"Right to Teach?" Not Fooling Anyone.

By Joshua Pugh/Progress Michigan

After spending the last few months demagoguing about introducing so-called  “Right To Work” laws that would destroy what’s left of the manufacturing base in this state and pull down the wages of the middle class, the state Senate, led by Sen. Randy Richardville, has introduced “Right To Work” legislation, with a devious twist.

The law is aimed specifically at teachers, and is nothing more than a blatant attack on those who are educating our state’s next generation of leaders. 

There is no economic case that can be made to defend singling out one profession, and no precedent for the legislature attacking working Michiganders in this way. This can only be seen as serving one purpose: furthering the personal and political goals of Sen. Richardville and Michigan Republicans.

Republicans claim to be focused on job creation and “reinventing” Michigan, but are obviously distracted by an opportunity to play politics with legislation. Instead of laying out a real plan to promote our state’s economy and create jobs, Sen. Richardville is trying to use teachers as scapegoats for Michigan’s economic problems and to justify his own misguided legislative priorities. 

Sen. Richardville is on record saying he doesn’t support "Right To Work," but is willing to support it when it entails legislative payback, singling out one group of people - apparently for nothing more than their political opinions. 

Students join protests over cuts

by Ray Kisonas

A Lansing subcommittee on education funding has proposed reinstating $200 million to public schools that would reduce cuts by $130 a pupil.

That reduction could help ease but not eliminate the pain of cuts that have been the source of protests across Michigan, including Monroe.

In its proposal, the Senate’s Subcommittee on Appropriations for K-12 Funding reinstated $130 per pupil, which would reduce the amount of cuts from $470 to $340. Today, the full appropriations committee is expected to vote on the proposal.

On Wednesday, a House subcommittee recommended that schools be cut next year by an additional 3.9 percent — a reduction that would range from $285 to $331 a student, depending on what districts now receive from the state.

Proposals vary between Gov. Rick Snyder and Republicans who control the state Legislature.

Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, said he is confident the Senate committee’s plan will be supported and he is expecting committees to further reduce the proposed cuts to education.

“I think it’s very solid,” Sen. Richardville said this morning. “There is a degree of hope out there.”

In the meantime, rallies have been held in Lansing and Monroe as supporters loudly voice their concern over the cuts, which would mean millions of fewer dollars for schools in Monroe County. On Wednesday, several Monroe High School students held their own rally to protest the cuts.

Debate teacher Deb Mau said her students came up with the idea to hold the rally during class discussions regarding whether education is a privilege or a right.

She said the students decided on their own to protest the cuts and she did not encourage them to walk along Telegraph and other streets holding signs after school.

“I would never ask a child to fight for my political beliefs,” Ms. Mau said. “One hundred percent of it was student run and operated. I wasn’t even out there.”

Sen. Richardville said he supported students who show passion on issues.

“I’m encouraged that they want to become more involved in the process,” he said. “I think it’s great.”

Community colleges face cuts, too. While the governor proposed holding funding steady for those institutions, the Senate appropriations committee voted for a 3.4 percent cut, while a House plan to be voted on would cut community colleges by 15 percent.