Michigan Budget Bill: Senate Bill 0832 22/23 School Budget (The Difference Between Governor and Senate Proposals)

 Laurentius de Voltolina 1350's
Education during Renaissance
Of course  change means we now education both boys and girls and its an 
important function in society. We must always learn to be
better at it. Budgets are part of that process
of allocating money where it will have the greatest
impact is fundamental to educational advancement and opportunity.
Notice how education moved from elite groups to the general masses.

Education is fundamental and when we support education in conjunction with other state improvements in infrastructure, attracting new investments, and fiscally responsible governance we are taking a step forward. Funding should come with new ways of doing things to create development and improve learning outcomes. Where dollars are placed and spent make a big difference. Some programs help and some are more political. Some will improve upon education and some leak the use of valuable resources. I hate waste and believe that programs should be fruitful and when not money should be allocated to other areas where they create higher student and state returns.  A few generic ideas....

1.) The impact of new money should always be maximized by cross supporting different state needs (Different programs that support and enhance each other for higher total outcomes. i.e. If we need more technology workers then we should make sure we can support those economic objectives within curriculum, technology available to students and general budget.)

2.) Developing innovation for maximization of educational outcomes is important. We can't improve unless we try new things (I would have liked to see money allocated to new educational methods to test and see if they would work. I know I'm a research guy but I believe it creates learning organizations and fiscal responsibility in the long run when performance and resource allocation improve. I have heard the word moral indignation to describe the fear of change {and other issues} in education without discussing the greater purpose of education to advance society. One could make an opposite argument that lack of change and improvement to support further learning in society could also have its own moral hazards. Elitism can be destructive and so all systems should adapt and grease the wheels of opportunity.)

3.) We should listen to industry and business so that we develop the ability of students to succeed personally and through global competitiveness. If we know what they want, in addition to other stakeholders, we can better match funding to needs (That doesn't mean they have the only needs but they are one of the important reasons we educate our population.).

4.) The quality of our schools are an attractor or detractor to international recruitment of highly skilled employees. Quality is always important and education is one avenue where improvements can be made that impact the state's attractiveness (I have seen people have lots of great and poor theories and those seem to come from their training and political stance. New ideas are difficult to find and sometimes we are stuck in thinking from PhD's who were trained by other PhDs in ways that support their personal positions within industries. i.e. the decision makers of education. I've seen ideas come forward in different venues that are not practical {sometimes very practical} and are directly tied to their previous training and backgrounds. Its like seeing U.S. K-12 education struggle for global competitiveness and then repeating the same ideas in different forms by selling them as new ideas but not breaking the mold. Sometimes it becomes an exercise of enhancing self/political interest through promoting existing beliefs in research/programs and not the interests of the student or society.)

5.) A master conception of how public, private, and online schools should function within the state and how they maximize graduation and learning to create personal and professional competitiveness is important (I don't think I have ever seen this in governance on such a level. There are plans but they are limited in scope. It may be there but I might not have seen it. What is the total strategy, goals, outcomes, implementation strategy and what they expect to achieve? ). 

6.) Develop metric sets that help determine the value of such education programs in terms of quality of life, tax return, and state/national development (Remember that metrics are great and they also can blind you so they are important in some ways but continuously must change and adjust so as to not mislead us. Use metrics wisely and always judge their root assumptions.)

Its easy for me to sort of blow out a few comments that are of a general nature without providing significant details (This isn't a study and only a lukewarm opinion. Its blog post designed to get us to think about the greater things we are doing.). Whether or not the funding is going to make an impact is highly dependent on the master plan of education and how that will create increased competitiveness. 

I'm not sure if we have a master plan supported by research that ensures maximum outcomes. Just like in the development of online education, it is important to meta-analyze all of the pertinent research to understand what is likely to have the biggest impact and how those different educational components work together to create environmental impact (Online education is now here to stay and it will adapt and had its benefits during COVID. It will also likely further create dispersed education society. It, like traditional methods, must change and adapt.).

I'm not really saying anything we shouldn't already be doing or know so one can read and make up their own mind. You can see the differences in emphasis between the Governor and the Senate in red and black of the final column. I'm not knowledgeable of each of the programs to really understand their impact. I don't have opinion if there is a right and wrong versus an emphasis in outcomes. So read, learn, study and make a conclusion.

Likewise, I'm not yet highly involved in politics yet (getting there as I'm starting to see the bigger picture. Kind of what I'm waiting for. That and a few things I need to take care of first. You have to be clear and free to focus. You also have to define your values independently and the political structure of society.) so I'm a little at a loss to comment on any particular program. I am qualified to comment on the general purposes of education and their overall impact on society. The rest is implementation strategies that take specific knowledge within the framework of general application (It would be interesting to see if saved money could be used for further exploration that advances new ways of learning and/or emphasis new programs that meet state needs.)

A solid description in Michigan Senate passes budget proposal, includes record funding for K-12 education, State superintendent urges Michigan lawmakers to invest more in K-12 system and MI Senate passes 2023 budget plan

You can read the actual Senate Bill 0832. The bill was sponsored by Wayne Schmidt (R) from 37th District.  You can read more about it below.

2021-SFA-0832-U 22'/23' School Budget Michigan by Dr. Murad Abel on Scribd

428K Jobs Added in April, 2022 3.6% Unemployment Rate!

 Yippie!!!!  🥳 👷

Pictures of Thurby Derby Churchill Downs 2022

 If your a horse person you might like a few pictures of Thurby Derby. These events bring a lot of money to cities and local communities if managed well. 

Obligations Beyond Money: Processes Have Impact on Communities

 Sometimes we get into a situation where money is important and we don't see the greater responsibilities to society. While I agree that profit is often the main concern, we have options to change processes, so as to develop more sustainable practices. 

Let us look at the following situation...... 

Trash is flowing onto the ground and the street. This wasn't a 1X rush of customers but likely a many hour delay of not picking up the trash. 

One could argue they don't have the staff but one could also say that is unlikely to be the cause. It would be fairly simple to just have everyone at the end of their shift empty the cans and clean the grounds. 

Of course profits often come above the community. In this case trash was blowing across the road and into people's yards and businesses. I don't think they should be on the receiving end of others poor management and if your going to have a business then manage it well. 

This is unlikely a staffing issue and more of a process issue as well as a management issue. A strong manger would have picked it up right away and not let it look like its trashed.  They would have trained their employees and enforced its values (beyond money).

From what I see on their reviews it also looks like poor management and other problems have upset customers for some time. 

I'm not a big regulation/ordinance/code guy but if a business can't manage its affairs it should be fined. There is more than profits at stake.  A few fines might get the point across. 

I removed identifying labels because its not about embarrassing but it is about awareness. Its actually worse than the pics. Trash littered everywhere.  

Stepping Up to Bullying in Our Schools: LEAD program

Bullying is a big issue in today's society. I guess it was in the past but we didn't understand the long term implications. There are bullies (who are actually also victims in many ways of prior poor socialization) and there are victims (The ones that disturb their sense of superiority). We have responsibilities to hold bullies accountable to higher standards and ensure that we don't gloss over their behaviors. Sometimes that is forcing them to deal with issues and other times it might be protective boundaries.

I was walking out of a CVS and a few ladies hit me up for a donation. I said that I would post this for them and perhaps make a few comments. Consider donating so as to create resources in our communities. Early intervention for both the bullies and the victims is important.

Let me say that bullies don't always grow up. I have met a few bullies that did grow up from childhood but those networks (i.e. "super cool") are likely to be bullies much of their lives. They lack accountability and in embed themselves in distorted networks that coordinate their projection of inadequacies onto others through group aggressions and ostracization (In a case I'm familiar with, these groups cling to their mediocre sports identities and networks decades after they have become irrelevant. Most were average players and never played college sports or were professional. Its a distortion of identity desperately clinging to something to make them feel special/"entitled".) 

Bullies lack the ability to step back from themselves and turn on the light so as to see themselves more clearly. Feeling (and in some cases being) inadequate is difficult for people to handle because we are dealing with the inability to create enough insight (dispersed neural networks) to have self-reflection and find steps to their own improvement (We can use a sort of mental control group of the opposite where higher skill sets and intelligence are found. Research Empathy and Gifted).

Without intervening when they are young bullies will carry those distorted values and aggressions into later life (Its sad and I wish in many ways they would seek the help they need. Few can have heightened levels of aggression without other problems). Some of these now adults encourage/socialize their own children to be bullies and in turn as adults don't have boundaries of bullying other's kids (I have seen adults involve and damage kids for financial and personal/social gain. Some have complained that these now bully adults have become coaches that only play the kids they like, get upset at those kids still learning and are condescending to those who make mistakes. I can't say if that is true but I have heard it is so from I believe 2-3 different people who had kids in sports programs. For some it is a pattern of thinking and this is why the culture of sporting should focus on health, learning, positive socialization, and development. You can win a kid's game or you can help kids win for a lifetime.  I believe most of the coaches are doing the right thing and a positive contribution to children but bad coaches are bad coaches.). While these behaviors may be immoral (...and in some places illegal. Depending on the integrity, insight, and ability of the system.) they are often not followed up on leaving the most ignorant of society a free hand to repeat prior poor behaviors to different people throughout their lives (not in all cases. Some do gain insight.). 

While I'm not involved with this organization (They seem legit to me!) I can say I agree with what they are doing and want to share......

Who is Annette? Customer Service at the Finest by a Full Time Waitress

 I was in the airport comped by airline with a Las Vegas hotel, new flight, and meal vouchers  for a cancellation mid trip. I already changed my day because they had informed me a few days prior they adjusted my flight and turned an 1.5 hour layover into an 8 hour. I asked that they just switch the day and they did. Except once I got to Las Vegas they cancelled the flight stranding masses of people in Las Vegas. I was annoyed and nice (Its not the employees fault) but some customers were livid so they asked the local sheriff to come down and sort of stand there and make a presence for the long line of customers (I feel bad for that sheriff because he seemed a little uncomfortable being there. That is why I respect them. They have a tough job and sometimes have to do things they may not agree with.). I didn't see any real commotion but yes people were upset. (They really messed upon this one up and a crowd of upset customers were clamoring for answers. Someone said they overbooked but that is unlikely to be this particular issue. Issue #1. If I buy a seat I should own that seat and it shouldn't be resold if that is happening. Even if its vacant I would think I still paid for it....its my prerogative not to show up. Maybe I'm supporting the govt. bail out. 🤷 Issue #2. There is no slack in the system and not a stand by plane per region that can pick up when something goes down. As long as they can get there within a few hours you don't need to strand everyone for days. Yet...I must admit I don't know how the system works. #3 While the employees did their best there are additional expenses that come with such cancellations and they often get dumped on customers as the company seeks to maximize its profits and minimize costs. Maybe some compensation per day might be helpful and discouraged further human mistakes. #4 Reimbursement should be quick and within a few days once receipts are submitted. The company website said once I submitted the receipt for the 2X pet and 2X baggage stated 30 days to get back to me. Yikes! Archaic! #5 Trying to call in to get the second comp was sadly a few hour affair with an Indian call center with employees that didn't have the power to help and had to escalate everything. While I called the night prior at 1 am to set up the second comp and was promised it would come to my email it was not there. The next day their lines were locked down. I think they might want to give those comps right away when they know you are there for a few days. I had only an hour before being forced to check out and was struggling to reach someone. #6 Perhaps a designated line with empowered employees to handle such chaos would be helpful.  Employees tried  their best with existing cheapskate policies but the industry is what it is! ). 

Sorry I digressed. I hate cancellations! I like Las Vegas! Overall I enjoyed most of my time and that only had to do with the hotel and location. Not the flight. All is good. 

Anyway....

Two days later I came to the airport to eat early and be prepared in case there are other issues as me and others were switched to another airline. I had a meal comp and the waitress gave some good advice. You can only use it once so she suggested things I can take with me (Not sure the airline would appreciate it but oh well no one appreciates being stranded by someone else's mistakes.). An extra coffee, banana, apple...etc.... 

Either way. I can't put a tip on the comp (I think they should allow that. Its part of the meal expense!). Not having cash I offered to buy something small so I could give her a tip. She said "no no please don't do that". I insisted and she adamantly didn't want to trouble me. So I promised to write a great review of her on her company's Google page. I did that!!!

Annette is ready to retire. She has worked something like 30 years in the food business. She wouldn't mind working part-time but isn't interested in full time work anymore. Who can blame her! Dealing with people is tough business (I bet some of the airline employees feel the same.)

She seems like the ideal employee. Kind, considerate, forward thinking, and consistent. I suggested to the company they make her, when she retires, a part-time trainer. She can teach others the essence of customer service and how to treat people well and with dignity. The difference between a professional and a newbie. She has a lot of knowledge to give back.

Positive customer service such as those who work the front lines are what makes or breaks a company. Without strong customer service behaviors of frontline employees, businesses run risks in customer perception that leads to lower future sales. In this case, she not only reflected well on herself but also the company. So I will likely go back and frequent the restaurant again.

As investors and executives make money ensure that you are not forgetting "The little Guy/Gal!" Without them....you don't have much!

What Will it Take to Make Michigan a Top 10 State? | Detroit Economic Club

 Interesting stuff. You may want to watch. Not a lot of time to write about it but its a great organization with lots of awesome information.