Lawmakers punt on retiree health care cuts

From MLive

LANSING, MI -- Close to 500 police and firefighters gathered at the capitol Tuesday morning in what started out as a protest and turned into a celebration when lawmakers punted most of the package they were opposing into 2017.

"This isn't over, but this is for now a huge victory," Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union President Mark Docherty told the crowd.

Police and fire unions rallied members for the event after lawmakers started to consider a series of bills that would have forced communities whose retiree health care was less than 80 percent funded to pay 80 percent of less of health care benefits for their retirees.

The package was opposed by AARP Michigan, which mobilized members to contact their lawmakers and urge a “no” vote.

The bills attempt to address what sponsors point to as a looming fiscal crisis: more than $7 billion in unfunded health care liabilities across Michigan municipalities, according to one study.

There were some exceptions for existing contracts, but police and firefighters, who tend to retire early, worried about a disproportionate effect.

But House Speaker Kevin Cotter, R-Mt. Pleasant, announced just before a Tuesday hearing on the bills that the bulk of the package would not be considered during the lame-duck session.

Police and fire representatives said their members had made the difference.

At the same time the Michigan Municipal League, a group looking to address the long-term liability related to municipal retiree health care, said it too had requested a delay. The legislation was complex and difficult to consider in a lame-duck environment, said the league's Director State and Federal Affairs Chris Hackbarth in a statement.

"For that reason, the League requested the House delay action on this proposal at this time and allow the opportunity to work with Gov. Rick Snyder, the incoming Legislature, and all of the relevant interest groups in the next term," he said.

Cotter told reporters on Tuesday that he made the decision by evaluating the time for consideration, not because of the police presence at the capitol.

"The presence here today didn't get us to the decision that was made, I made this decision last night," Cotter said.

Frank Russo, 32, of Eaton Rapids, is a firefighter in Lansing. He came to show support and advocate for a more nuanced approach to any future legislation.

"I think they need to consider that they can't just do a blanket coverage type of decision," Russo said.

Jane Walter, 62, of Oakland, is a retired police officer from Pontiac. She came to make sure lawmakers heard from the people this type of policy would affect. That won't stop with new legislation in 2017, she said.

"If we have to we'll just keep coming back... because they're not reaching out to the police, the firefighters, the city employees," Walter said.

Scott Stoker, 43, is a captain with the Summit Township Fire Department and lives in Spring Arbor. He said police and firefighters needed to have input at any new legislation.

"They need to sit down with all the unions, the members that are going to be affected by the bills, and address the issues before they just run something through," Stoker said.

Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, and Sen. Curtis Hertel, D-Lansing, spoke at the rally in solidarity with those gathered.

"The Senate has your back," said Jones. "There are no votes for this in the Senate that I can find."

Hertel promised to stand up for the men and women who protect Michiganders.

"I know this bill is dead for now. But we've got to make sure that it's dead forever," Hertel said.