Race to the Top??

Members,
Many of us are alarmed by the recent "Race to the Top" push by our state and national governments. Take a moment to check out the following websites:

http://www.ed.gov/programs/racetothetop/index.html

www.michigan.gov/mde-recovery


One of the forms districts are being asked to sign has a letter attached from Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. One portion of the letter reads "Because the USED had accelerated the application process for states, we cannot provide you all the details of the state's plan at this time . . . We understand that you will be taking a leap of faith with this agreement . . . " They're asking districts to sign a "contract" before knowing the details. Do you know a single lawyer on the planet that would encourage his client to do such a thing? Visit the websites. Be an informed educator!

Homecoming Parade Friday 4:45, Come On Out, KEA!

Once again we would love to have you come out and join us for the walk in the Homecoming Parade. Parade starts at 4:45 in Pinewood's Bus Lot. Bring a bag of candy to throw if you can, and join the fun. Kentwood parents and kids love to see us out there.

Pinewood Teacher Gets the Facts. Are You Outraged?

Carl Morris, 8th Grade Science Teacher at Pinewood, talked to State Senator Wayne Kuiper's office about the budget. He was was told that the State of Michigan spent $47.9 billion dollars in fiscal 2009, compared to $43.9 billion in 2008. the state budget went up 9.1%. the state spent 3% less on k-12 education.
Reviewing the facts:
2008 State Budget $43.9 Billion
2009 State Budget $47.9 Billion
Increase in State Budget +9.1%
Decrease in K-12 Spending - 3%

Call the Governor, Call your Rep and Senator! This DOES NOT MAKE SENSE!

Budget Cuts Loom, Contact your Legislators!

It is definitely a call to action, we need to let Lansing hear our voice that the political games involving education needs to end. Make sure you check out the facts and make the contact, because the effects on our schools will be devastating if the current proposals pass.

Problems With Speaker Dillon's Plan

From www.MEA.org August 4, 2009

Concerns with Speaker Dillon’s Health Care Proposal include:

NATIONAL HEALTH CARE REFORM

We do not believe Michigan should be initiating major changes in the structure of health care at a time when a national health care reform is among the highest priorities for President Obama and the United States Congress.

• It makes more sense to see what transpires at the federal level and then determine what Michigan should do to take full advantage of any opportunities provided.

ALLEGED SAVINGS OF $880 MILLION

The information on local units of government is particularly questionable and we would like to see the data that supports the $880 million savings.

• This plan will not reduce the 2010 fiscal budget year deficit.

• The cost estimate of $15 - $20 million to administer health benefits for all school districts, community colleges, and local government employees and retirees as well as the other new and major responsibilities for the State Employer seems extremely low.

• Given the large number of school districts, community colleges, and local employees, most of any savings that occur would accrue to these employers and not help the state with its budget deficit.

• These employers, as well as the State of Michigan, (as an employer) are already seeing savings through benefit cuts and cost sharing, to the financial detriment of public employees.

• The $400 - $600 million savings your plan estimates comes from reduced coverage and cost shifts.

BENEFIT COMPARISONS

The November 2008 HFA Study on "Civil Service Salary and Benefit Comparisons" is cited extensively on page 4 of the proposal; however, little notice was paid to the same report indicating the overall costs of state employee health care now falls below private sector health care costs.

• As the report notes, starting in October 2008 state employees began to pay "more than double the amount paid in the previous year."

The Kaiser 2008 “Employer Health Benefit Survey” and Michigan State Benefit websites clearly show that Michigan active state employee benefit plans are about average when compared to state employee plans in the surrounding states.

• A savings of $400 - $600 million cannot be realized by reducing Michigan public employees’ benefits levels to the average of the surrounding states, because they are already receiving average benefit levels as compared to surrounding states.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

It is an inherent contradiction to speak of a single "portfolio of health care plans" while stating that the proposal will maintain the process of collective bargaining for public sector employees, whether they are covered under the Public Employees Relations Act, PA 312 or Civil Service rules.

• As your report implies, there are thousands of different collective bargaining units across the state.

• These cover a wide spectrum of employment responsibilities, some of which have intrinsic medical risks.

• What kind of process could be envisioned to bargain with all of these bargaining units and their employers?

EMPLOYER CONCESSIONS

In many instances, public employers have had financial reasons for supporting the trade-offs between wages and benefits that occur.

• Insurance costs, unlike salaries, are not subject to FICA and are not included in the compensation used to determine pensions.

• Forcing employee health care costs into a "one size fits all" or even "several sizes fits some" mode will reduce the ability to make such tradeoffs, which have been helpful in preserving the relatively amicable labor relationships Michigan's public sector has enjoyed during the past decade.

• Public sector employees have negotiated millions of dollars in concessions including unpaid furlough days and workforce reductions to protect their health care.

Your Health Care and Bargaining Rights Are Under Attack

MEA Votes E-Newsletter — July 17, 2009

Your health benefits and bargaining rights are under attack

If you haven't contacted House Speaker Andy Dillon and your state representative yet, what are you waiting for?

Regardless of the health care you've bargained with your school district, under Speaker Dillon's plan, you'll be bargaining with the state--they'll determine what benefits you should have.

You've already given enough! E-mail and phone Speaker Dillon and your representative NOW! See the Legislative Contacts on the left side of the Blog.

Also, include the following legislators in your lobbying efforts. Encourage them to withhold their support of Dillon's plan:

Rep. Pam Byrnes
Rep. Tim Melton
Rep. Mark Meadows
Rep. Kathy Angerer

Talking Points to consider.

Contact Dillon and your state representative immediately. Tell them:

• This proposal is anti-school employee, anti-collective bargaining and anti-union.
• The state isn't capable of managing the programs it has, as evidenced by the current economic and budget crisis in Michigan. How can it run a statewide health insurance pool?
• Where are the savings Speaker Dillon expects coming from? How can we trust these numbers if the government can't even get the budget settled?
• This program jeopardizes the health and security of all school employees and their families.
• This proposal eliminates local control and destroys collective bargaining rights that school employees have had for generations.
• As a school employee, I already pay for my benefits and I have given up salary and other benefits to save my school district and the state money. I already do my part in being fiscally responsible.
• In addition to being a school employee, I am also a taxpayer. This plan doesn't save me any money as Dillon suggests. It simply shifts the cost to me.

Early Childhood Education Under Attack

Once again, education funding is at risk. Please read the email I received and act now!

Please sign by clicking on "petition" and forward this to friends. It may help save our preschool funding. THANK YOU!

Action Alert

July 7, 2009

Dear Early Childhood Advocate,

Dramatic cuts to critical early childhood programs are under final discussion in the state legislature. All state funded preschool and parent education programs have been eliminated in a bill recently passed by the state Senate in Lansing. If the Michigan House concurs with the Senate and the Governor signs it into law, the future of young children and all of us involved in early childhood programs are at risk. We must act now to make sure that these proven, cost effective programs continue.

Join others who believe that early childhood programs need continued funding. Complete the petition by 2:00 PM Monday, July 13, 2009 or go to http://www.miaeyc.org/. Each legislator will receive a copy of the petition and a list of those signing it.

You can also call your legislators by dialing (517) 373-0135 to speak to your senator or (517) 373-0135 to speak to your representative. To find your State Representative and his/her mailing address and email address, go to http://www.house.michigan.gov/ . To find your State Senator and his/her mailing address and email address, go to http://www.senate.michigan.gov/ .

Legislators will be in their home districts and will return to session July 14, 2009.
Please email this petition to your friends, families, and community members. The legislature needs to know that many people care about these programs. For further information, please visit the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children website at http://www.miaeyc.org/ or call the office at 1-800-336-6424. Thank you for supporting young children!

Sincerely,

Tammy Arakenlian
Public Policy Chair
MiAEYC
4572 S. Hagadorn Rd. Ste 1D
East Lansing, MI 48823-5385
Fax: 517-336-9790
Phone: 517-336-9700