Attacks on your future!
Two things that we need to take action on;
#1 We have received word that the full Senate intends to discharge SB 1046 and SJR P (Senate Joint Resolution) from the Reform Committee to the full Senate. SB 1046 is the bill limiting public employers to paying no more than 80% of health care premiums for employees. SJR P is a proposed constitutional amendment to authorize the State to do this.
#2 Yesterday, the Retirement sub-committee of the Senate Appropriations Committee moved the school employee retirement bill, SB 1227 to the full Appropriations Committee with some changes. We expect the full Appropriations Committee to move it to the floor of the Senate for fast action either today or tomorrow.
As it now stands, the bill provides:
1. The increased pension multiplier for folks who retire between July 1 and September 1, 2010 IS ELIMINATED AS IN GONE, KAPUT, NULLIFIED. In this version of the Senate bill, there is not a sweetener to get people to retire early.
2. The punitive elimination of dental and vision coverage for those who retire after September 1, 2010 is still in the bill.
3. The outrageous increase of 3% of salary to pay for the mismanagement and under funding of the pension by the State is still in the bill.
4. The cap of 30 years on earned service credit is still in the bill.
5. The “hybrid” pension plan for new hires is still in the bill although the Senate version changes the minimum retirement age in the plan to 60 (the Governor proposed the age at 65).
Make the calls and send the e-mails today. Focus on your state Senator for now.
Senator Wayne Kuipers – senwkuipers@senate.michigan.gov 517-373-6920 (Ottawa county)
Senator Patricia Birkholz – senpbirkholz@senate.michigan.gov 517-373-3447 (Allegan county)
Representative David Agema – daveagema@house.mi.gov 517-373-8900 (Coopersville/Jenison)
Representative Joe Haveman – josephhaveman@house.mi.gov 517-373-0830 (Holland/Zeeland/Hudsonville)
Representative Arlan Meekhof – arlanbmeekhof@house.mi.gov 517-373-0838 (Rest of Ottawa County)
Representative Bob Genetski- bobgenetski@house.mi.gov(517) 373-0836 (District 88, Saugatuck)
