Watch Out!

Many legislators and politicians are working very hard to take money away from you to fund the budget crisis in Michigan. It is important to stay connected with your legislators and keep your best interest in their ear.

Here are some of the possible proposals that could become bills in the next few weeks:

• Eliminate dental and vision coverage for all future retirees after this school year (2010).

• Increase the retirement multiplier from 1.5% to 1.6% for anyone that retires between July 1 and Sept. 1, 2010 (this is good for anyone who will retire this year).

• Employ a cost-effective, self funded retirement plan for new employees hired after Oct. 1, 2010 (move away from a pension plan).

• Outsource all support services (Transportation, food service, custodians, etc). This eliminated the retirement $ for those employees plus stops local control of services.

• Enforce a 5% pay-cut for all public employees (Depending on your salary/wages, it could range from $2,000 - $4,000 per year).

• Public employees to pay 20% of their current insurance premium (could be approx. $3,000-$4,000 per year).

• Increase your retirement contribution by 3.0% (most already pay over 3%) could range from $1,000 - $2,000 per year).

IF ALL THE FINAL 3 PROPOSALS ARE IMPLEMENTED IN THE NEXT WEEKS, YOU COULD LOSE BETWEEN $6,000 - $10,000 PER YEAR- POSSIBLY BEGINNING NEXT YEAR!

Please use the link below to contact your legislators concerning some or all of these items. Legislators are in the process of writing bills that could enforce these proposals. We can make a difference by letting them know that we are not in support of making the public employees shoulder most of the burden for the problems with the Michigan budget. There are many other methods in which they can create revenue to fix the school and public funding.

http://capwiz.com/nea/mi/state/main/?state=MI

You can also call Jennifer Granholm (she is in favor and supporting some of these proposals) and other state officers:

Jennifer Granholm: 517-373-3400

Again, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!