News & Events
MNA Legislative Update #2
05.06.2011
MNA/UMPNC Protests Snyder Budget Cuts
On Saturday, April 30th, MNA/UMPNC and other unions from across the state gathered in Ann Arbor to rally against Governor Snyder’s budget cuts before his commencement address at the University of Michigan football stadium. Voices were heard and displeasure was expressed over the recent trend of taxing the poor, lining the pockets of the rich, and union-busting. Thank you to all the MNA members who made an effort to come out early on a very cold morning to protest.
Budget
This past Wednesday, in an effort to move through the budget process as quickly as possible, the Michigan House of Representatives passed budgets for all of the state departments on an almost party-line vote. The budgets were voted on almost exactly as they had been reported from the House Appropriations Committee. The Democrats were upset with the lack of time they were given to review the 700-page budget and they felt that the cuts in it were much too harsh. The Republican response was that not only had the budgets cleared the committee process, but that the cuts were necessary to get the state’s economy back on track. The only Republican to side with the Democrats was Rep. Ken Kurtz.
Tax Package
Wednesday was also the day Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville – R referred the much talked about business and income tax change legislation to the Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing Committee. There had been speculation that the Majority Leader would skip the committee process and hold the bills on the Senate floor for a vote. His decision ultimately delays the process of voting this legislation into law.
Education Cuts
On Thursday, May 5, the Michigan House of Representatives passed legislation to cut aid to public schools, community colleges and universities for the 2012 budget year. It passed almost on a party-line vote, with six Republicans choosing to side with the Democrats. The legislation would cut the state’s per-student foundation grant by 3.5 percent, which would be in addition to the $170 per student cut that is already on the table. Community college funding would see a drastic cut of 15 percent, while four-year universities could lose 15 percent in state aid.
House Health Policy/Senate Health Policy
Legislation regarding the sale of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine has been introduced in both the House and Senate. SB 350 outlines the penalties for individuals purchasing the product with a false ID. HB 4564 outlines measures needed to prevent the over-selling of the product to individuals trying to make methamphetamine and the need for a statewide sales tracking system. The tracking system, NPLEx, is already in place and is administered by the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators. It is completely funded by pharmaceutical manufacturers, which means the state of Michigan is being given the chance to use it without having to spend any state or taxpayer money on it.
Bill to be aware of: HB 4588
HB 4588 is sponsored by Rep. Mike Shirkey – R. The legislation would prohibit a public employer from allowing their employees to pay their union dues through payroll deduction. This would directly impact MNA members at public health departments, U of M Hospital or other publically owned health systems who have their union dues regularly taken out of their paychecks. Yet again, we have another union-busting, anti-collective bargaining piece of legislation to contend with.
Staying informed is critical, as well as getting involved at the local level. Get yourself out there, call or write your legislators, let us help you set up in district meetings with them, and take some time to go to their monthly coffee hours. It is imperative that we all get involved and stay involved with this process.
