LANSING, MI –
http://wkar.org/newsroom/images/reworkingmichigan-title.jpg
An effort to rescind a three percent raise for roughly 35,000 state workers later this year has failed in the state Senate.
Unionized state workers are scheduled to get the raise October 1 unless two-thirds of the members of both the Republican-led Senate and Democrat-led House vote to eliminate it.
The resolution got the votes Wednesday of 21 of 22 Senate Republicans as well as Democratic Sen. Michael Switalski of Roseville, four short of the 26 needed.
GOP Sen. Bruce Patterson of Wayne County's Canton Township
didn't vote.
Senators may try to pass the measure again later.
Most Senate Republicans say the state can't afford the raises, which would cost the state about $48 million. Michigan is wrestling with a projected $1.7 billion shortfall in the upcoming fiscal year.
reWorking Michigan
For more on job creation and workforce evolution in Michigan, visit WKAR.org/reworkingmichigan