Hundreds of police officers and firefighters converged Wednesday on the state Capitol. As we hear from Michigan Public Radio’s Rick Pluta, they rallied to protect retirement benefits.
The Legislature’s Republican leaders have made a public employee retirement overhaul a priority to be wrapped up this year before the 2018 election season.
A governor’s task force made recommendations on addressing underfunded benefits. But GOP leaders say those don’t go far enough.
Justin Fox is a firefighter in Midland. He says any plans that change retiree health care benefits are unfair.
“I think it’s an overreach, it’s an overstep." Fox says. "They need to give this a chance to work first.”
There is no legislation introduced at this point, but a state House committee has opened hearings on the issue.