COLDWATER,M MI (WTVB) – There has been a lot of angst among both current and retired teachers in Michigan that their pensions would be affected by the reform package passed by the State Legislature last Thursday.
State Senator Mike Shirkey tried to reassure educators during his Coffee Hour in Coldwater Friday that pensions are safe. He said unless the state goes bankrupt, the pensions would not be in jeopardy.
The controversial reform of the teacher’s pension system was the main item of debate during work on the budget.
Backers say the reforms will help the state handle $29 billion in unfunded liabilities. But Democrats like Kalamazoo’s Jon Hoadley say the reform is worse than the current plan.
Some Republicans in Lansing were not happy with the proposals. Six of them voted no in the Senate where it only cleared 21-17. Seven dissented in the House where the package was passed 55-52.
