For Immediate Release                                                     Contact: AFT NM President Stephanie Ly

2/17/2014                                                                      

SENATE RULES COMMITTEE VOTES NOT TO CONFIRM HANNA SKANDERA AS EDUCATION SECRETARY

Call and email members of the Senate Rules Committee today and tell them to VOTE NOT to recommend the confirmation of Secretary-designate Skandera. Our education system should be led by qualified and experienced educators who respect students, parents, educators and our communities. We need leadership that acts in the interest of students, not private companies!

Although this was officially Valentine's Week, we weren't feeling much love up here in Tallahassee.  Legislators are once again starting their attack on the Florida Retirement System.  This week a bill was filed in the Senate which would create what is called a "cash balance" plan (more below).  Rumors indicate there are more FRS 'reform' bills to come.  It seems that legislators just can't keep their hands off your retirement!  The first hearing of the new bill is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19 in the Senate Community Affairs Committee at 2 p.m.

Febuaruy 2014 Newsletter

That’s right. Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley has submitted a budget that calls for reducing the state’s contribution to the pension plan by $100 million dollars a year.

That’s not fair! Click here to tell your legislators to vote against cutting the state's contribution to the pension fund.

Two years ago, that state required you to increase your contribution to the employee pension fund. In return, the legislature promised to contribute $300 million per year to that fund. Now, Governor O’Malley is breaking that promise. There are several problems with the governor’s proposal:

The Board of Regents met on Feb. 10th and were poised to vote on some course corrections. The vote was held on Feb 11th with regard to the rollout of Common Core, state tests and APPR.  You can read the press release and the proposed changes here.  http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/regents-adjust-common-core-implementation.html

AFT NEW MEXICO PRESIDENT STEPHANIE LY CALLS ON THE GOVERNOR AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL COMPROMISE AND STOP HOLDING UP THE STATE BUDGET OVER FUNDING FOR FAILED REFORMS.

Wednesday, the House moved House Bill 2 back to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee (HAFC), where Republicans will have another chance to reach a meaningful compromise and allow the budget process to move forward.

In December 2013, EMU issued layoff notices to 10 of the 11 Full-Time Lecturers in the College of Education.

In February 2014, EMUFT began a petition drive to save those jobs.  Find information about these actions at:

Ann Arbor News - Majority of Full-Time Education Lecturers Get Notices