When legislative reform of the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System promised to cap school districts’ contributions at a flat 24.46 percent of payroll, many administrators reached for something else to uncap, in celebration. However, months later, with challenges to the reforms working their way through the courts, the bottle being opened might be holding […]
MEA
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad calls foul on Responsible Voters' presentation
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: League of Responsible Voters Who: Michigan League of Responsible Voters What: Website and mailer Truth Squad call: Foul This is the time, during election season, when groups from across the political spectrum try to break through the cacophony of competing voices by offering “vote this way” guides. One, from the Michigan […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Special-interest money floods ballot-measure efforts
Voters could see as many as seven proposals to amend the Michigan Constitution or state law on this November’s ballot – or none at all. Bureaucratic and legal reviews continue of the various proposals. Regardless of how they play out, though, Michigan has seen an unprecedented surge of spending to collect signatures and advance ideas […]
Posted inMichigan Government
GOP fix for MPSERS calls for bigger checks from teachers, retirees
The way state Rep. Rick Olson sees it, there are only three places to find a solution to financial problems in the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System. “Increased contribution by employees, reductions in benefits — or find a magical money tree somewhere,” the Saline Republican said. With no magic to call on, a group […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Political physics pulls us back to the center
It wasn’t a revolution — but it just might signify a sea change. I’m referring to the results of the Nov. 8 off-year elections, which were anxiously scrutinized for possible indicators of public mood. Would that message be a continuation of 2010’s sharp tilt to the Tea Party-driven right — or a cautionary tale about […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Recall election didn't resolve anything
By Peter Luke Gov. Rick Snyder’s campaign vow to change the political culture that governs Lansing suffered the same dismal fate as former Rep. Paul Scott this week. The Grand Blanc Republican surrendered his office Wednesday less than 12 hours after conceding that he’d been recalled by voters of the 51st House District by a […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Momentum builds at Capitol for teacher tenure changes
(Originally published June 21, 2011) Over the past two years, the State Tenure Commission has sided with the school district in every case where the district sought to fire a teacher specifically for poor performance in the classroom. All four. And of the 32 total cases ruled on by the commission between January 2009 […]