MEA Votes

Last week, the Legislature passed a retirement bill for state employees similar to what passed for school employees last spring. However, since then, lawmakers have heard your angry reaction about the additional 3 percent of salary going toward retiree health insurance, forcing them to think twice about the state employee bill. This prompted a compromise in last week's action -- a three-year limit on the 3 percent retirement health insurance contribution by state employees.

This week, lawmakers need to hear from school employees again, this time with a simple message -- "Me too!"

Lansing politicians from both sides of the aisle decided late last night to balance their state budget problems on the backs of middle-class teachers and support staff, instead of working on real reforms to move Michigan forward.

The Senate, led by Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, and the House (also led by Bishop, although state Rep. Andy Dillon is “technically” Speaker of the House) passed “compromise” bills that call for school employees to pay 3% of their salary for retirement benefits -- that may not be there when they retire!

In another devastating blow to Michigan's children, lawmakers in Lansing last night passed the Retirement bill that will not only have an adverse effect on current educational staff looking to retire, it will also cost Michigan schools much more money in the long run.

From MEA President Iris K. Salters -

This morning on WJR, Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop told Frank Beckmann and his listeners that the House version of SB 1227 (the pension reform and early retirement legislation) would cause some pensions for school employees in excess of $100,000 per year.

Apparently, the Senator either hasn't bothered to read the bill or he has no clue how pensions are calculated...perhaps both?

Here's a little lesson for Senator Bishop...

On Friday, Gov. Granholm apparently signed up for the “Take It Out On The Public Employees Club,” joining its ranks alongside Sen. Bishop and Speaker Dillon. Her assault on public employee retirement is another chapter in what is becoming a very long and boring book – especially for Michigan voters who are sick of budget games and gimmicks.

For those who were gazing at the retirement horizon before the alarming financial events of September, these times are enough to make you sit upright and reassess your thinking. It ought to also make you pay closer attention to what’s being promised in the political arena.