"Education must be a primary tool to fight this recession. Through our K-12 programs we prepare students to compete in a world marketplace and through the University of Maine and Community College Systems we develop the skills and talents of our citizens to attract good jobs to Maine and reinvigorate our economy. We cannot cut our way to prosperity. Layoffs further dampen the economy and create greater demands for public services. And, the short- and long-term impacts will erode the quality of our programs and inevitably reduce our ability to create good jobs in Maine." Chris Galgay, President Maine Education Association

Maine's budget crunch  The forecast for Maine's state budget and funding for public education is grim.If proposed budget reductions are carried out, K-12 school funding will drop by $110 million from 2008 through 2011. Cuts to the University of Maine System total $15 million while Community Colleges get a $4.2 million hit. "Mainers know these hard times require sacrifices," observes MEA Executive Director Mark L. Gray, "and one of those may be to increase State revenues through additional fees and taxes. By spreading the burden across the entire state we will build the basis for economic recovery, preserve an excellent system of public education, and avoid increases in the property tax." To help legislators understand the impact of state budget cuts on schools, MEA is encouraging members to educate state leaders on the very real consequences of program reductions. Observes Gray: "These are lost educational opportunities that our students may never recapture. Legislators need to be fully informed so that they can make difficult votes for revenue enhancements if the price of budget cuts becomes too steep." MEA's guidance to local affiliates is: Work with your administration to minimize the impact of budget cuts on the quality of your educational programs. Build a coalition with parents, concerned citizens, businesses, school board members, and Trustees to advocate for public education. Keep your legislators informed about the status of your budget and the impact proposed cuts will have on programs and staff. Educate them about the impact on students and programs. In letters to the editor and conversations with friends, present education as a necessary economic engine for prosperity and a broad public good. Social Security Penalty survey Warning! If you retire under the Maine Public Employee Retirement System you will not receive the full Social Security benefits you have earned. The roadblocks are the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). WEP reduces your earned Social Security benefit and GPO reduces the survivor benefit. MEA/NEA is supporting repeal legislation before Congress. You can help by completing an NEA survey that will provide Congress with compelling data on the devastating and unfair impact these penalties have on educators. Share your story: go to the Home Page on MEA's new website. FMI on the penalties and repeal efforts go to the National Education Association website.