Local governments and police and firefighter unions are keeping a close eye on hearings to begin this week at the state Capitol. GOP leaders are proposing more aggressive state oversight of local retirement funds.
Republicans want an audit of every local pension and retiree healthcare fund. If one is found to be underfunded, there would have to be a plan to fix it, or the local government comes under the purview of a state board with sweeping powers.
House Speaker Tom Leonard says the goal is make sure local governments aren’t making promises to their employees they won’t be able to keep.
“This is about protecting the benefits that our hard-working first responders have worked so many years for.”
Local governments and public employee unions are concerned about giving the state board too much power to roll back benefits or force the sale of community assets.
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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
