STATE BUDGET UPDATE

In an effort to close a $1 billion deficit for the current fiscal year, Governor Engler, prior to leaving office, cut higher education funding by 2.5%. For HFCC, this translated into a $580,000 cut in this year’s State aid.

Mr. Engler’s aggregate cuts in the State budget, however, covered only about one-half of this year’s $1 billion deficit. Governor Granholm will have to address the remaining deficit by cutting yet another $500,000 from this year’s State budget. The impact of the remaining 2003-04 State deficit on HFCC is still undetermined.

The bad news does not end with the State’s 2002-03 fiscal year. A $1.8 billion deficit is projected for the State’s 2003-04 fiscal year. This will produce a cut of 5% ($1 million) or more in HFCC’s State aid for 2003-04.

40% of HFCC’s budget derives from State revenue, and that revenue stream is clearly under severe pressure. In addition, HFCC’s entire operating millage – some 18% fo the College budget – is up for renewal next November. The daunting implications of all of this for HFCC are addressed in detail in the Local’s State of the Union Report.

John McDonald

LOBBY DAY

Given recent and upcoming cuts in HFCC’s State aid, the annual MFT&SRP Lobby Day is especially important to HFCC teachers this year.

Lobby Day affords teachers the opportunity to express their concerns and priorities to their legislators in an informal setting. More cuts in the State budget are coming, and this is a very good opportunity to let the State decision makers know your views about higher education’s needs.

The event will be held on Wednesday, March 28, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the Lansing Center. If you are free to attend or willing to take a personal business day to participate, please contact the Federation office, x9666.

IRAQ RESOLUTION DEBATE

At the well-attended Local 1650 General Membership Meeting in November, a resolution regarding U.S. policy on Iraq, submitted for consideration by Geraldine Grunow, was energetically debated. Members weighed the merits and downfalls of the U.S. policy in general as well as the appropriateness of Local 1650’s taking a stance. Topics of discussion were far-reaching: whether 1650 had taken such actions in the past, whether unions in general had set precedents for such actions, whether the U.S. policy was an education-related issue, whether the voice of the group should take precedence over the voice of the individual, and whether such an endorsement would be in the best interests of education in general and HFCC in particular.

When it became clear that a consensus could not be reached in the time available, several options were considered: withdraw the motion to endorse the resolution, table the motion, vote on the motion at the meeting, or distribute a paper ballot. Attendees voted to conduct a paper ballot to ensure that all members, whether at the General Membership Meeting or not, had a chance to weigh in on this important issue.

The ballots were distributed by Area Representatives in the week following the General Membership Meeting. Ballots regarding the proposed resolution on U.S. Policy on Iraq were counted at 12:15 p.m. on December 6. Present at the counting were: Ed Fryzel, John McDonald, Ray Polidori, Pedro San Antonio, and Brian Smith. The results of the ballot are: 57 YES votes and 98 NO Votes. The effort of the Local 1650 Area Representatives in distributing and collecting ballots is very much appreciated.

PROFESSIONAL ISSUES CONFERENCE 2003

This year’s Professional Issues Conference focused on a topic critical to the health of all HFCC programs, faculty, staff, and students: how the State budget crisis is impacting HFCC. During the conference, attendees learned about the financial challenges that HFCC faces and about HFCC’s revenue sources and expenditures. There were also breakout sessions for brainstorming on major financial concerns (such as long-term financing, revenues, enrollment, and expenses at the College), after which the groups reconvened for debriefing and discussion.

Responses to questions from the town hall session, not answered because of time constraints, will be forwarded by the Administration and Union to the College community. A special thank you goes to Conference Co-chairs Kathy Howe and Randy Knight.

1650 ELECTION RESULTS

In November, the following people were elected to 1650 positions:

President: John McDonald

Vice President for Internal Affairs (one-year term): Betsy Cohn

Vice President for External Affairs: Nancy Widman

Treasurer: Ed Fryzel

Representative, Area 2 (English): Jim Wanless

Representative, Area 4 (Business & Math): Jeannine Dawson

Representative, Area 6 (Trade & Apprentice): Tony Mazurek

Representative, Area 8 (Social Science): Margaret Thornburg

STATE AND SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION RESULTS

Local 1650 had mixed success in its efforts to ensure the election of union and education-friendly politicians. Noteworthy successes were the wins by Jennifer Granholm for Governor and Jim Schoolmaster for HFCC Board of Trustees. Schoolmaster, in particular, expressed deep gratitude for 1650’s contributions and participation in mailings and poll work. Results were split for the various university Boards of Regents, and ground was lost in the State House, State Senate, and Attorney General campaigns. The November election resulted in the following party breakdowns: in the State Senate, 22 Republicans and 16 Democrats; and in the State House, 63 Republicans and 47 Democrats.

As for the ballot proposals, the straight-party voting option was retained, reallocation of tobacco settlement monies was defeated, and securing binding arbitration rights for State employees was defeated.

1650 COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS

November’s election results, upcoming reductions in State aid, and continuing escalation of health care costs require the membership’s full attention and involvement. Please consider joining one or both of the following committees, which will be increasingly active in the upcoming months:

The Legislative Committee will likely address ramifications of the Republican-controlled State House and Senate as well as prepare for next November, when we will seek renewal of HFCC’s operating budget and become involved in elections for two seats on the Board of Trustees. If you would like to learn more about the committee or would like to join, please contact Jim Wanless, Committee Chair, at ext. 9716.

The Insurance Committee will be researching cost containment options as well as preparing for implementation of LASIK insurance in the second year of the current contract and improved long-term care insurance coverage in the third year of the current contract. If you are interested in serving on this important committee, contact Marsha Steele, Committee Chair, at ext. 6590.

 

AFT PLUS MEMBER COMPUTER PURCHASE PROGRAM

The AFT PLUS Member Computer Purchase Program began on November 15. It offers AFT members the option of buying various Dell and Gateway computer packages with various options and with 0% financing for 12 months. Payment can be by check, credit card, or bank account deductions. Computers will be delivered within two weeks of order placement. Orders can be made on line at http://aft.ecp2.com or over the phone at 1-888-923-6236, where customer service representatives can also answer questions.

GIFT OF READING CAMPAIGN

A well-established Local 1650 tradition that began in 1989 is the Local’s Gift of Reading Campaign that seeks donations of books and money to Focus Hope for use in its Center for Children and for distribution to children of families participating in the food program.

Prior to the holidays, Local 1650 members, College administrators, and College staff contributed $850 and over 200 books, and the HFCC Federation of Teachers an additional $400, to bring the "Gift of Reading" to needy children.

The Federation deeply appreciates the generosity of the College community and the work of the many volunteers who assisted in this worthy program: Paulette Childress, Mike Davis, Jeannine Dawson, Kevin Dewey, Peter Kearly, John Rietz, Dorothy Rothgery, and Nancy Widman.

John McDonald

 

1650 COMMITTEES SEEK VOLUNTEERS

With the first three years of a five-year contract safely secured, you may feel tempted to coast on 1650’s good fortune instead of increasing your involvement in union issues. However, there are pressing issues that require the membership’s full attention and participation. In particular, please consider joining one or both of the following committees:

The Legislative Committee will be active in the upcoming Board of Trustees’ Election and General Election. (For a summary of issues, see the "1650 Election Bulletin" dated September 12, 2002.) If you would like to learn more about the committee or would like to join, please contact Jim Wanless, Committee Chair, at ext. 9716.

The Insurance Committee will be researching cost containment options as well as preparing for implementation of LASIK insurance in the second year of the current contract and improving long-term care insurance coverage in the third year of the current contract. If you are interested in serving on this important committee, please contact Marsha Steele, Committee Chair, at ext. 6590.