Focusing on improving and protecting public schools
With the bang of a gavel on Wednesday, January 4th, the second session of the 125th Maine Legislature commenced. As their first order of business all legislative committees are being asked by the Speaker of the House Robert Nutting and the Senate President Kevin Raye to finish all "carry over" bills by the end of January. Carry-over bills are those that were introduced during the 2011 session but did not receive final action. MEA is closely monitoring several carry-over bills: LD 309: An Act to make Voluntary Membership in a Public Employee Labor Organization in the State, sponsored by Representative Tom Winsor (Norway). This is a modified "right to work" bill that could include provisions having a negative impact on MEA and local associations, such as making it illegal to collect dues after a contract expires. MEA has consistently taken a position that issues, such as dues deduction, should be bargained at the local level between local unions and their school boards. There is no compelling reason for the legislature to interfere in any way with MEA's ability to represent its members. LD 309 followed a tumultuous path last session when it applied broadly to private and public sector employees and, while various changes and amendments were made to the original bill, the legislature could take the issue up again and anything can happen. MEA will watch LD 309 closely and members are encouraged to stay tuned and become involved in the debate if necessary. LD 1237: An Act to Prohibit Bullying in Schools, sponsored by Representative Terry Morrison (South Portland). This bill would require school districts to work with teachers and educators to develop plans that address bullying and cyber-bullying. Specifically, it requires principals to be the designated point-person in their schools who is responsible for addressing bullying when it happens. The bill, as currently written, also requires teachers and other school employees to report acts of bullying when they see them. Obviously, this bill is in response to tragic and well-publicized events that happened around the country in which bullying resulted in student suicides. Research has shown that bullying and cyber-bullying have an adverse impact on student learning and kids who are bullied often have a negative view of school and are more likely to miss school or be disconnected from the school day. Maine School Management Association, which represents school boards and superintendents, opposes LD 1237. MEA supports LD 1237 and is working with allies around the state to ensure its passage. "This bill is about one thing: keeping our kids safe," MEA President Chris Galgay told a panel of interested parties working on the bill. "We can make excuses for why this is a bad bill, or we can make sure that every school district in this state is doing what it can to protect our kids when they are on the bus or in our schools." The Education Committee is considering revisions in the bill and a committee vote is expected by mid- to late January. LD 513: RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine to More Equitably Fund the Liabilities of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System, submitted by Senator Thomas Saviello (Franklin). Working with our friend Senator Tom Saviello (R-Franklin), MEA supports a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment to change the accounting basis for funding teacher pensions under the Maine Public Employee Retirement System. Due to an earlier constitutional amendment, all liabilities of the retirement fund, including the previously accrued unfunded liability, must be paid off by 2028. This bill would change the pay-off date by creating a "rolling system" to pay off the debt, much like extending the terms of your mortgage. Maine is the only state that has a constitutional requirement to pay off the debt by a fixed date. Teachers and public employees may be adversely impacted if this amendment is not enacted as the mandated payments for debt service could rise sharply if this or a future recession has any further negative impact on the stock market. In the 2011 legislative session, Governor Paul LePage and the legislature used this pretext of a "debt crisis" to make cuts in the benefits of current and future retirees-and they may do so again if the payment schedule is not made more flexible. "While the last session was difficult for educators, MEA members and our public schools, the MEA holds great hope that this 2012 session will focus on improving and protecting our public schools," says President Galgay. "We are looking forward to working with the governor and legislative leaders to focus on proven and effective ways to protect, promote and advance student learning in every school in our state." If you have questions or wish to be involved in MEA's government relations program, contact John Kosinski by calling (800) 622-4418 ext. 2217 or email jkosinski@nea.org.
Legislative Action
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