The Legislature has sent Governor Rick Snyder a set of local retirement bills that passed by wide margins once they were stripped of controversial provisions.
The bills stalled last week as local governments and public employee unions protested measures that would give the state sweeping authority over local budgets. Those were taken out, and now local governments will have their retirement plans assessed by the state Treasury, says state Senate Majority LeaderArlan Meekhof.
“And then folks that have no financial issues will go on their merry way and continue what they’re doing.”
Meekhof says it’s reasonable to ask local governments to make sure they can keep the promises they make to their workers and their retirees. He says the question of what to do about locals that refuse to properly fund their plans may be revisited in the future.
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— Rick Pluta is the Managing Editor and Reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network. Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org