The Michigan Legislature has signed off on a plan to eliminate retiree health care coverage for its members.
But (big surprise), the plan approved Thursday by the House – and Wednesday by the Senate --- keeps health benefits intact for lawmakers who will have served six years in the Legislature before Jan. 1, 2013.
That means most current senators will keep the benefits, while most representatives, who have served fewer years, won’t keep the benefits.
The state savings will be a few million dollars a year, but the issue was never about money. It was about state lawmakers setting an example for other state workers as lawmakers ask them to make big sacrifices in pay and benefits to balance the budget.
After years of squabbling over legislative benefits, lawmakers have finally set that example (even if that example is diluted by senior lawmakers protecting their own benefits.)
