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SB 1040 rears its ugly head again

Posted on 07/16/12 at 2:27pm

When the Legislature returns for one day on July 18, it's expected the Senate will take up the unfinished business of SB 1040. While the House passed its version of the bill, the Senate adjourned on June 14 before taking any action.
The Senate will take up the House version which includes the prefunding of the retirement system, giving new hires the option of a defined contribution plan, and a freezing of the retirement rate for school districts. All along, there have been Senators interested in forcing all new hires into a defined contribution plan, but at issue is the cost of such a move. The House version calls for a study analyzing the cost benefit.

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Seven ballot proposals heighten importance of Nov. election

Posted on 07/16/12 at 2:29pm

On Nov. 6, voters will be deciding the fate of seven ballot proposals--six constitutional amendments and one law repeal. The last time there was this many proposals on the ballot was 1982, when three constitutional amendments and three laws were being voted on.

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700,000 voices need to be heard

Posted on 07/05/12 at 12:29pm

Citizens Protecting Michigan's Constitution (CPMC) will take their opposition to the Protect Our Jobs petition to court to prevent the issue from being on the Nov. ballot after the Secretary of State (SOS) declined the group’s earlier request.

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Just the facts on funding, salaries, pensions

Posted on 07/05/12 at 12:30pm

Talk of education reform in Michigan eventually turns to per pupil funding and the salaries and benefits of school employees.  Budget talks this year showed legislators intent on reforming how the state funds its schools and how it pays its teacher. But the data shows that Michigan isn’t leading the pack when it comes to the funding of schools and pensions or teacher salaries.

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Detroit EM imposes teacher contract

Posted on 07/02/12 at 3:34pm

Roy Roberts, the state-appointed Emergency Manager for the Detroit public schools, has imposed a contract on teachers. According to PA 4, the Emergency Manager has the power to void current contracts and make changes to working conditions. Details of the new contract won't be available until AFT Michigan meets with its members.

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