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N.Y.C. Council speaker calls on Mayor Eric Adams to resign; KY could do more to protect kids from accidental drug ingestion, shootings; OH food banks face fed funding uncertainty, DeWine budget cuts; Protesters say Trump administration actions 'cast aside democracy.'

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On a Middle East visit, Sen. Richard Blumenthal rejects a Gaza takeover. President's Day protests erupt around the country against White House moves, and another aviation accident draws attention to recent FAA cuts.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

MI public safety pension bills in limbo after passing House, Senate

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Wednesday, January 29, 2025   

Democrat-backed bills in Michigan addressing pensions, health-care costs and public assistance remain stalled before heading to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for signing.

The bills -- House Bills 4665, 4666 and 4667 -- were passed by Democrats in their final days of the Michigan House majority, with bipartisan support. But they're now on hold as Republicans conduct what they call a "legal review" before sending them to the governor's desk. The bills include adding corrections officers to the state police pension system.

Richard Cardenas, director of the Michigan State Employees Association's Public Safety Division, said he sees that as a critical step for public safety.

"Obviously we want to have the best candidates coming into this profession," he said, "because it's no secret, sometimes we might be put into situations that we have to make split-second decisions under very stressful conditions."

Other media sources report Republican House Speaker Matt Hall questioned whether a new Legislature can address the actions of the previous one, so he stressed the need for the legal review before making a decision.

Sending bills from a previous session to the governor is rare. The bills in question passed the Michigan House and Senate, after hundreds of public-safety officers and supporters lobbied state lawmakers. Despite the stall, Cardenas said he's pleased with the bills' progress so far.

"To get it through the House and the Senate is obviously a huge accomplishment," he said. "There's been several attempts to get a better retirement package through the process and unfortunately, it's fallen short several times. And this is the farthest that we've ever seen it get."

In Michigan, after passing both chambers, a bill must be sent to the governor, who then has 14 days to sign or veto it. However, there's no set time for when the bill must be presented to the governor.

Disclosure: National Public Pension Coalition contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy & Priorities, Livable Wages/Working Families, Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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