Author Archives: chadphillips

State Rep. Bizzare Response Says Teachers Not Subject to Right to Work

Posted on September 2, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareVice President Joe Biden is often called a “gaffe-machine.”  Here in Michigan we have our own gaffe master in Representative Phil Potvin.  Potvin represents the 102nd district which runs up the 131 corridor from Big Rapids through Reed City, Cadillac, and ends … Continue reading →

Posted in Phil Potvin | 1 Comment

Warrant Issued for CEO of Company that Fled Michigan for Florida’s Tax Breaks

Posted on August 15, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareMichigan Populist reported in June that BlueWare, a company that left Michigan to capture Florida’s tax giveaways, is being sued by the Florida County of Brevard.  Now, BlueWare CEO Rose Harr, a lobbyist named William Matthew Dupree, and a former State Representative and clerk … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Posthumus Lyons is Michigan’s Least Ethical Legislator

Posted on July 2, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareRepublican Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons, who calls herself a “proud product of public education,” chairs the education committee for the State House.  She made headlines most recently with her quip “pigs get fat, and hogs get slaughtered” in reference to teachers … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Company that Shunned Michigan for Florida’s Tax Giveaways Now Being Sued By Florida County

Posted on June 20, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareIn May of 2012, a company called BlueWare, or anyone of a number of “affiliate” names, announced it was relocating its company from Cadillac to Melbourne, Florida.  Melbourne, located in Brevard County, is in an area of Florida known as the “space coast” because it is home to the Kennedy Space Center.  The space … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

House Republicans Move Forward Anti-Teacher Legislation Despite Objections From Almost Every Educational Group in the State

Posted on May 22, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareThe House Education Committee passed a bill today (HB4625) that would institute merit pay for new teachers or for those wanting to opt into the merit pay system.  The bill would become law when the Michigan Council on Educator Effectiveness, whose members are all … Continue reading →

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Fixing the Roads: The Issues, the Numbers, and Why Schools are Being Dragged Into the Mess

Posted on May 21, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareA recent town hall meeting on road funding in Wexford County revealed a lot about the condition of our roads.  It also revealed the most likely scenario for funding ongoing road repairs. County Road Association of Michigan Deputy Director Ed Noyola set the … Continue reading →

Posted in Poor, Schools, Taxes | Leave a comment

George Bush/Dick DeVos Charter School Fundraiser Highlights Disturbing Future of Public Schools

Posted on May 17, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareGeorge W. Bush and school privatization advocate Dick DeVos teamed up to raise over $400,000 for the West Michigan Aviation Academy this week.  West Michigan Aviation Academy (WMAA) is a public charter high school that already receives more money per pupil from the state than 511 of Michigan’s … Continue reading →

Posted in DeVos Family, Schools | Leave a comment

Showing the Math: Republicans Interference with Collective Bargaining Does More Harm Than Good

Posted on May 2, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareIn 2011 Michigan Republican Legislators passed Public Act 152.  The law capped the amount of money a public employer can pay for its employee’s health insurance.  The law also impacted people who choose not to take the health insurance and instead take a cash amount in lieu … Continue reading →

Posted in Collective Bargaining, Schools | Leave a comment

No Foolin’: Mackinac Center Wants to Create a Second Class of Teachers

Posted on April 1, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareThe Mackinac Center continues to put forth wild ideas in the name of “free market” and “limited government.”  Churning out propaganda paid for by the super rich Dick DeVos’ of the world wouldn’t be a problem if our inept state legislators were smart enough to … Continue reading →

Posted in DeVos Family, Right-to-Work, Schools | Leave a comment

Chamber President Slams Schools, Says Remediated Students Should Be Able To Sue

Posted on February 28, 2013 by chadphillips

ShareLocal school districts and local businesses are typically die hard supporters of each other. However, the organization that represents many of these local businesses at the state level, the Chamber of Commerce, is not a supporter of public schools.  Rich Studley, the President of the Michigan … Continue reading →

Posted in Chamber of Commerce, Schools | Leave a comment