Happy Holidays from your Executive Board
Lamphere Federation of Teachers
MFT&SRP #1614
December 2003
Happy Holidays from your Executive Board
VISIT THE UNION MALL FOR YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING
Do your holiday shopping at The Union Mall,
at http://www.nosweatshop.com/,
a single, secure Web site with links to other Web sites for retailers of certified
union-made products, including clothing for men, women and children. The mall features
union-made apparel from Justice Clothing, No Sweat Apparel, SweatX, Union Jean and Apparel
Union Threads and Unionwear. Also check out the AFL-CIO's Union Shop Online
for access to additional clothing and gifts, including holiday cards, mugs, ornaments and
more.
SOCIAL GATHERING--Note Change!!
Mark your calendar for January 30th, 2004. The LFT will be
sponsoring a social after work at Marinelli's. The cost will be $12. We encourage everyone
to attend. See your building rep for more details.
STATE BUDGET CRISES WORSEN DESPITE ECONOMIC UPTURN
The Bush administration's overall strategy to permanently reduce the role of the federal
government is likely to worsen the budget crises for states even if the economy begins to
recover, say fiscal policy experts. A variety of speakers delivered the bad news to public
employee unions and other state budget experts gathered in Washington, D.C., last month
for a state funding conference sponsored by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
(CBPP). Despite recent declines in the jobless rate, the much-touted economic rebound will
not fill the gaps in state funding, they warned. With federal aid accounting for more than
25 percent of most states' general funds, the Bush administration's tax cuts and other
cuts to discretionary programs, particularly human services, will shift more
responsibility for services and programs to the states. CBPP estimates that policies
enacted under the Bush administration will cost states $185 billion between 2002 and 2005.
John Podesta, former chief of staff for President Clinton who now heads the Center for
American Progress, a nonpartisan research and educational institute, noted that the
tax-free savings and retirement vehicles that will be part of President Bush's fiscal 2005
budget proposal will chip away at state and federal tax receipts by providing tax shelters
that would mainly benefit wealthy individuals who have the disposable income to save. Such
programs would "move the tax base to wage workers," Podesta warned.
Reminder About Purchasing Service Credits
A reminder - the
deadline for purchasing service credits toward retirement before the new rules take
effect, is December 31, 2003. If the paper work has been started members will be
under the old rules. Complete information is available on the MFT&SRP web site -
www.mftsrp.org - including who to contact
to get started. Purchasing time now will mean a significant savings to members.
As of this posting the budget is still not settled. Contact your state rep to let
them know how budget cuts would affect the education of children in your classroom. There
are links to legislators at the MFT&SRP webpage, as well as the Michigan Electronic
Library.
January Regional Conference Locations
Just a reminder to mark
your calendar for the upcoming MFT&SRP Regional Conference. Conference agendas and
registration materials will be going out soon. Conferences are free to all members and
have been approved for CEU credits by the state, for the purposes of professional
development.
January 24, 2004
Detroit Regional
Conference
Southfield Westin
Have a wonderful and restful holiday.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Schram, LFT Vice-President
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