Michigan Tackles Right-to-Work, Education, and Emergency Managers

The Michigan state legislature is currently in the middle of a lame duck session that will last through the end of the year. Much of the political agenda that is likely to define 2013 has already been set, however, with the Republican majority pushing controversial legislation regarding right-to-work, a proposed overhaul to the state's education system, and the follow-up to the repealed Public Act 4 (P.A. 4), Michigan's attempt at a new emergency financial manager law.

Right-to-work

Gov. Rick Snyder had in the past repeatedly said that he had no interest in pursuing right-to-work legislation. But in the elections Nov. 6, voters shot down Proposal 2, an amendment that would have enshrined the right of Michigan workers to unionize in the state's constitution.

Last Thursday, Republicans introduced right-to-work bills in both chambers of the state Legislature, igniting a huge controversy and a public outcry. While the legislation itself may pass this coming Tuesday, expect the issues to be ongoing, as Democrats and union leaders have told the Associated Press and other outlets that they will continue their opposition.

Overhaul of Michigan's Education System

On Nov. 19, the Oxford Foundation provided Snyder with a proposal to dramatically change the way that Michigan's public schools are funded. Dubbed the Michigan Public Education Finance Act of 2013, it aims to replace the existing School Aid Act of 1979.

Among the measures that the act proposes are an increase in online options and funding, performance-based funding for all courses, the use of an "Average Daily Membership" system rather than the traditional twice-yearly "Count Day," and removal of "district ownership" of a student and the funding to educate them. Last week, Michigan Radio reported that Republicans are "committed to passing an overhaul to public education" before the end of 2012, but this issue is likely to overlap into the new year.

P.A. 4's Successor

After the Nov. 6 elections, Snyder told MLive and other media outlets that he was "disappointed" with the decision of the state's voters to shoot down P.A. 4, the new emergency financial manager law that he had signed in 2011, and that he wanted to draft a replacement. This past Thursday, the Associated Press reported that a state House panel approved such a measure, which will now move to the House floor for consideration, although the debate over replacing P.A. 4 will likely continue into 2013.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/michigan-tackles-education-emergency-managers-174900242.html

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