Why is the MEA Involved in Politics?

Why is the MEA involved in politics? Why should educators worry about who gets elected?

Here are six good answers:

1. Protection of public schools is now a fundamental task of the Association. With the radical right making repeated political attacks on our schools at the state and national level, educators must defend their programs against vouchers, school choice, and privatization efforts. MEA has led the way in proclaiming the success of Maine schools and defeating attempts to displace public schools as the cornerstone of our democracy.

2. Funding for K-12 schools, the University of Maine, and Technical College Systems is largely dependent upon the good will of state legislators. The health and prosperity of your program, salary, and benefits is directly tied to votes on school funding. MEA is a strong proponent for more funding and is often the only voice for student needs.

3. Protection and repair of the Maine State Retirement System (MSRS) is a constant political battle. In 1991 and 1993 the Governor and Maine Legislature raided the MSRS for hundreds of millions of educator dollars. MEA has been fighting in the courts and legislature ever since to repair the damage. In this last session of the Legislature, the Senate failed to pass an MEA constitutional amendment protecting employee benefit plans by just one vote. One vote would have made all the difference.

4. What you teach and how you do your job is the result of political decisions. School reform, Learning Results, teacher licensure, and educational technician authorization are all directly tied to votes by politicians. Administering medications, dealing with violent students, and the structure and governance of higher education are all dictated by legislative action or inaction. If MEA isn't involved, decisions about school curricula, teaching methodologies, student assessment, and graduation requirements will be made without regard for educator interests.

5. Protection of the MEA Health Plan with Blue Cross/Blue Shield requires constant vigilance. Legislators have attempted to raid the MEA Plan so they can dilute the insurance coverage and raise employee contribution rates. Without MEA lobbying efforts, educators and their families would pay much more for much less health insurance coverage.

6. Protection of employee rights is always a question as conservatives seek to erode educators' bargaining rights, extend probationary periods, hire uncertified personnel, impose merit pay, and add new parental rights laws that would raise havoc in the classroom. MEA lobbies hard to counteract these extremist views.