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Letter to Governor Snyder Urging Veto of Senate Bill 571

December 23, 2015 Honorable Rick Snyder Governor of Michigan State Capitol Building P.O. Box 30013 Lansing, MI 48909 Governor Snyder: As the executive director of The Education Trust-Midwest, I am writing you today, urging you to veto Senate Bill 571. If enacted, this legislation will have a devastating impact on the ability for Michigan’s public schools to educate voters on critical local initiatives. If enacted, SB 571 will prohibit school districts and district officials from educating the community on millages, bonds, and other local initiatives, or using district resources to communicate about a local ballot question during the two months prior to Election Day. This measure will have a chilling effect on the ability of communities to make informed decisions on the issues that affect them the most, including whether to increase local revenues for targeted purposes in local schools. In state and school governance, black and white issues are exceedingly rare. In this case, however, the answer is clear. Michigan voters deserve the ability to make informed decisions about local initiatives impacting their schools and their communities, and Michigan school districts play vital role in voter education. Thank you for your careful consideration of this important issue. Very truly, Amber Arellano Executive Director