Local News

House votes to end health benefits for lawmakers

By Tim Martin Associated Press Writer
2/3/2010

LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- The Michigan House voted Tuesday to eliminate retiree health care coverage for future state lawmakers but not those currently in office.

Some lawmakers said the measure doesn't go far enough to show taxpayers that elected public officials are willing to share their pain.

Current law allows former state lawmakers who served at least six years in the Legislature to get health coverage once they turn 55, mostly at taxpayer expense. It cost nearly $5 million to provide health and dental benefits to 341 retired lawmakers and their dependents in the 2007-08 fiscal year.

The perk has come under fire in an era where many private sector workers have had benefits slashed or had to pay more out of their own pocket for coverage.

The bill passed 103-1 in the Democrat-led House would end retiree health care benefits for state legislators elected in 2010 and afterward. The measure now goes to the Republican-led Senate, where it could be incorporated into other proposals that would reduce benefits for public employees in Michigan.

Both the House and Senate have passed bills in recent years that would scale back retirement coverage or make lawmakers work longer to get it. But neither chamber has passed the same version, so state law hasn't changed and the old system remains in place.

That fueled concern that lawmakers weren't serious about reducing their own benefits. The bill passed by the House on Tuesday wouldn't affect current lawmakers and would have no immediate impact on the state's budget, which faces a $1.6 billion shortfall for the fiscal year starting next October.

"I feel this doesn't go far enough," said Rep. Dian Slavens, a Democrat from Wayne County's Canton Township.

Slavens is the legislation's sponsor. It would have covered many current lawmakers, including herself, as introduced. But it was amended to cover only lawmakers first elected after Nov. 1, 2010 before the House voted on the measure.

Slavens said she will continue to push for current lawmakers to lose the lifetime benefit as well. Slavens said she would voluntarily give up her own coverage, which she would qualify for if she spends six years in the House.

Rep. Marty Knollenberg, R-Troy, said Tuesday's measure was "better than nothing" but that he also would push to eliminate lifetime benefits for current lawmakers.

Democratic Rep. David Nathan of Detroit was the only lawmaker voting against the measure, questioning why it wouldn't include current lawmakers.

"If we're going to take a vote to eliminate health care, we should include ourselves as well," Nathan said. "If we're going to take a vote like this, we should put ourselves on the line."

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