House passes, Senate Rejects MEA-Supported Pension Reforms

From "MEA VOICE Online" ----
House passes, Senate rejects MEA-supported pension reforms

SB 1227 goes to conference committee next -- make your voice heard in support of House version

On Tuesday, the state House passed its version of pension reform legislation that would offer an early retirement incentive without any of Gov. Granholm's penalties for continuing to work. (See article on the blog from April 26th).
As reported by MEA last week, the House version of SB 1227 also would ensure that remaining school employees who pay an additional 3 percent into the retirement system get value for their contributions in the form of secure retirement health benefits.
MEA supported this version of SB 1227, which passed on a vote of 59-45.

Shortly after the House's action, the Senate voted to reject the changes to the bill -- that vote started the conference committee process, wherein representatives from the two chambers meet to iron out the significant differences in the House and Senate versions of the bill.

Members of the conference committee include
Rep. Mark Meadows (D-East Lansing),
Rep. Martin Griffin (D-Jackson),
Rep. James Bolger (R-Marshall),
Sen. Mark Jansen (R-Grand Rapids),
Sen. Judson Gilbert (R-Algonac), and
Sen. Deborah Cherry (D-Burton).
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Please use your home emails to contact the legislators!

At this time, there is not a meeting scheduled for this conference committee, but MEA will keep you informed of any developments