Category Archives: press release

Statement from AFT Michigan President David Hecker on the so-called Retirement “Reform” Bills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENews from AFT MichiganThursday, May 17, 2012Contact: David Hecker, (313) 204-6115, dhecker@aftmichigan.org “This so-called retirement ‘reform’ package is more bad news for Michigan’s public school retirees and future hires, denying them a secure retirement,” said David Hecker, AFT Michigan president. “First Lansing politicians created an unfair pension tax, and now they want to double the cost of retiree…

Citizens Urge GM to Cut Ties With Controversial Lobby Group ALEC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENews from Progress MichiganThursday, May 17, 2012Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, (517) 974-6302Online petition calls on GM to “do the right thing,” drop ALEC membershipLANSING – Today citizen’s group Progress Michigan launched an online petition calling on General Motors to drop its membership with the controversial American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). In recent weeks, corporations…

Environmental Groups Urge Hoekstra to Reject Great Lakes Drilling, Protect Pure Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News from Progress MichiganMonday, May 14, 2012 Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, (517) 974-6302 Senate candidate flip-flops on protecting Great Lakes LANSING – Today environmental groups banded together, calling on U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra to reject any form of oil or gas drilling in the Great Lakes. Clean Water Action, Sierra Club, and Progress Michigan…

Retired Macomb Teacher Named “Organizer of the Year” at Michigan Summit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENews from Progress MichiganSaturday, May 12, 2012   Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, (517) 974-6302 Jim DeNardis is a former teacher and full-time volunteer dedicated to making a difference  EAST LANSING, Mich.- Jim DeNardis was named “Best Organizer of the Year” for his dedication to Macomb County and organizing efforts to help area residents find their voice.…

Romney Brings Anti-Education Agenda to Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Tuesday, May 8, 2012 Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, (517) 974-6302 Romney, Snyder have clear record of slashing higher education  LANSING – Today Mitt Romney brought his anti-education message to students at Lansing Community College. Romney…

Statement of David Hecker, AFT Michigan President, on the Board of Canvassers’ Failure to put PA 4 on the Ballot

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News From AFT Michigan Thursday, April 26, 2012 Contact: David Hecker, (313) 204-6115, dhecker@aftmichigan.org It’s disappointing that the two Republican board members voted to overrule the recommendation of the Secretary of State staff that this petition be certified. Throwing out the signatures of hundreds of thousands of Michigan voters is the kind of partisan…

Voting Rights Advocates to Take Aim at Bills that Create Obstacles for MI Citizens

MEDIA ADVISORYMonday, April 23, 2012Contact: Project Vote: Sarah Massey, (202) 210 6614, smassey@projectvote.orgContact: Progress Michigan: Zack Pohl, (517) 980-6190, zack@progressmichigan.org Advocacy groups call voter suppression bills ‘assault on democracy’ LANSING – Advocacy groups including the Michigan League of Women Voters, Common Cause, Project Vote, A. Philip Randolph Institute and others will hold a press conference…

Citizens Urge Rep. Lund To Drop ALEC Voter Suppression Bills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, April 10, 2012Contact: Zack Pohl, (517) 980-6190, zack@progressmichigan.org  Thousands of Michiganders demanding elected officials cut off ALEC influence LANSING – Michigan citizens are urging state Rep. Pete Lund (R-Shelby Township) to drop his membership with the controversial American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and reject a package of voter suppression bills. Engulfed in controversy…

Pete Hoekstra Abandons Working Michiganders, Calls Wage Discrimination Laws A “Nuisance”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News From Progress Michigan Monday, April 16, 2012Contact: Zack Pohl, (517) 980-6190, zack@progressmichigan.org Michigan citizens write Pete Hoekstra urging him to “get real” LANSING – Last week, candidate for U.S. Senate and career politician Pete Hoekstra abandoned women and our nation’s founding principles by calling the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act a “nuisance” before…

New ALEC Report Celebrates Michigan’s Anti-Middle Class Policies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Friday, April 13, 2012Contact: Zack Pohl, (517) 980-6190, zack@progressmichigan.org                           Meanwhile, corporate backers flee controversial front group in droves LANSING – Facing a firestorm of controversy, several corporations have fled the American Legislative Exchange Council in recent days. Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Wendy’s,…