#RedforEd Action Saturdays
Sep 16, 2018
Join fellow educators and retirees from the MEA and AFT-Michigan all over the state to talk to voters about what's at stake in the November 6 election, and ask them to commit to vote for candidates who will stand up for public education.
It has never been more important to get involved in whom we send to represent us. We must fight back against the horrendous policies of Betsy DeVos and Rick Snyder that have undermined public education at every step possible.
We will have coffee, donuts, training, and a brief rally with endorsed candidates before we hit doors and phones to turn out the vote. You can find out other ways to help these candidates as well and sign up to work between your Action Saturday and the election.
We're going to be using smartphones and tablets to gather information, so please bring a fully charged smartphone or tablet if you have one. If you don't, come anyway!
The events are listed below - click on the "RSVP here" link to sign up and get more information.
September 22nd at 9am in Plymouth: RSVP here
September 22nd at 9am in Traverse City: RSVP here
September 29th at 9am in Marquette: RSVP here
September 29th at 9am in Taylor: RSVP here
September 29th at 9am in Lake Orion: RSVP here
September 29th at 1pm in Houghton: RSVP here
October 6th at 9am in Kalamazoo: RSVP here
October 6th at 9am in Sterling Heights: RSVP here
October 13th at 9am in Detroit: RSVP here
October 13th at 1pm in East Lansing: RSVP here
October 20th at 9am in Flint: RSVP here
October 20th at 9am in Dearborn: RSVP here
October 27th at 9am in Muskegon: RSVP here
October 27th at 9am in Ann Arbor: RSVP here
October 27th at 9am in Commerce Twp.: RSVP here
If you have any questions please contact Eli Isaguirre at eisaguirre@mea.org or call 810-516-5260.
MEA Board Votes to Support Four Ballot Measures
Sep 05, 2018
At their last meeting, MEA’s Board of Directors voted to support four of the ballot measures that should appear on the November ballot and recommend that our members and other supporters of public education vote YES on these proposals.
Here is what MEA President Paula Herbart had to say about the four ballot measures that MEA is supporting:
Voters Not Politicians – Redistricting Reform:
“MEA is proud to support Proposal 2, the grassroots campaign started by Voters Not Politicians to end partisan gerrymandering in Michigan. Right now, politicians and lobbyists draw voting maps that directly benefit themselves, diminishing the voice of voters in protecting the interests of our communities. Proposal 2 will bring the redistricting process out into the open to create a transparent, nonpartisan, and citizen-driven Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. That way, our elected officials will be more accountable to us – the voters. Proposal 2 is an important first step in fixing some of our state’s most pressing issues.”
One Fair Wage – Minimum Wage Increase:
“We support having one fair wage for workers – a wage that’s enough for them to meet the needs of their families. This proposal to raise the minimum wage to $12 an hour will help more than 1.1 million low wage workers in Michigan, many of whom help educate Michigan students. Too many school support staff and others in the education field earn at or near minimum wage – this measure will raise compensation for dedicated education professionals while helping to recruit and retain the best and brightest in these positions.”
MI Time To Care – Earned Paid Sick Time:
“We are proud to recommend a YES vote on the earned paid sick time proposal. Nearly 2 million Michiganders don’t have access to earned paid sick time, forcing them to make difficult choices when they or their child are ill. Our members often see the effects of the problem first-hand – witnessing students who attend school sick and possibly infecting other students and educators. We can do better and join other states who have already passed earned paid sick time.”
Promote the Vote – Voting Reforms:
“As educators, we understand the importance of having a secure voting system that works for all citizens. We support Promote the Vote because it’s a common sense approach to improving our voting process while increasing security around our elections. We talk to our students about the fundamentals of democracy – participation and integrity – and this measure will improve both when it comes to Michigan’s voting systems and rights.”
What You Need to Know About the REAL ID Program
Aug 28, 2018
Beginning October 1,2020 the federal government will start requiring Michigan residents to show a REAL-ID compliant document when boarding domestic flights. If you don’t have a valid U.S. Passport or Enhanced Driver’s License or state ID card, you will not be able to board a domestic flight.
The good news is that you may already have an acceptable REAL-ID document, like a valid U.S. passport, a passport card, an Enhanced Driver’s License, or a U.S. Military ID
Your driver’s license or state ID or READ if it has a star circled in gold printed in the upper right hand corner of your card, or if you have an Enhanced Driver’s License or state ID card which has a small American Flag printed on it. When you get your renewal notice in the mail it will state whether or not your license or state ID is REAL-ID Compliant.
State to Appeal Ruling Granting Additional Interest from 3% Case
Aug 28, 2018
According to court paperwork, the state will appeal a recent ruling that education employees were owed additional interest on the 3 percent of their salary illegally withheld from them from 2010-12.
This is the latest delay in justice regarding the 3 percent case, which public education employees won last year at the Supreme Court which unanimously upheld the decision after a seven-year legal fight. Last month, the Court of Claims ruled that education employees who had their 3 percent returned to them were owed more interest under Michigan law than the meager amount actually given to them.
Attorney General Bill Schuette fought the request for additional interest that was filed with the Court of Claims earlier this year. However, lawyers from the Dykema firm filed the latest appeal paperwork — they represented the state and Gov. Rick Snyder when Schuette declined to appeal the final round in the original case (at a cost to taxpayers of more than $380,000).
“Gov. Snyder and Attorney General Schuette shouldn’t even contemplate appealing this ruling and must expedite payment of money owed to the hard-working school employees of our state,” said MEA President Paula Herbart in a press release with other union leaders urging the state to not appeal this recent victory for educators.
MEA will continue to work with other unions to fight this latest appeal and get education employees the money you are owed from the state
Labor Voices: No public tax dollars for private schools You are here:
Aug 24, 2018
By PAULA HERBART/President – Michigan Education Association
"In 2000, Betsy DeVos suffered a spectacular loss at the polls in her attempt to get private school vouchers funded by state taxpayers. Nearly 70 percent of Michigan voters rejected that year’s DeVos-funded ballot measure, which ended her push for public funding of private and religious schools.
Or did it?
Fast forward to 2016, when Republicans in Lansing – many recipients of DeVos campaign contributions – paid tribute to her by inserting a $2.5 million appropriation for private schools into the 2016-17 School Aid Act. They did it again in the 2017-18 state budget, earmarking another $2.5 million to nonpublic schools."
Click here to read the entire article
