Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on April 5, 2007, to increase the fees paid to the state by teachers, school psychologists, school counselors, and administrators for the “certification” without which an individual is not allowed to teach in a public school (with some exceptions.) Currently, certification fees range from $125 to $175, and most would increase by $35. Substitute teacher and various other mandated teachers permit fees would increase from $25 to $40. Also, to impose a fee on periodic state reviews that university teacher preparation programs must undergo. The fee would be $2,000 to $3,500, depending on the number of students in the program

The vote was 61 in favor, 47 opposed and 2 not voting

(House Roll Call 119 at House Journal 38)

Click here to view bill details.

It is already incredibly expensive to go into teaching and now you propose to make it even more expensive. This deserves to fail.

Absolutely ridiculous! Tell the state legislature to go part-time (like everyone else) and cut their salaries! Hey, how come they don't have to have a certificate or pay a fee!

have to pay fees to the state for certifications.

What next! I would agree with this as long as they increase the teachers salaries to go with it. Teachers are already payed very little for the amount of schooling they go through. I agree with another person that made a comment here, make the politicians take cuts in their salaries, or pay certification fees to make sure they are qualified to hold office! Enough taxes! Michigans economy continues to die and taxing the citizens more only seals it's fate.

What an incredibly ridiculous idea! Someone with little time on their hands to do the research would suggest this. Haven't these rep's kept up with the latest? Cut teacher pay/hours to accomodate the reduced funding the districts are receiving... no raises... hey why not mandate teacher's pay more money for their certificates? They are already paying for college credits to maintain there certificates... they probably wouldn't mind paying more money for their certificates too!

do away with all state certifications / taxes.

How can this bill make it this far? Isn't there a better way for the state to make up it's deficit? Teacher's are already fund their own continuing education to maintain their certificates (with graduate classes costing about $700 a piece for a 3 credits only- no books or materials!). In order to keep the certificates up to date they need continuing education credits and now the state feels it's okay to implement a $35 increase! What about the substitute certificate? A $15 increase! What next?

Cutting salaries of the legislature is probably the best solution to Michigan's economic problems. That will add some passion to those reps who view their office as a "job". It will also make them more like "one of the people".

State certification and licensing add NO value to consumers. All it does is allow for another way to collect taxes, and restrict trade.

Just an observation.

Is there a Fee, or Tax that our politicians don't like? I propose that our elected elite get no pay or benefits to do their tax and spend tango. Let them be truly government servants, and serve until their funds run out. Maybe then we would get some common sense individuals in the legislature, MAYBE.

What state are you referring to where teachers are paid very little? Certainly not in Michigan where teachers (educators?)in the public school systems are paid very well for their 9 1/2 months of work and have the best benefits and retirement available. Michigan ranked 5th in teacher pay in the nation in 2005.

I would resolve that the increased cost in the initial certification is a bad idea, since most of those who are requesting certification are directly out of college and, therefore, have little disposable income. However, to maintain their certification would be more pragmatic based on the requestor's ability to pay. Either way, to increase certification fees as a revenue source is not only misguided, but detrimental to the already fragile economy of the state.

now the dem/socialists are eating their own. It'll be interesting to see what the teachers union and all their lackeys that march in lockstep will say about this. And to make it even better 100% of all the dems/socialists voted for it....Hey, I didn't vote for these tax loving socialists..you guys did and you did it because your union told you to. I think they should triple all taxes, fees etc. on the oh so smart teachers and their union.

Wasnt Rollie Hopgood, Hoon's father president of the teachers union? I wonder what he would have said about this? Or better yet what the teachers union will say about this come voting time.

a democrat, the union will say NOTHING.

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In some districts these fees were negotiated into CBAs and are reimbursed to the employee. This is a hit to the school district general fund, NOT the employee.

Not in my district nor in any district in which my friends teach. This is a hit directly to me.

They generally come from the bottom 10% of the graduating class.