In an effort to ease Michigan’s budget woes and create a smaller state government, the Michigan Senate passed a bill Thursday offering early retirement options to state employees.
The bill, which passed 21-16, would only qualify for employees with a combined age and years of employment that equal or exceed 75. The option would affect about 12,000 of the 52,000 state employees.
An additional 3,000 employees could purchase credits to become eligible for the retirement.
“While the Senate remains focused on reforms and efficiencies, the House continues an unaffordable and irresponsible spending spree that we cannot pay for,” said Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, in a press release. “The governor proposed a budget that was simply too large in scope, and the House (of Representatives) bills passed in recent days take spending even beyond the administration’s recommendations.”
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
