Republicans: Teachers sending political emails must go to jail
Read Time:1 Minute, 18 Second
The Republican-led Michigan House of Representatives is considering legislation that would prohibit public employees, such as teachers, from sending a political message using a publicly-owned email service.
Violating the law would result in a $10,000 fine for an organization, and a $1,000 fine and one-year imprisonment for an individual teacher.
The House Oversight, Reform and Ethics Committee adopted the bill, HB 4052, by a 4 to 2 vote along party lines last week. It was first introduced by Republican state Rep. Al Pscholka in January, shortly after he was sworn in to his first term in service to the 79th House District.
The Michigan Education Association, a union representing the state’s teachers, said the bill was “political payback” after a conservative activist lost a legal battle over the use a school district’s email service for union lobbying efforts. The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled the emails were not subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
“This is more than just another blatant attack on public workers and their unions,” the Michigan Education Association said in a statement. “This is an unconstitutional attack on every citizen’s right to freedom of speech and freedom of association.”
The Livingston Daily noted that the bill cannot be enforced without modifying the state’s Freedom of Information Act, which lawmakers so far have not considered doing. Rep. Pscholka said the law would depend on co-workers who report violations by their colleagues.
Do you think teachers should be subject to jail for sending emails?
Hat tip to Raw Story
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0
OK, everybody to the iphones and Blackberries!
That’s the way to go Bill!!! I think I’ll send a text right now.
I agree that it’s inappropriate, but JAIL really ?! I thought we had a problem of overcrowding in the prison system.
Can you imagine how much better the world would be without the 30%-fringe crazies?
I don’t think teachers, or any public sector employee, should be converting tax dollar purchased equipment, or time, for their own purposes. Such behavior should be clearly explained in a policy manual and there should be sanctions for violators. They could range from loss of equipment privileges if not necessary for work, suspension, or termination for three or more violations. Criminal sanctions? Only a Republican could think of and support such nonsense.
Those computers were bought with tax dollars , for educational purposes . the governor has to much time on his Republican inbred ways .