BLOOMINGTON FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
NEWSLETTER ELECTION EDITION
President Message
As we get closer to election day, I get prepared for the phone calls and emails asking me who they should vote for. It is always a question that makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. How can I answer this question for all the members?
Don't get me wrong. I don't mind the inquiries. Colleagues, friends and family members know that I really try to stay on top of the issues as they relate to public education. But as much as I want to encourage members to do their own research, I am painfully aware that time is a precious commodity in a educator's life. Inevitably, I end up prefacing my suggestions with "If you want public education to be the focus of your vote, I would vote for the following candidates...."
My hope is this Election Edition offers members a chance to find the quick answers as well as give some resources for those that like research. Remember, this is done through a pro-public education lens. Now more than ever, this vote will determine your teaching and working conditions. The correlation between teacher pay and your vote has never been stronger when it comes to the midterms.
So here is my advice when voting in the midterms: Look to the east when choosing your next governor. Since Wisconsin has significantly curtailed the bargaining power of public sector unions (ACT 10 in 2010), the median teacher income of combined salary and benefits was $10, 843 lower. Do you want to be Wisconsin or do you want to live in a state that values education and educators?
Wendy Marczak
Vote like your job depends on it because it does.
Local Educators Choose Endorsed Candidates
SUPPORT WALZ/FLANAGAN FOR GOVERNOR!
Tim Walz is Education Minnesota's and the majority of other labor unions endorsed candidate for Governor. He is a teacher from Mankato that has been serving in congress for the past several years. Tim will be a huge supporter of public education just like Governor Dayton has been. Tim will prioritize education funding coming from the state. Tim states that communities should not be reliant entirely on the local property taxes to fund schools--that's a recipe for racial and geographic disparity.