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    Who are the NERD fund donors Mr Snyder?

    Raise the curtain.

    The MEA, Richardville, and a Flower's Petal


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Fri Jul 15, 2011 at 09:30:53 AM EST
    Tags: Freedom to Work, Michigan, Randy Richardville, MEA, School Unions, Bullies, Lawbreakers, IRS, 501(c)(5), Right-To-Work, Tomcats (all tags)

    Michigan Senate majority leader Randy Richardville has no friends in the MEA.  While attempting to walk the fence line between "I'm a Republican" and "I don't want labor unions mad at me", Randy Richardville is finding himself targeted by the latter with rotten tomatoes and old shoes like a singing tomcat on that fence.

    The MEA would toss them at anyone.

    Self serving labor organizations (are there any others?) have no friends outside of their official ranks.  Those high paying union jobs (not those of the teachers, etc) and top management positions require careful farming of available taxpayer provided resources.  In fact, a 2009 report by Paul Kersey at the Mackinac center shows its overhead and operating is TWICE what the bargaining costs:

    MEA is a bloated organization. According to our calculations, 25.6 percent of the union's budget went to representation, compared to 57.3 percent for overhead. This is actually an improvement from the 2006-2007 report, which showed just 22 percent going to representation. Nevertheless, MEA still spends more than twice as much on overhead than it does on representing teachers. That's the exact opposite of what one would find in reasonably well-run non-profit.

    Those folks making high dollars as seen in the actual financial statement for the MEA have good reason to protect it.  They are certainly "forward looking" folks who, at least for themselves are looking at their giant pensions being affected by the Snyder pension loopholes being changed.

    So they had to respond, and the Tomcat on the fence as I pointed out, stands out in full contrast to the moon's glow.  The worn soles are flying, and the MEA is tossing them. By attempting to recall the majority leader Richardville and others:

    The Monroe resident leading the recall drive against Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville said the Michigan Education Association notified him today the teachers union will support the effort.

    "I was grateful," Ernie Whiteside said. "It certainly will be easier to increase our volunteer group by working officially through the MEA leadership."

    Whiteside said Doug Pratt, MEA's director of public affairs, called him today to give him the news.

    Except there may be a problem.

    More Below ~

    The MEA cannot do that.

    The IRS Rules read:

    Section 501(c)(5) provides for exemption of labor, agricultural or horticultural organizations. To be exempt, an organization must meet the following requirements:

        The net earnings of the organization may not inure to the benefit of any member; and
        The objects of the organization must be the betterment of conditions of those engaged in the pursuits of labor, agriculture, or horticulture, the improvement of the grade of their products, and the development of a higher degree of efficiency in their respective occupations.
     ...
    The exempt purposes of a labor or agricultural organization do not include direct or indirect participation or intervention in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. ...


    But its not as if the MEA has been trying to flex political muscle in this way before, right?  Its not as if the Snyder recall effort was handled by any MEA members in the Lawrence public schools or anything. We all know that the system used was programmed by the lunch ladies.

    Shenanigans. I call it, and I oppose it. In fact I DEMAND an investigation by our Attorney General.

    And in the meanwhile ...

    The ability of these unions to get away with this type of activity is no different than getting away with drug and alcohol use on the job.  Its a failure of engagement by our leadership, for fear they might lose their jobs.  A fear that if anything is done that appears to directly impact a labor union's immunity to laws that govern the rest of us, then their political careers would be ended.

    Again, I would call upon the legislature, and in particular, one Randy Richardville to draw the line in the sand by making the unions accountable in the way they understand best; with real effect on their pocketbook.

    Use the rule of law as it is written, and then go that one step forward toward accountability with the passage of a Right-To-Work law for Michigan.

    They love me - They love me not, is hardly a game worth playing in Lansing, Mr Senate Majority Leader.  They don't love you.

    But we can.  

    Pull the last petal in favor of forced unionization victims in Michigan, quit Tomcatting, help Michigan get Freedom to Work passed, and come on home.

    < Why we need Freedom to Work | Standing Up For Michigan >


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    An interesting situation, indeed. (none / 0) (#1)
    by KG One on Fri Jul 15, 2011 at 10:08:06 AM EST
    Aside from the notable exception of the MEA, I found it curious that no other unions (what are IRS regs to unions anyway) or Michigan democrats at any level were actively involved in the recall efforts.

    Protecting one of their own, perhaps?

    Unlike the capitol critters in Lansing, this will be a good test to see how much he is under Snyder's spell.

    Will Gov. Snyder instruct AG Scheutte to sandbag  investigating MEA's wrongdoing?

    Or will he show some independence, follow the law and nail their hide to the wall?

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