Tool Kit
Education Action Group
Greg Steimel
MEA Research
2/21/2009
2
3
Contents
.
Education Action Group Biography ............................................ 4
.
Collected Responses ................................................................ 28
.
District Hit List ......................................................................... 32
EAG Scoreboard ....................................................................... 33
The Truth About MESSA ........................................................... 35
Why MEA Members Bargain for MESSA ................................... 37
Talking Points ........................................................................... 38
The Lies and the Truth .............................................................. 39
Appendix ................................................................................. 40
EAG Articles of Incorporation
EAG 2007 Tax Return
4
Education Action Group Biography
PO Box4582
Muskegon, MI 49444
(231) 740 8942
http://www.educationactiongroup.org/
Background
The Education Action Group (EAG) first appeared in the summer of 2007. Organized by
long-time Republican General Counsel Eric Doster and former Republican staffer and
lobbyist Kyle Olson. It attempts to influence school bargaining in order to reduce union
influence and to lower MESSA market share. It also enters into school board campaigns
to oppose union-endorsed candidates.
Kyle Olson is the former lobbyist for the Michigan Association of
Realtors, served as district director and campaign manager for
Republican Gerald VanWoerkom's campaign for state Senate in
2002 and lost his run as a Republican for Muskegon County Board
of Commissioners in 2006. He now works as “Vice President” of
EAG and is 2nd district Republican State Committeeman.
Kyle’s brother Ryan was until recently the Mackinac Center’s Director of Education
Policy. They do not appear to be related to D. Joseph Olson, Vice President and General
Counsel - Government Relations for Amerisure Insurance Company and founder of the
Mackinac Center.
EAG was incorporated by Eric Doster, who has been General
Counsel for the state Republican Party for the last 15 years. He's
also an attorney at the Lansing law firm Foster, Swift, Collins and
Smith, PC, whose website lists healthcare as one of Doster’s
practice areas. His work with EAG serves the interests of those
clients.
Doster represented U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg in his recall fight. He
was appointed to the Judges' Retirement Board by Gov. John
Engler in 1996. In 2004, he represented Citizens for the Protection of Marriage, and was
widely quoted as promising that the ballot measure would not impact domestic partner
benefits (see Rewarding dishonesty in Lansing, below). He is a member of the ultra right
wing Federalist Society, sits on the board of the Great Lakes Education Project political
action committee (GLEP PAC).
In 1999, the conservative wing of the Michigan Supreme Court authored the holding in
the Husted v Auto Owners Insurance Company case, widely seen as benefitting insurance
companies at the expense of individuals. Kalamazoo attorney James B. Ford, who
2
represented the plaintiff, said the ruling was “completely political” and “makes no sense
when compared to the language and history of the no-fault statute...This is almost an
absurd decision on its face,” Ford commented. “And until widows and orphans can
donate as much money as insurance companies [to judicial campaigns], we’ll continue to
see these types of decisions.”
Eric Doster filed a complaint with the Attorney Grievance Commission, demanding that
Ford’s license to practice law be revoked. The complaint was dismissed but a state-wide
debate among attorneys ensued, over whether such comments warrant discipline or
constitute protected free speech.
One such debate appeared in a State Bar of Michigan newsletter. The pro-discipline side
was written by D. Joseph Olson. The bio box at the bottom of his arguments (presumably
written by him), ends with: “He proudly confesses to being Chairman of the Mackinac
Center and a member of the Federalist Society.”
The EAG website is located on servers owned by “Domains by Proxy” a division of
Godaddy.com that allows people to anonymously sponsor websites. As a result, anyone
who investigates the EAG website will find that the “owner” is located in Scottsdale,
Arizona, where DBP is located. Website owners pay a premium to have DBP host their
sites.
DBP is a favorite for spammers to host their operations
A month after Eric Doster incorporated the Education Action Group, Kyle Olson filed
articles of incorporation for the "Education Action Fund". It differs in a number of ways
from EAG.
Although both are incorporated as non-profits:
• EAF was organized under the provisions of IRS section 527. (The Swift Boat
Veterans for Truth were also a 527.) EAG was organized under IRS section
501(c)(4).
• EAG's resident agent is Foster Swift attorney Eric Doster; EAF is run by Olson.
• EAG is financed by: “... contributions from corporate foundations and private
foundations.” EAF describes its financing as: "... Bequests, grants, gifts and
donations from Corporations, organizations and individuals, and grants and
donations from federal, state and local governments..."
• While EAG's professed purposes included: "To assist the education community to
harness public support for meaningful education reform." EAF is intended to "...
raise public consciousness about ... the positions of incumbent public officials ...
without engaging in express advocacy for or against any identified candidates,"
and "... to engage in ... political activities, including activities the will encourage
... members of the community to become... members of a Board of Education ...
except that the Corporation shall not... expressly advocate the election or defeat of
any clearly identified candidate ..."
3
As of December 2008, EAF had failed to notify the IRS of its 527 status. Until it does, it
will not gain non-profit status.
In September 2007 Foster Swift junior attorney Todd W. Hoppe incorporated the
Michigan School Board Leaders Forum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit designed to “To be a
portal for school board members to gain information and research as it relates to present-
day problems, unions and issues facing school districts in Michigan” and to “be a forum
for school board members to share ideas, experiences, and to coordinate to (sic) create the
best public schools possible for the students of Michigan.” It’s name was changed to
"The Center for Government Reform” in late 2008.
EAG activities
• On September 7, 2007, Olson issued a press release and filed a campaign finance
complaint regarding contributions from the MEA to two Oakland County school
board candidates in 2005.
• On November 9, 2007, the Detroit News publishes the op-ed Counter union
influence on school boards by Kyle Olson, which argues that unions are too
successful in school board elections. It also argues that the MEA uses “front
groups” (local PACs).
• On November 12, 2007, EAG mails postcards to the Holton community arguing
MEA staff was overpaid and comparing health care bids, including SET-SEG, to
MESSA.
• On October 04, 2007 The Detroit News publishes an op ed written by Kyle Olson
and Dick Morris stating that unions rip off taxpayers and celebrating the passage
of the MESSA claims experience bills. (See School boards must exploit chance to
cut health costs, below)
• In February 2008, an article announcing the formation of the Michigan School
Board Leaders Forum appears in the Livingston Daily News. Editor Mike Mallott
later admits he added a reporter’s name to a press release. (See School Leaders
Ban Together, below)
• In April, 2008, EAG erects billboards in Gladstone while bargaining is underway,
arguing that MEA staff was overpaid (see School board discusses billboards,
below)
• In May, 2008, shortly before a Grand Rapids school board election, EAG erects
billboards and mails pamphlets arguing that MEA staff is overpaid, that unions
have too much influence in the schools and opposes union-endorsed candidates
(see Controversial anti-teachers' union billboard in Grand Rapids, below). No
campaign finance reports were filed related to this activity.
• In September, 2008, EAG erected another billboard in Southfield, publicizing the
MEA Exposed website and ridiculing the MEA for initiating a school board recall
campaign.
• EAG writes a Op-Ed in the Westland Observer in an attempt to influence the
crisis bargaining in Wayne-Westland.
4
• EAG files a series of Freedom of Information requests in an effort to prove the
WW strike was engineered by MEA management. After posting outtakes, Olson
says they prove that the strike was about MESSA.
• EAG supporter attends an MEA conference and delivers handouts to Olson a day
later. Olson posts them on his website.
• EAG supporter attends an MEA conference and secretly records a session. Olson
posts the recording on his website.
EAG from time to time posts YouTube videos,
including one launched during its attempt to influence
bargaining in Gladstone, which coincided with its
launch of MEAExposed.com (see School board
discusses billboards, below)
Board president Linda Howlett’s appearance on the
video was included in the news coverage, and was seen
as proof to some that cooperated with an outside
agitator.
Kyle visits the GEA office on a Sunday
The EAG site
specializes in spreading long-held myths:
“Another point to note is that the union has
conditioned their members into believing that it is
better to receive the union-sponsored health care
than a raise--these days, when a contract is
negotiated, a typically smaller raise is given when
MESSA is kept in the contract. Translation: Money
in the union's pocket is better than money in the member's pocket.”
www.educationactiongroup.org/problem.html
Funding
Olson refuses to disclose the EAG’s funding sources or the names of its board members,
other than Muskegon activist Jane Missimer, 69. While the site says it is “a group of
citizens and school board leaders” it is widely assumed that it is funded by the Mackinac
Center in Midland. In fact the EAG Articles of Incorporation state:
“The corporation is to be financed under the following general plan: contributions
from corporate foundations and private foundations.”
EAG uses the Aristotle Campaign Contribution website for contributions. It is designed
for political campaigns Other than processing the money, it:
5
“…is the only company with the ability to screen the name of each contributor against a
proprietary database of government records to check that the contributor is a US Voter.
This service is provided to registered political organizations.
“From the registered voter file, we'll also tell you the date-of-birth, congressional and
legislative district of the contributor, his or her party affiliation and vote history as
maintained by the county or state board of elections. You'll know more about your
contributors, and be better able to target solicitations to new prospects with similar
demographics.” www.campaigncontribution.com, FAQ
EAG and the Anti-Union Movement
While EAG’s connections to the Mackinac Center are
well known, it’s relationship with the national anti-union
movement are less well known.
A connection with the aggressively anti-union group
UnionFacts is becoming apparent. UnionFacts spent $1.3
million on TV and radio ads and over $800,000 on print
ads trashing unions in 2008. Like EAG, they specialize in
what’s been called “attack conservatism.” Kyle Olson
maintains the MEAexposed website while UnionFacts
sponsors the TeachersUnionsExposed site. Both are
making a major push into what they sell as “Hijacked
Elections.”
The Center for Union Facts was established by the
National Chamber of Commerce, which, together with
its state affiliates has committed $8 annually to fund the
CUF. The Chamber tapped Richard Berman, a 62-year-
old former national Chamber staffer to run the Center for
Union Facts.
Since 1986, Berman has coordinated
the advertising efforts for a half-dozen
corporate front groups through his own
DC based advertising and PR agency –
personally making millions in the
process.
.
Education Action Group in the press
6
Note: Dick Morris visits Grand Rapids Republicans to preach to the choir. Morris was
fired from the Clinton administration for his affair with toe-sucking prostitute Sherry
Rowlands, and for allowing her to listen in on phone calls to President Clinton. He has
since moved on to write for the rightwing New York Post and become a regular on the
Fox News Network....
Pundit Dick Morris tells local Republicans it's important to challenge
unions
by Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press
Thursday October 30, 2008, 5:50 PM
Political consultant Dick Morris speaks to a group of Kent County Republicans at the Amway Grand Hotel
Thursday morning.
GRAND RAPIDS -- Grand Rapids is "the most important front in the war to improve
education in the country" because an outside group is assisting district leaders as they
battle the teachers union, political pundit Dick Morris said.
Morris was an adviser to President Bill Clinton who now works as a Republican-leaning
consultant and commentator.
Morris was speaking in three Michigan cities Thursday on behalf of the Education Action
Group, a Muskegon organization critical of teachers unions.
The group has sided with Grand Rapids Public Schools in its ongoing labor battle with
teachers, and Morris recently narrated a documentary about the acrimonious negotiations.
7
"This is the only place in the country where
a grassroots group is challenging the
teachers union," Morris told Thursday's
gathering of about 125 local Republicans at
the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. "And the
union stands in the way and really presents
the ultimate evil -- denying us the
opportunity to help our children."
Morris said there are examples of statewide
groups that target unions, but they usually
either don't last or are aimed at a particular issue.
The EAG has sent flyers and paid for billboards in addition to landing Morris in July to
narrate an eight-minute video, "Profiles in Courage: The Grand Rapids School Board," to
call attention to the lingering contract dispute.
Morris said unions go too far to protect incompetent members and stifle reforms and have
expanded their power base by organizing out-of-classroom positions like custodians and
bus drivers, and providing health insurance.
He said groups that have successfully challenged the unions have targeted those other
areas, saying privatizing the services saves money and weakens the unions. Grand Rapids
in 2005 outsourced its busing and some custodial posts.
"Just like Winston Churchill said you can't fight a land war in Asia, you can't get into a
fight with a teachers union over education. They're in education, you're not," he said.
"But you can go after the other areas. People don't care about who is going to drive the
bus, sweep the floor and administer health insurance."
Paul Helder, president of the Grand Rapids teachers union, was dismissive of Morris and
of the EAG, which he believes consists only of Kyle Olson.
"It's interesting that Mr. Morris believes that Kyle Olson, the 'Education Action Guy,' is
considered a grassroots group," he said after Morris' talk. "I'm also startled to hear that
Mr. Morris thinks educators are the roadblock to improving education."
District spokesman John Helmholdt said he didn't want to comment on the EAG's role,
but said in Grand Rapids the union and district have worked together.
"Grand Rapids can be a national leader, but that's because of reforms we've created in
collaboration with all of our employees, and that includes the teachers," he said after the
speech.
Grand Rapids Press
October 31, 2008
8
Note: The public starts to react against Kyle’s interference, and an especially good
comment posted by a reader...
National operative Dick Morris in video bashing Grand Rapids teachers
union
GRAND RAPIDS -- Activists have ratcheted up the fight between the Grand Rapids
Public Schools and its teachers union, recruiting national political operative Dick Morris
to narrate a video denouncing the labor leaders.
But the Board of Education president says she wants nothing to do with the Education
Action Group and its high-profile friends.
"They need to mind their own business," President Catherine Mueller said Tuesday. "We
don't need their help."
Union leaders are critical of both, saying
the district is relying on the Muskegon-
based group for its public relations efforts.
City teachers worked last school year
without a contract, and the dispute grew
increasingly acrimonious through the
spring, with the EAG throwing unsolicited
barbs at the union.
EAG leader Kyle Olson said he produced
the eight-minute video, "Profiles in
Courage: The Grand Rapids School
Board" to call attention to the lingering
contract dispute. The video is posted on the group's Web site.
The group in May erected a billboard along U.S. 131 reading "Taxpayers or union
bosses: Find out who wants control of GR schools," and has produced mailings critical of
the union.
"This school board has only so much to work with, and it is coming under intense
pressure," Olson said.
Morris is a former political consultant to former President Bill Clinton, who now is an
author and analyst highly critical of the Clintons.
Olson said he met Morris through his brother, Ryan, who worked for the Mackinac
Center, a conservative think-tank.
9
Olson saw Morris last fall and discussed the Grand Rapids' situation and asked the pundit
to lend his services to the EAG. Olson wrote the script for the video, which was filmed
last month in New York. He said Morris did not charge for his appearance.
"He and I have been talking about what is happening in Grand Rapids, and Morris
volunteered his time and talent to lend a hand," Olson said.
In the video, Morris says, "The poor Grand Rapids school district is trying to educate
kids" and it consists of "brave citizens who are finally standing up to the teachers unions.
In Grand Rapids, the good guys are standing up for the kids."
Morris also says the union is "threatening to strike to rake in taxpayer dollars for bloated
insurance premiums."
Teachers union President Paul Helder blasted both the EAG and the school board for the
video.
"EAG's style is to pass off inaccuracies and supposition as fact," he said. "This latest
piece by Kyle Olson is no exception. He has never contacted us for any information about
what has really been going on in Grand Rapids.
"Our board's idea of education is creating a policy that allows children to graduate
without attending classes. If Mr. Olson and Mr. Morris are going to continue to attack GR
residents, maybe they should be present in GR more than they are absent -- it might help
them get their facts straight."
Superintendent Bernard Taylor said he had "no idea why Dick Morris would be interested
in Grand Rapids," and said he had no opinion on the video.
But Mueller said she watched the video, and doesn't think the board needs assistance
from outsiders. She said the board is continuing to work with its employee groups and
hopes to come to an agreement.
"We don't need the EAG's help, nor do we want it," she said. "I don't even have them on
my radar."
Grand Rapids Press
July 30, 2008
The posted comment:
Posted by rollnggrnade on 07/30/08 at 12:03PM
The EAG is a "brave citizens action group?" Really? I wasn't aware that the definition of "bravery" has
sunk so low as to include mysterious right-wing special interest swiftboat groups fronted by lobbyists who
hide their funding sources.
10
If Kyle Olsen was brave, he would post the list of donors to the EAG on the organization's website so
everyone can see the organization's hidden agenda.
If we don't offer good benefits to teachers - how are we going to attract solid instructors to a field that
requires a great deal of higher education and generally pays poorly?
The EAG isn't about improving the quality of education; it's about cutting funding to the public school
system - and since they know that it's wildly-unpopular to take money out of the classroom - they've
decided to pick on teachers to fund their agenda of tax cuts for the affluent. It's the same "free market"
dogma that produced the current mortgage industry crisis.
I haven't agreed with all of the teachers' union's tactics - but they certainly have every right to advocate for
decent pay and benefits in the face of a massive campaign by the right to slash the state's budget and
eliminate virtually all social services in order to give tax cuts and tax credits to the wealthy.
Note: WWEA President Nancy Strachan writes a fabulous column on Kyle’s usual
interference and union bashing in Wayne-Westland.
Misguided spending hurts district
It's important to note that I haven't read the column submitted to the Westland Observer
by the Education Action Group's Kyle Olson. In the end, I don't really need to - every
time he inserts himself into a local bargaining situation he touts the same anti-union
messages about the Michigan Education Association and the Michigan Education Special
Services Association (MESSA).
If Mr. Olson had taken the time to check the facts before he intruded himself into the
Wayne-Westland teachers' contract negotiations, he would have found that it is the
district's misguided spending priorities that are truly hurting our students and our
community.
Since Mr. Olson isn't at the bargaining table - and doesn't even live on this side of the
state - he doesn't know that the MESSA plan the teachers are proposing is $40,000
cheaper than the current insurance package.
If Mr. Olson had done his homework, he would know that teachers have saved the district
millions of dollars over the past two years by reducing their wages and benefits. This,
after the superintendent promised them that administrators would lead from the top in
taking cuts. Their cuts still haven't happened, despite the district's claims of poverty.
Because of those claims, the teachers asked MEA economist Ruth Beier to do a financial
analysis of the district. Using data that the district itself provided to the state, it became
apparent that for the past three years the district has manufactured a deficit. In reality,
Wayne-Westland has money, but the administration chooses to buy "things" instead of
spending the money on students and the resources necessary to give them a great public
education.
11
By repeatedly moving money from its general fund into a capital fund, the district can tell
the community it has no money while it goes ahead and builds two field houses and buys
state-of-the-art artificial turf - not typical behavior of a district in financial crisis.
And there's no reason for this shell game. For the 2006-07 school year, the district had a
surplus of more than $1.5 million. It received an additional $2.8 million for capital
purchases and also used voter-approved debt fund revenue. Flush with money, it then
transferred $2.4 million to its capital fund and manufactured a general fund deficit of
$860,442!
Meanwhile, class sizes have dramatically increased. With 36 students in some elementary
classes and 38 in high school classes, there isn't enough time for one-on-one instruction.
Sometimes there aren't even enough desks, lab stations or computers for every student.
But the superintendent claims that large class sizes have had no negative impact on test
scores. Unfortunately, the data he uses was gathered at a time when class sizes were
smaller.
It becomes clear that either the district doesn't budget well or it has its priorities in the
wrong place. What they have created is a school district that has the second highest
general fund balance (essentially a savings account) in the county; spends a smaller
portion of its budget on instructional compensation than all but six other county districts;
and ranks in the top third of the county in number of pupils per teacher. Those are facts -
things Mr. Olson usually avoids.
All this begs the question, why is this guy from Muskegon writing columns in our
community newspaper? The answer is simple - Kyle Olson and his Education Action
Group friends despise unions and public schools.
Who are some of those friends? One is disgraced political adviser Dick Morris, who
frequently tag teams with Olson to bash MESSA and anything else related to organized
labor.
Another is EAG's incorporator Eric Doster, who is a conservative attorney, activist and
political candidate. He serves as general counsel for the state Republican Party and has
many ties to former gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos and his anti-public school,
voucher-loving organization, the Great Lakes Education Project.
Unfortunately we don't know much about Olson's other anti-union, anti-public school
conspirators - while he has no compunction about decrying union PAC dollars going to
political candidates, he refuses to disclose who is funding his operations.
Under the EAG banner, Olson has butted into bargaining situations all over the state,
ranging from Grand Rapids to the small town of Gladstone in the Upper Peninsula. In
both cases, his out-of-town "help" wasn't welcome - representatives from the union AND
the school district denounced his union hate-mongering in both communities. (You can
learn more about EAG by going to www.eagtruth.com.)
12
So, Mr. Olson, since you're not from around here and don't know anything about this
bargaining situation or this community, let me educate you about what's on the minds of
Wayne-Westland teachers.
We're all looking forward to the start of a new school year. One in which we can help
students succeed. One in which we're supported for the hard work we do. And one in
which our administration is truthful about its priorities and its finances.
We want what's best for our students, our schools, our families and our community. And
we're going to stand united - shoulder to shoulder with parents, community leaders and
our union brothers and sisters - for what we know is right.
Nancy Strachan is president of the Wayne-Westland Education Association, which
represents the district's 850 teachers.
Westland Observer
August 31, 2008
Note: Kyle attends McCain Palin invitation-only political event, his wife is picked to ask
a question...
Local backers excited to see McCain, Palin
Kelly Olson of Norton Shores was thrilled to get up close and personal with Gov. Sarah
Palin, politics' current superstar.
At Wednesday's town-hall meeting at Grand Rapids Community College featuring Palin
and GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, Olson raised her hand to ask a
question. She was stunned to be picked.
"I just raised my hand and happened to catch Sen. McCain's eye and he handed me the
microphone."
"As a mother I just wanted to hear your response to the people out there who said you
can't be a mother and be vice president," Olson said, holding her 9-week-old son, Gavin.
"Well, let's prove them wrong," Palin answered to raucous cheers.
13
After she was elected
governor of Alaska,
others asked, "How
can you be the
governor and have a
baby in office," Palin
recalled, "and I said,
the same way every
other governor has
brought up a family,
had a baby in office.
Granted, they were
men, and maybe that
was the difference.
But we're going to be
able to do it, and I
thank you for the
question."
Dozens of local
people traveled to
Grand Rapids to see
the Republican ticket.
There was no way Judi Winter of Grand Haven was going to pass this up.
After weeks of watching "the biggest star in politics" on television, Winter was finally
going to see vice-presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin herself.
"I can't wait to see Sarah," Winter exclaimed as she waited in line at Grand Rapids
Community College to hear Sarah Palin and John McCain speak. "I'm really fired up that
we finally have a woman on the ticket.
"She's a mother of five, I'm a mother of four, and I think she understands what it means to
be a woman and that's what we need in this country right now."
As thousands of residents from across West Michigan gathered for the town-hall style
meeting, excitement over Palin was everywhere.
In some instances, the crowd seemed more enthusiastic about seeing Palin -- who has
risen from obscurity to stardom since McCain named the Alaska governor as his running
mate -- than McCain.
"I seriously think I'm a part of history right now," said Jenni Shepherd, a sophomore at
Grand Valley State University. "I think it says a lot about how far women have came."
14
Shepherd, who graduated from Grand Haven High School, said she loves the excitement
surrounding Palin and the election.
"It's fun," she said. "Everyone seems pretty excited to be here."
Enthusiasm over Palin was everywhere. Many sported Palin pins. Others carried signs. A
few even donned Palin 2012 T-shirts.
Why all the excitement?
"She's more of a conservative and she's really energized the party," said Christopher Bair
of Spring Lake. "I wasn't much of a McCain supporter until Sarah Palin came on board."
Buy the time the doors opened shortly before 5 p.m., some McCain supporters had been
waiting in the steamy afternoon sun for a couple of hours.
Angie Striker didn't mind the wait.
The Spring Lake resident said she was excited to see the candidates with the "moral
leadership" this country needs.
"Sarah Palin brings to the ticket a conservative woman who's a strong supporter of gun
rights and a strong opponent of a women's right to choose," Striker said. "If more
conservatives showed their support for those issues we would make a difference."
While the crowd was mostly on the older side, there were a few young faces in the
crowd.
For Adam Trove, a student at Grand Haven High School, it was his first political rally.
"I'm pretty excited," said Trove, who traveled to the event with his parents. "I really don't
know what to expect."
After a few minutes in line, Trove said being at a rally in person was a lot different than
watching one on TV.
"It definitely brings it down to reality," said Trove, as dozens of protesters across the
street chanted loudly.
Terry Trove, Adams father, said seeing a rally in person gives you a perspective you don't
usually see on television.
"I'm interested in seeing the vibe (Palin and McCain) give off to the crowd," Terry Trove
said. "Palin represents something new to the party we haven't seen before and I want to
see how the crowd reacts to it."
15
Most of the people attending the rally appeared to be solid McCain supporters, but not
everyone in the crowd had their mind made up.
While Jenell Keiser said she supports McCain, she needs to know more about his stance
on education.
"No Child Left Behind isn't a perfect system right now," said Keiser, who lives in
Muskegon and teaches at Orchard View High School. "I want to know what he's going to
do to fix it."
Even though she had some "serious questions," Keiser was there to have fun, too.
"This is such an important election and since (the rally) is so close, how could you not
want to be hear," she said. "It's important to see first hand how the process works and to
be a part of the process."
In interviews after the event, Olson said she was happy with Palin's answer, particularly
because she also has to balance work with family.
"I'm a mom, and I have other roles as well," she said, after McCain and Palin posed for
pictures with her son. "I love to see someone who can be a mom and can balance other
things in her life. And she has a supportive husband, which she needs."
Her husband is a well-known Muskegon County political activist in the Republican Party.
He previously ran for a spot on the county board as a Republican. He currently is vice
president of strategy for Education Action Group, a politically focused nonprofit that is
seeking to "tell the truth" about the state teachers' union watchdog.
On critics who may believe her question was staged because of her husband's a
Republican activist: "It's not true. It was totally random. I didn't think he would pick me."
16
Note: EAG moves into Oakland County…
Billboard takes on Southfield issues - in Novi
By Wayne Peal • ECCENTRIC STAFF WRITER • September 7, 2008
Southfield's school board recall
campaign might have ended quietly -
except for the billboard. In Novi.
Several weeks ago, a nonprofit
group financed the billboard, which
criticized Southfield Public Schools
unions for instigating a now-
abandoned recall against four school
board members for their support of
privatization.
The billboard, however, is near I-96
Exit 162 - roughly 10 miles from the
heart of Southfield.
"We wanted a place where it would receive maximum visibility - be seen by numerous
motorists," said Kyle Olsen of the Education Action Group, a Muskegon-based 501(c)4
nonprofit group which advocates statewide on education issues.
"We aren't saying that privatization is the right answer for every school district but, in
this case, school board members saved their district millions of dollars and then were
targeted for recall."
Ted Peters, president of the Southfield Education Association, said he hadn't seen the
billboard, but noted its link to the Web site MEAexposed.com.
"That's the Mackinac Center folks, the old Engler administration folks, the folks who
have been opposed to school unions for years," Peters said.
Olsen said the EAG wasn't affiliated with the Mackinac Center, an influential
conservative think tank.
"We are a separate organization," he said.
Olsen said the fact that the union failed to put the recall on the November ballot "was
testament to the fact that they didn't get enough signatures."
Peters, though, said the decision was made in deference to a millage renewal campaign
recently added to the ballot.
17
For those who question the number of signatures "let 'em count 'em," Peters said.
Note: Doster gets called on his gay marriage proposal lies…
Rewarding dishonesty in Lansing
Lansing lawyer Eric Doster is a busy fellow.
Besides serving as corporate counsel to the state Republican Party and running for a seat
on the state Court of Appeals, he represented the coalition of religious activists who led
the successful crusade to ban same-sex marriage in Michigan.
According to the state Supreme Court's Republican majority, Doster is also a bit of a
fibber.
In an opinion released Wednesday, five GOP justices say the language of the
constitutional amendment voters adopted in 2004 clearly prohibits public employers from
providing medical benefits for same-sex couples, and that Doster was obviously
stretching the truth when he told the State Board of Canvassers at an August 2004
hearing that it wouldn't.
In his 34-page opinion, Justice Stephen Markman acknowledges that Doster, in his
capacity as counsel to Citizens for the Protection of Marriage, "apparently asserted that
the amendment would not prohibit public employers from providing health insurance
benefits to domestic partners."
Markman also concedes that brochures distributed by Doster's client -- the group that
drafted the amendment to ban gay marriage and collected the signatures that put it on the
November 2004 ballot -- said exactly the same thing.
*****
Dishonesty, after all, is the coin of Michigan's political realm.
And now, thanks to Markman and his colleagues, it enjoys the protection of Michigan's
highest court.
BRIAN DICKERSON
FREE PRESS COLUMNIST
May 9, 2008
18
Note: This reporter uses an accurate label for EAG, right off the top, and points out that
Kyle was a lobbyist. Progress! On the other hand, his expectation that IRS records will
show Kyle’s funders is misplaced.
Controversial anti-teachers' union billboard in Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) -- An anti-teachers' union group is using a billboard
to send a message in the midst of a dispute between administrators and the Grand Rapids
teachers' union, and days before the school board election.
The group is trying to get its message across in five seconds: "Taxpayers or union
bosses? Find out who wants control of GR schools."
The billboard, paid by the
Education Action Group, is along
southbound US-131 between Hall
Street and Plaster Creek.
A mailing from the EAG, which
could be in mailboxes as soon as
Thursday, has the same basic
message, along with a caricature of
a "union boss" on the front. On the
back, the mailer tells readers that the union has gotten in the way of important reform
efforts.
It also points out that the union is now backing three school board challengers: Tony
Baker, Derrick Martin and Gordon Griffin. The mailer claims the union is expecting the
three to carry its water and derail reforms.
The Grand Rapids post card
"The implication there is that I'm controlled by the union, and I'm not. The reason I
wanted to run for the board was because I wanted to be involved in something that means
a lot to me," Griffin told 24 Hour News 8.
19
Griffin, a former teacher, said a recommendation from the teachers' union is a plus.
Fellow board challenger Martin said voters should know he can't be controlled.
24 Hour News 8 caught up with a couple of incumbents - the people the anti-union group
is trying to keep on the board.
"I think it's a negative position because we need to work together: the union, the
administration and the board," said board member Luis Pena.
"You have no control over what other persons do, and if that's what they want to do and
the public receives it," added board president Kenneth Hoskins.
Hoskins is referring to the EAG, which is based in Muskegon, and started up in June
2007. The group has lined up to oppose the union, which has sent out its own mailings
recently.
So how does a group like that pay for a big billboard? 24 Hour News 8 searched online
for its latest IRS return but couldn't find one because the group is new.
Kyle Olson of EAG says the group will file in November. He said it raises a lot of money
from those concerned about reforming government spending.
Teachers' union president Paul Helder said the group is entitled to its opinion, but points
out union members are "taxpayers" too and are entitled to express their opinion.
Helder added it is a bit hypocritical for a group like the EAG to criticize the lobbying
efforts of the teachers' union, when Olson has been a paid lobbyist himself.
That is something we did confirm through the Rossman Group Online Lobbyist
Directory.
WOOD-TV
5/1/2008
Note: Kyle erects billboards in Gladstone, and posts a YouTube video featuring a
Gladstone board member, and the community reacts:
School board discusses billboards
GLADSTONE — During the Gladstone School Board meeting Monday, it was noted
billboards had been placed within the community by the Education Action Group, based
out of Muskegon.
According to the organization, which claims to be a group of concerned citizens, parents,
school board members, and public school advocates, the purpose of placing the signs
20
along the U.S. 41, M-35 corridor in Gladstone, was to “educate taxpayers in Gladstone
who are experiencing pressure tactic campaigns by the school employees union. The
billboards, along with other mediums will be used to publish useful information and
thought provoking facts which will help citizens determine who is acting fiscally
responsibly and is putting the education of kids first.”
One speaker during Monday’s meeting was Bill Milligan, an instructor from Bay de Noc
Community College, who in addressing the school board, said he had written to Kyle
Olson, who serves as vice president of strategy for the organization concerning the action
being taken.
In response to the letter written, it was alleged, by Milligan that Olson had written to the
president of Bay College questioning what action would be taken concerning an “uppity
member of the college faculty,” as he had questioned the motivation behind the EAG
becoming involved in the contract dispute between the Gladstone School Board and the
teachers union.
Millgan also stressed, he has a child attending school in the Gladstone School District,
and he (Milligan) believes that the district is the best one around.
“It is time to get a contract, it is time to respect the teachers, it is time to respect the
students,” said Milligan.
Gladstone School Board president Linda Howlett reported she had been contacted by the
Education Action Group, and responded to the best of her ability not only to the
organization, but also to anyone who either questioned her or submitted their questions
through e-mails.
“I addressed Mr. Olson and his questions, in the same manner as if I were addressing a
concerned parent or a member of our community, and yes it was videotaped, and it is on
You-Tube,” said Howlett.
Howlett further stated her comments dealt with the issues of declining enrollment, and
the financial problems associated with reductions in state funding due to declining
enrollment. She further noted the district had no input on where the EAG signs were
placed nor did the school board have any input concerning the content of the billboards
currently be seen in Gladstone. There was no mention during the meeting, of what
information was contained on the billboards placed by members of the Education Action
Group.
“Someone said the video was being seen on You-Tube, I am appalled. You-Tube cannot
be viewed by students using school computers because it is blocked, however they are
viewing it on their cell phones,” said Cindy Blahnik.
21
Blahnik went on to say the video shown on the MEA Exposed Web site, made the school
district look ridiculous, and asked what the process had become concerning the current
contact negotiations.
“As a taxpayer in this district, I am appalled,” said Blahnik.
Howlett, in addressing Blahnik’s comment replied the district had no control over how
the information was released, and that in her comments, she addressed the financial
difficulties the school district was experiencing due to declining enrollment, and that the
district had to look at cost controlling measures.
Gladstone Daily Press
April 22, 2008
Note: A reporter acts as press agent for the EAG clone MSBLF:
School leaders band together
Reform-minded school leaders have joined hands to create the Michigan School Board
Leaders Forum Inc., a network to learn from and get to know like-minded board members
from around Michigan.
The idea is to educate board members about contract negotiations, successful reform
policies from around Michigan and the country, and ways to stretch dollars further. It is a
plan Howell Public Schools Trustee Wendy Day supports.
"I am a member of that forum and very excited about it," Day said. "I am hoping there
will be other board members who join as well. There is a shortage of training options for
school boards, and this is an excellent opportunity."
Because of Michigan's struggling economy and financial challenges facing school
districts across the state, the group seeks to empower board members to enact spending
reforms to ensure as many dollars as possible are going directly to educating children.
"This is a chance for those of us committed to meaningful education reform to create a
forum dedicated to improving the system, rather than simply supporting the status quo,"
said Mike Reno, a Rochester Community Schools board member. "MSBLF is about
responsible stewardship and accountability to students, parents, and taxpayers."
Members of the forum can take part in a statewide online forum to discuss issues, share
the challenges their districts are facing, and hopefully gain a greater knowledge of
policies that are working in those districts that may be applicable to their own, Reno
explained.
22
The forum plans to grow to hold regional meetings with members to network in person.
For more information, see www.msblf.org.
Contact Daily Press & Argus reporter Lisa Roose-Church at (517) 552-2846 or at
lrchurch@gannett.com.
DAILY PRESS & ARGUS
2/19/2008
Note: Kyle continues to get school board candidates PAC contributions in print. His
complaint about union front groups rings just a little bit hollow, given he’s paid to run a
Mackinac front group. And then there’s that fact that he’s opposing democracy.
Counter union influence on school boards
Kyle Olson
Imagine if you had the opportunity to choose your boss -- the person who would set your
pay and benefits. You would take advantage of it, right?
The state's largest school employees union, the Michigan Education Association, has
been doing that for years through school board elections -- including Tuesday's scattered
voting. It has figured out that if the union issues endorsements and hands out
contributions, union officials will find its friends sitting at the table come contract
negotiation time.
This should worry voters, particularly in these tough economic times when tax dollars
need to be stretched. In Rochester Community Schools, for example, the MEA Political
Action Committee contributed more than $3,000 each to trustees Michelle Shepherd and
Timothy Greimel in 2005 alone. The union PAC also paid nearly $1,000 for mailings to
voters, according to campaign documents. Both candidates were elected and were key
votes in approving the latest contract.
In Tuesday's elections, reform-minded Steve Kovacs was defeated by union-endorsed
Beth Talbert. With Kovacs off the Rochester board, there will be one less voice asking
tough questions on spending priorities.
School board elections typically are low-turnout affairs. A 2006 nationwide study by
Terry Moe of the Hoover Institution found that in the typical school election, roughly 9
percent of the public shows up to vote. By comparison, 20 percent of teachers who live in
the district (but work elsewhere) vote on Election Day. Teachers who live and work in
the district are four-and-a-half times more likely to vote.
Add on top of that family members and friends, and it's not difficult to see how the
interests of taxpayers get overwhelmed at the polls.
23
Candidates who earn union endorsements will be the most sympathetic to the union's case
and least likely to look for savings through bidding competitively for health care or
bidding for noninstructional services. The union has become increasingly sensitive to the
plight of the Michigan Educational Special Services Association, its insurance affiliate,
and heading that off at the pass -- at the board level -- is the strategy.
The proliferation of front groups does not help the situation. A quick search of the
Secretary of State's campaign finance search page shows the MEA has more than 20
PACs registered to its name. Keeping track of the money that flows through virtually
every county to influence the outcome of school elections is difficult to do.
Our group tracks these things. Union involvement is a clear indication of who it thinks its
friends will be in labor talks.
There are several actions Michiganians must take to get better control of public
education:
• Know your school board candidates, who has endorsed them and who has contributed to
their campaigns.
• Determine whose interests the candidate will represent: taxpayers and parents' or the
union's.
• Vote for candidates based on who will stretch dollars as far as possible.
Ultimately, taxpayers hold the power in their hands to demand reform of public education
spending in Michigan. But they must know their candidates and vote accordingly to
ensure their wishes are granted and more dollars are freed up for students.
Detroit News
November 9, 2007
Note: Kyle now mails to registered voter lists advocating that only the cheapest health
care bid be accepted. He has also adopted a tactic to publicize MEA staff salaries to try
to generate anger among MEA members. He’s not letting the truth stand in his way:
Support personnel have new contract; teachers still don't
Support personnel at Holton Public Schools have agreed to a new insurance plan that is at
issue in talks over the district's teacher contract, which expired more than four years ago.
The 50 members of the Holton Educational Support Personnel Association recently
agreed to a two-year contract that includes a switch to Priority Health insurance, which is
expected to save the district $50,000 per year, said Superintendent John Fazer.
24
"I think it was a very positive settlement for both groups," Fazer said. "It provided the
district with health-care savings and allowed us to pass some of those savings on to staff
with wage increases."
Support personnel will receive 2 percent wage increases for each of the next two years. In
addition, each member will receive a $250 bonus for signing the contract.
The district is hoping its 70 teachers also will switch insurance providers, an issue that
along with wages has been a sticking point in contract talks.
"Health insurance and wages are the major issues at this point," Fazer said. "I think the
two are intertwined."
Michigan Education Association Uniserv Director Kathleen Maka said working
conditions also are at issue in contract talks and that salaries are a major concern of
teachers. Maka, who assists the teachers' bargaining team with negotiations, said the
highest-paid teachers in Holton earn $11,000 less than the average teacher salary in the
county.
Negotiations with Holton's teachers, who are in their fifth year without a new contract,
have attracted the interest of an outside group, the Education Action Group. The EAG
recently mailed to 1,000 "likely voters" in the district fliers detailing the costs of
insurance options district administrators have presented to the teachers' negotiating team.
Kyle Olson, vice president of strategy for the Muskegon-based EAG, said he is trying to
get residents "engaged" in the issue.
"Typically, the community is not engaged because these are tedious issues ... and people
just are not interested in school issues," Olson said.
Another 1,000-flier mailing claimed Maka earned a 7.7 percent salary increase last year -
- a figure Maka said is false. She said her raise was 2.5 percent, and that she earned more
because she was paid for vacation time she didn't use.
The flier compared her increase to the fact that Holton teachers have had no raise since
the contract expired five years ago. Olson said he was hoping to reach out to teachers
who he believes are not getting their money's worth out of the MEA staff.
"I just want the teachers to think 'What are we getting for our dues?"' Olson said. "Here
they've gone half a decade without a contract, without a raise."
Maka, who's been involved with Holton negotiations for about a year, said the fliers are
"counterproductive."
"All of this just gets in the way," she said. "This is not going to produce a settlement."
25
Teachers currently are insured through the "Super Care" plan offered by MESSA, an
insurance carrier affiliated with the MEA. According to district information, it pays
$1,320 per month per teacher for Super Care.
In comparison, Priority Health costs $1,022 per month, meaning the annual savings
would be $250,000 if teachers agreed to switch. Other options include MESSA plans
costing $1,201 and $1,096 per month and a SET SEG plan costing $1,115 -- though
Maka said SET SEG has not been discussed at the bargaining table.
The district's support personnel had switched from Super Care to SET SEG a year ago,
for their contract that expired June 30. That saved the district $2,500 per employee, Fazer
said. SET SEG is an insurance plan started by the Michigan Association of School
Boards.
Fazer said administrators believe that Priority Health provides "much better coverage"
than SET SEG.
Maka, who also helped negotiate the support personnel contract, said both sides are "very
satisfied" with that agreement.
"The agreement was reached in a very amicable manner," she said.
Muskegon Chronicle
October 19, 2007
Note: This apparently is considered “journalism” by the Grand Rapids Press. It was also
published by the Muskegon Chronicle.
Watchdog has eye on schools
Sitting on a school board can be lonely. Just ask David Allen.
When he cast the tie-breaking vote to privatize busing in Grand Rapids Public Schools,
union members shouted and picketed to protect their jobs. Earlier this year, Allen was
threatened with a recall.
"I know it's been tough on families, but the facts are the facts," Allen said. Grand Rapids
and other districts struggling to balance their budgets have no choice but to continue
cutting costs, he said.
Other school boards, including Reeths-Puffer, have cast similar job-cutting votes and
suffered similar consequences.
Through it all, Kyle Olson has been watching.
26
As budget shortfalls continue to plague school districts throughout the state, Olson wants
to make sure every dollar possible is going toward educating kids. So he created the
nonprofit Education Action Group in June and signed on as its solo employee.
Olson sees his job as an MEA watchdog and the guy who will rally communities to
support school boards when they are casting those tough votes on union contracts and
privatization. He challenged those who unsuccessfully tried to recall Allen and
questioned their motives.
The "silent majority" supports a school board that hires a private company for services
outside the classroom, Olson said, because the board is saving money.
"They want the board to make good decisions so as many dollars as possible go toward
educating children," he said.
But no one wants to back school boards for taking a stand, he said, because that means
going against the powerful Michigan Education Association.
"This has been a very one-sided debate," said the 29-year-old Norton Shores resident, ex-
lobbyist and self-proclaimed public school advocate.
The MEA had no comment regarding Olson's Education Action Group.
"We just don't know anything about them," spokeswoman Karen Schulz said.
In addition to privatizing some services, Olson believes school districts should be free to
drop the pricey health insurance offered by the MEA affiliate called MESSA, or
Michigan Education Special Services Association.
This idea is gaining traction elsewhere, too. The state Senate last week narrowly
approved a bill that for the first time would force MESSA to disclose insurance claims
data, which would allow districts to compare policies and seek competitive bids.
"Competition will help drive down costs," Olson said.
Democrats, who control the House, aren't likely to favor the legislation, however.
Olson is no stranger to politics. He handled government affairs for the Michigan
Association of Realtors, managed Republican Gerald VanWoerkom's campaign for state
Senate in 2002 and ran, unsuccessfully, for the Muskegon County Board of
Commissioners last year.
Education Action Group is a 501(c)4 organization, which means it's a politically focused
nonprofit, like MoveOn.org and the National Rifle Association.
27
Contributions are not tax-deductible. He will not say who has donated, but annual reports
he will be required to file with the IRS will disclose the number and amounts of
donations.
He has put together a board of directors, which he also is shielding -- with the exception
of Chairwoman Jane Missimer, 69, of Muskegon.
She has a "fervent interest in advocacy" and two children who attended public schools,
she said. One of them was in special education.
"The insurance issue caught my attention," said Missimer, who worked as an
ombudsman. "Why are we protecting a union-based program? Why aren't we putting that
money into special education or other programs?"
Olson wants to help boards such as Reeths-Puffer's, which felt persecuted after voting to
hire a private company to clean its schools. A pamphlet distributed in Muskegon County
encouraged residents to boycott Meijer, Walgreens, Verizon and other businesses that
employed school board members.
He's the guy who will point out which school board members have received MEA
campaign contributions (www.educationactiongroup.org) and that MEA Executive
Director Lu Battaglieri's salary last year was $334,174.
"This is not about attacking teachers," he said. "But school districts have X amount of
dollars. They have to make sure that money goes as far as it can."
The Grand Rapids Press
September 10, 2007
28
Collected Responses
A reporter mentions EAG without any meaningful background. This is an opportunity to
fill him or her in on the real story:
I just read the piece on the Education Action Group, referring to it as a
conservative education group. This is accurate as far as it goes, but EAG is much
more.
EAG’s Kyle Olson pretends to be acting as a concerned citizen while he is in fact
a Republican State Committeeman, former Republican staffer, failed Republican
candidate and former lobbyist. EAG was incorporated by Republican Party
General Counsel Eric Doster, whose private practice includes health care industry
clients, clients who are well served by his anti-union work for EAG.
EAG has always refused to disclose its funding sources even in the face of
accusations that it is a Mackinac Center front group. Olson says that EAG
is financed by “a group of citizens and school board leaders” while the EAG
Articles of Incorporation show: “The corporation is to be financed under the
following general plan: contributions from corporate foundations and private
foundations.”
Olson has also formed an IRS 527 group, the Education Action Fund. You’ll
remember the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth was a 527. What does a “non-
partisan” education group need with a 527?
EAG poses as a education reform group, but is in fact a well-financed Republican
party operation charged with opposing the MEA on all fronts. A quick look at
their website establishes this.
Your readers deserve a better description of the EAG so that they can judge its
work. You can’t intelligently listen to anything Olson says without knowing his
background.
It's hard to take Mr. Olson's arguments seriously when he is so dishonest about his
own background.
EAG’s criticism of MEA’s school board election activism One of EAG’s methods is to
attack any support, financial or otherwise, an MEA member makes to a school board
candidate, and to paint that candidate as an MEA stooge. A published letter on this
subject countered this attack as anti-democratic:
Just as Kyle Olson has the right to express his opinion, as he did in his Friday
column, “Counter union influence on school boards,” school employees have the
right to be involved – both individually and collectively – in local elections for
29
school boards. The First Amendment gives all of us that right – just look in the
top left corner of the Detroit News editorial page for a reminder.
On several occasions, Mr. Olson distinguishes between taxpayers and school
employees. He seems to forget that members of the Michigan Education
Association and every other union that represents school employees ARE
taxpayers, with the same rights and responsibilities. They are taxpayers who
believe that public education should be our number one priority. They are
taxpayers who believe that as a group, they can research the candidates, inform
the community and elect leaders who value school employees and the critical role
they play in students’ lives.
Every voter should be well-informed about the candidates and the issues. Efforts
by unionized school employees to educate their communities and increase turnout
in school board elections should be applauded, not condemned. If Mr. Olson and
others choose to support and recommend candidates who believe in cutting their
way to excellence, that is their right. But school employees, parents and other
community members have a right to believe differently – and a right to show it by
electing friends of public education.
EAG attacks MESSA EAG often injects itself into any school bargaining that involves
healthcare, publicizing what it says are better options, never including MESSA coverage.
The following was published in a Upper Peninsula newspaper after Kyle came to town:
So why would Olson—who rubs elbows with some of the biggest names in the
Republican Party— write a letter to the editor all the way up here and call out a
teacher of a rural community college (not to mention contact the teacher’s boss)?
Well, best as I can tell it’s because Bill had the gall to publicly praise MESSA
health insurance and his views don’t gibe with the state Republican Party’s views
on the issue or the their views of working people.
Kyle Olson and the EAG obviously believe that if they tell it long enough and
loud enough, their spin will stick with the good citizens of Michigan. I trust we’re
all smarter than that.
EAG Council Eric Doster runs for Court of Appeals A letter to the Editor pointed out some more
background on Eric Doster:
Eric Doster is running for the Court of Appeals this Tuesday. In 1999, the
conservative wing of the Michigan Supreme Court authored the holding in the
Husted v Auto Owners Insurance Company case, widely seen as benefiting
insurance companies at the expense of individuals. Attorney for the plaintiff
James B. Ford said the ruling was “completely political” and “and until widows
and orphans can donate as much money as insurance companies [to judicial
campaigns], we’ll continue to see these types of decisions.”
30
Eric Doster filed a complaint with the Attorney Grievance Commission,
demanding that Ford’s license to practice law be revoked. The complaint was
dismissed but his attempt should remind us all that he values insurance companies
profits over the freedom of speech.
He is not judicial material.
Kyle Olson as a Carpet Bagger EAG makes a practice of finding difficult bargaining
situations across the state, writing Op Eds that always paint MESSA as too expensive and
the MEA as evil. He often blankets the neighborhoods with postcards and erects
billboards, pushing the same views.
In Gladstone and Grand Rapids his interference served to polarize both sides and delay a
settlement. So his interference amounts to a problem for both sides, leading even some
board members that he professed to support to regret his involvement:
All this begs the question, why is this guy from Muskegon writing columns in our
community newspaper? The answer is simple - Kyle Olson and his Education
Action Group friends despise unions and public schools.
Who are some of those friends? One is disgraced political adviser Dick Morris,
who frequently tag teams with Olson to bash MESSA and anything else related to
organized labor.
Under the EAG banner, Olson has butted into bargaining situations all over the
state, ranging from Grand Rapids to the small town of Gladstone in the Upper
Peninsula. In both cases, his out-of-town "help" wasn't welcome - representatives
from the union AND the school district denounced his union hate-mongering in
both communities. (You can learn more about EAG by going to
www.eagtruth.com.)
So, Mr. Olson, since you're not from around here and don't know anything about
this bargaining situation or this community, let me educate you about what's on
the minds of Wayne-Westland teachers.
We're all looking forward to the start of a new school year. One in which we can
help students succeed. One in which we're supported for the hard work we do.
And one in which our administration is truthful about its priorities and its
finances.
We want what's best for our students, our schools, our families and our
community. And we're going to stand united - shoulder to shoulder with parents,
community leaders and our union brothers and sisters - for what we know is right.
31
EAG front man Dick Morris is quoted on education policy EAG often uses former Clinton
advisor turned Fox News commentator Dick Morris for appearances and YouTube
videos. From the EAGTruth (http://eagtruth.blogspot.com/) blog:
32
District Hit List
• November, 2007 EAG mails postcards to the Holton community arguing MEA
staff was overpaid and comparing health care bids, including SET-SEG, to
MESSA.
• April, 2008 EAG erects billboards in Gladstone while bargaining is underway,
arguing that MEA staff was overpaid .
• May, 2008 shortly before a Grand Rapids school board election, EAG erects
billboards, mails pamphlets and posts on its website and on MEAExposed.com,
arguing that MEA staff is overpaid, that unions have too much influence in the
schools and that union-endorsed candidates should be defeated.
• September, 2008 EAG erects a billboard in Southfield, publicizing the MEA
Exposed website and alleging that MEA initiated a school board recall campaign.
It opposes the recall on its website and on MEAExpose.com.
• October, 2008 EAG mails postcards and writes a newspaper Op-Ed in Reed City
supporting board members facing recall.
EAG emails its support for Wayne State University Board of Governors candidate
Danialle Karmanos.
• November, 2008 EAG writes an Op-Ed, is quoted in a news article and runs an
advertisement in local newspapers in an attempt to influence the crisis bargaining
in Wayne-Westland and the resulting recall campaign. It also files a series of
Freedom of Information requests focused on member emails, in an attempt to
show the recall campaign is orchestrated by the MEA.
• January 2009 EAG writes an Op Ed in Caseville newspaper, alleging MESSA is
too expensive and MEA “fights dirty.” Kyle predicts a recall campaign and says
that he knows the minds of the community better than the teachers.
EAG writes an Letter to the Editor in Three Rivers newspaper that the
Superintendent later reads during a board meeting, alleging MESSA is too
expensive . Kyle predicts a recall campaign.
• February 2009 Kyle writes a Letter to the Editor in the Flint Journal inventing a
myth that a recall in the Westwood Heights school district is orchestrated by the
MEA. The recall organizers write a response with a categorical denial. The recall
succeeds.
33
EAG Scoreboard
District Activity Aim Outcome
Holton Postcards End MESSA MESSA retained
Gladstone Billboards End MESSA MESSA retained
YouTube video Defeat board Recall suspended
Recall while in mediation
Grand Rapids Billboards Defeat board 1 of 3 board
Postcards recall members recalled
Southfield Billboards Defeat board Recall petition
recall withdrawn
Reed City Newspaper Op Ed Defeat board All board members
Postcards recall recalled
Wayne-Westland Newspaper Op Ed End MESSA MESSA retained
Newspaper Ad Defeat board 3 board members
FOIA requests recall recalled
Caseville Newspaper Op Ed End MESSA Bargaining
Three Rivers Newspaper Letter to End MESSA MESSA retained
the Editor
Westwood Heights Newspaper Letter to Defeat board All board members
the Editor recall recalled
Cass City 3 Newspaper Letters to End MESSA Bargaining
the Editor
Press Release
Statewide Newspaper Op Ed MESSA rate None
Press Release holiday
Leslie Newspaper Op Ed End MESSA Bargaining
Newspaper Ad Cut teacher pay
` Privatize
34
Charlevoix Newspaper Op Ed End MESSA MESSA retained
Billboard Retain Board Incumbents defeated
incumbents
Grand Rapids Postcards Defeat MEA 2 of 3 Union Endorsed
Endorsed Bd Candidates win
Candidates
35
The Truth About MESSA
EAG’s messaging always accepts as fact that MESSA coverage is more expensive. The
experience of an increasing number of school districts suggests otherwise:
Pinckney teachers came back to MESSA January 1, 2009 after a 35% increase in their
non-MESSA plan. The MESSA plan will save the district $334,000 over the last six
months of the school year. In 2006 insurance consultant Oak Pointe Group promised the
Pinckney district annual savings of $600,000 per year if it moved employees to a high
deductible, non-MESSA plan.
Jackson Public Schools superintendent, central office staff and administrators are
returning to MESSA February , 2009 in a cost-saving move.
Mason administrators and non-MEA staff came back to MESSA November 1, 2008 after
a 40% rate increase over two years in their non-MESSA plan.
The West Michigan Health Insurance Pool hit its members with a 21.7 % rate increase
for 2007-2008 plus a $1.8 million special assessment due in the middle of the fiscal year
(October 31, 2007). The huge increase prompted the WMHIP board to consider a new
plan with higher employee cost-sharing.
Waverly support staff came back to MESSA January 1, 2009. MESSA Choices II PPO
w/$10/$20 is $254 less per month for full family than BCBSM Plan One.
Traverse City Area Schools lost more than $1 million dollars in two years away from
MESSA. The district had been promised annual savings of $600,000 from a MEBS
“wrap” around a high deductible plan that was supposed to be “just as good as MESSA.”
The plan was a nightmare for employees and the district. Staff in the HR department
handled appeals of claims denials and pre-approved surgeries. One employee whose
daughter needed breast reduction surgery was shocked when asked by the HR department
for photos before it could approve surgery.
The Holland school board imposed a non-MESSA health plan on its employees in 2006
after the board promised the coverage was “just like MESSA.” Complaints about the
coverage and service mounted. Some employees chose not to seek medical treatment
because of the cost, the paperwork and to protect their privacy. After six months, Holland
came back to MESSA.
Lansing Public Schools administrators and non-union staff came back to MESSA in
2007 after six months in a SET-SEG high-deductible health plan. They left SET-SEG
because of claims processing hassles and coverage issues.
St. Johns Public Schools administrators and non-union staff came back to MESSA
because, according to their Business Manager, MESSA’s plan was less expensive and
MESSA’s quality of service was much higher
36
St. Joseph teachers moved to ASR administered self-funded plan in 2006 for a projected
savings of $400,000 to $600,000. The benefits consultant overestimated savings and the
district underestimated actual claims costs, resulting in a huge deficit in the claims fund.
District employees had to give back the 2 % raise to fund the district’s deficit.
Flushing Community Schools. The rates for the Flushing OP Flex Blue Plan with AP
Wrap are now $590 single, $1,293 two-person and $1,549 full family. Rates for MESSA
Choices II with $10/$20 rates in a nearby district are $493 single, $1109 two-person, and
$1232 full family.
Lawton support staff (who have MESSA) were asked last April to fill out a personal
health history (including dependents’ health history) so a commissioned insurance agent
could assess the employees’ health status and bid on the business. Employees were asked
to disclose all health conditions including pregnancy complications, infertility, anxiety,
depression, suicide attempts and HIV/AIDS. They were also asked to sign a form
waiving their HIPAA privacy rights and giving the insurer (UnitedHealthcare) and its
affiliates permission to “obtain, use and disclose” the employees’ “medical, claim or
benefit records, including any identifiable health information.” After a public furor about
the invasion of privacy, the administration withdrew its request.
37
Why MEA Members Bargain for MESSA
I don't think anyone would argue that MESSA coverage is the only key to recruiting and
attracting top quality teachers. But it certainly is a primary factor for many. In our 2008
member poll, MESSA scored 98 percent satisfaction. Members highlighted our
outstanding member service and comprehensive coverage -- including our wellness
programs and support for preventive care. We're a leader in member education on
wellness and have our own in-house nurses for asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular
support programs.
In the same poll, 92 percent of our members said having MESSA coverage was an
important factor in their job satisfaction and 56 percent said it was a major factor.
members tell us having MESSA gives them peace of mind so they can focus on their jobs
-- helping students succeed.
Eighty percent of our members said that, if given a choice between a job with MESSA
coverage and one with insurance from another carrier, they would choose the job with
MESSA coverage.
MESSA is different than other health insurers because we were chartered as a not-for-
profit membership association (in 1960). Our only mission is to provide quality health
benefits and outstanding service to Michigan school employees. Members are our only
stakeholders. We do not have to generate profits to please any stockholders.
MESSA is a Michigan business success story. We provide a great value in the market
(Pinckney's teachers just came back to MESSA, saving the district more than $330,000
over the next six months alone) and we are very efficient. We employ more than 300
people right here in Michigan, and when our members call our award-winning Member
Service Center -- the phones are answered by real people in East Lansing.
Gary Fralick
Director of Communications
MESSA
38
Talking Points
The work product of the Education Action Group consists of Kyle Olson being quoted as
“Vice President for Strategy.” He is actually the Secretary of this non-profit. According
to the EAG tax return, his compensation reaches just under $80,000 per year, for which
he works just 1 hour a week. The two other officers work without pay. Notwithstanding
this confusion, the reality is that all of EAG’s work is done by Olson.
The EAG represents itself as a non-partisan group. Kyle Olson has run for office as a
Republican, worked for Republican politicians, is a State Committeeman for the
Republican Party (2nd District), and worked as district director and campaign manager
for Republican Gerald VanWoerkom’s Senate campaign in 2002
The EAG states that one of its core beliefs is that teacher healthcare should be subject to
the “competitive bidding” process. This stance serves to benefit Eric Doster, General
Counsel for the state Republican Party who incorporated EAG and who lists healthcare as
one of his private practice areas. MESSA is not one of those clients.
D. Joseph Olson (founder and board member of the Mackinac Center – where Kyle’s
brother Ryan worked until recently as Director of Education Policy) is also Vice
President and General Counsel for Amerisure Insurance Company, which would also
benefit from any market share lost by MESSA.
Kyle Olson criticizes the MEA for being involved in lobbying efforts. Olson worked as a
paid political lobbyist for the Michigan Association of Realtors and worked as
government affairs/public policy director for the West Michigan Lakeshore Association
of Realtors.
Kyle Olson consistently refuses to release the names of the organizations that fund EAG.
He represents the EAG as “a group of citizens and school board leaders” that is financed
by “reform-minded citizens.” The EAG’s Articles of Incorporation state that the EAG is
to be funded by “contributions from corporate foundations and private foundations.”
Olson repeatedly professes that EAG is “nonpartisan.” But a month after Eric Doster
incorporated the Education Action Group, Olson filed articles of incorporation for the
"Education Action Fund" an IRS 527 organization. 527’s are expressly political
organizations under federal law: the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth was also a 527.
39
The Lies and the Truth
The Lie The Truth
EAG is “a group of citizens and school board EAG was founded by Republicans, it is
leaders” financed by “reform-minded funded by Republicans and it is run by a
citizens.” Republican. EAG works to reduce union
influence on all things educational, laying
the groundwork for a Right to Work ballot
proposal.
EAG is financed by “reform-minded EAG’s Articles of Incorporation state that it is
citizens.” funded by ““contributions from corporate
foundations and private foundations.” EAG
steadfastly refuses to reveal any of its
funders.
Releasing the list of EAG contributors would IRS rules allow 501(c)(4) organizations, like
put them in danger. EAG to refuse to share their contributor lists.
But IRS rules require that 527 organizations
(Swift Boat Veterans for Truth) must share
theirs. If any contributors are at risk, it’s 527
contributors, but their funders lists are widely
available.
EAG is nonpartisan. EAG was founded by Republicans, it is
funded by Republicans and it is run by a
Republican. Its connections to the
Republican, business-financed Mackinac
Center are beyond doubt.
The MEA forces its members to bargain for MEA members bargain for MESSA because
MESSA coverage. they prefer it, often accepting lower pay in
order to keep it.
MEA staff receives bonuses for bargaining Ten years ago the myth shared in
MESSA. Republican circles was that MEA staff
received profit-sharing checks from MESSA
each month. Neither myth is true.
MEA members fight for MESSA because: Only an idiot would believe that.
“they can't live without coverage for such
things as sex-change operations and
massages.”
40
Appendix
EAG Articles of Incorporation
EAG Tax Return
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49