(MPRN-Lansing) Hundreds of police officers and firefighters converged Wednesday on the state Capitol. They rallied to protect retirement benefits.
The Legislature’s Republican leaders have made a public employee retirement overhaul a priority to be wrapped up this year before the 2018 election season. A governor’s task force made recommendations on addressing underfunded benefits. But GOP leaders say those don’t go far enough.
Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller says fixing the problem should not be at the expense of retired first responders.
“To talk about somebody wanting to change your health care benefits to something you never agreed while you were an employee, or your union never agreed to, is a dangerous situation. It creates un-trust.”
There is no legislation introduced at this point, but a state House committee has opened hearings on the issue.