Welfare, Medicaid and Social Services

Re: 2007 Senate Bill 689 (State employment early retirement )

AdolfoM — Mon, 04 May 2009 06:57:25 GMT

Although the government is doing the best they could to improve the retirement bill, a recent Gallup poll revealed that most people aren't confident about retirement and a lot of retirees aren't either. There's no cash advance loan big enough to fix Social Security at present, and you can't depend on a quick payday loan to securely be able to enter into retirement. Retirement is something we all should have on our minds. It may be an early retirement or you reached the maximum age for working people. However, the old model of retirement is on the way out, as hardly any companies offer pensions and those not about to retire in the next ten years won't be able to depend on Social Security realistically.

EARLY-OUT NOW

Anonymous Citizen — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:20:38 GMT

There was news this week of the Legislature discussing early-out legislation. "Rep. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) said in the Maxey case, workers are dealing with violent offenders and he understood the need for a carve-out. But he urged the committee to not continue that pattern and instead approve a bill that provides an early out option for all state employees. He said that would allow older employees who want to leave the ability to do so while at the same time hiring younger employees and keeping that talent in Michigan. The idea of an early out for all state employees has been kicked around for some time, particularly with the state in a budget crunch. But no legislation has made it to Governor Jennifer Granholm's desk. The governor does not support an early out program for all state employees because of the lingering brain drain effects the last early out program had." Question: Who keeps saying the Governor does not support an early out program because of a brain drain perception? 1) it's been over 6 years since the last early-out. Certainly, one would hope, that any necessary positions would have been filled by now. 2) This is a natural order of workforce development. People retire and then you replace them, if necessary. 3) Has the Governor considered the "brain drain" that happens to an employee after over 30 years of service? Morale, ambition, enthusiasm, career motivated - these are all typical declining factors that should be considered. 4) Only a fraction of the state workforce would be able to retire. The remaining "brains" should be able to educate the new highly educated, highly qualified and extremely motivated replacement employees. 5) These senior employees will have to be replaced sooner or later, so why would we wait? There is a large and growing state population searching for long-term career employment. Take advantage of the large hiring pool and give some of them a job. Consider the following questions with replacing a senior state employee with a new state employee. 1) Would this be considerably cheaper? (Might not need to fill the vacating possibly obsolete position (reorganization?), lowered salary, lower pension costs, possibly lowered health care). We need to save anyway possible. If not for the current budget, then certainly for the rainy day fund. 2) Would the new employee have newer 21st century education training and skills? 3) Would the new employee be more career-driven? 4) Would the new employee have more ambition, enthusiasm, morale? Please pass these ideas to the Governor, if possible. I was hoping for more action from this office, since most early-outs have resulted from an executive order from the Governor. At least, if the Governor is for early-out, then send a message to the Legislature to get it done.

Contact Governor or your legislator

Anonymous Citizen — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:15:32 GMT

Recently received from the Governors Office: "Thank you for contacting Governor Granholm to share your suggestion to institute an early out retirement incentive to state employees as a way of reducing state funding and stimulating job growth. The Governor is always pleased to hear from fellow state employees on how we might make public service with the State of Michigan a great place to work. I will be sure to share your thoughts with the Governor so she may keep them in mind as she continues to address state employee issues or should legislation on this issue be presented to her for signature. Again, thank you for contacting our office on this important issue." Issue Specialist Constituent Services Division Office of Jennifer M. Granholm

From your lips to God's ear

Anonymous Citizen — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:38:50 GMT

I sure hope you're right Dr. D. I wish they'd post an analysis. I'm a little afraid that some other govt-ish groups are 'state employees' for the purposes of retirement even though they don't technically work for the state. Someone suggested to me that this might be a bill written for a specific set of people, though I'm darned if I know who. But there's time for them to fix it and save some money if they don't let this one die, too.

NEW EARLY-OUT BILL

DOCTOR DETROIT — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:01:55 GMT

There's a new early-out bill a brewin. Check out HB 6379 on the Michigan Legislature site. It's a little wierd as the dates initally say 2008, but then the detail refers to 2009. Also it says all requirements must be met, but "B" requires you to be a city or county employee and "C" requires you to be a state employee. I guess only those with a split personality need apply. Anyways, it looks like a bill thrown together in a hurry as there are no co-sponsers in addition to the above gaffs. It looks like if the little problems above are fixed, HB 6379 intends this year to early retire state employees and certain court employees, requires 80 points with no age requirement, lets you sign up from August thru October, and lets you leave November 1st thru the end of the year. Sick leave balances are to be spread over 60 months, but at least you can have your annual leave balance in lump sum upon retirement. JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED!!!!!!

RN

Anonymous Citizen — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:02:03 GMT

This comes as a surprise to me. No one announced this as I would have taken advantage of this retirement as a long time state employee.

YEAH, KEEP PAYING INDEED!!!

Anonymous Citizen — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 09:24:50 GMT

Yeah, you're right. Nobody in power seems to be interested in cutting spending. Maybe we can change this in November. The House doesn't give a hoot about the people of the state or the people's interests. Half the members are Michigan Representatives, most of which are Republicans. The other half are just Representatives who think their oath of office says to support the Governors biases and every screwball idea she comes up with. Will this or any other retirement bill be approved? Well, the Governor says "Not at this time". You see, it would reduce the dues collection on state employees forced upon them years ago by the State. It isn't the number of state employees paying that matters so much. The unions make their money ripping a state employee for a PERCENTAGE of their gross paycheck. The more the taxpayers pay for that employee's efforts, the more the union makes. If the Legislature was to early-out the expensive employees and replace a few of them with those costing half as much, it would reduce thier dues collection. And all this at a time when there is an election to be bought. If the unions are to purchase vicious attack ads, it would be in their interest to do it with recycled taxpayers money. The Governor apparently likes it that way and has told half the House they do too. Obviously, there can be no retirement bill on the Governor's "watch" no matter how far the Michigan economy falls in the crapper, so as you say, enjoy the alternative. Keep paying more taxes and stop complaining or get busy exploring ways to cut. Maybe you could learn how to vote, other than pulling one lever or voting for the best looking candidate. Brains count. We need some in Lansing.

Keep paying

Anonymous Citizen — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:39:26 GMT

Nobody seems to be interested in cutting spending. So, enjoy the alternative. Keep paying more taxes and stop complaining or get busy exploring ways to cut.

Bull Puckey

Anonymous Citizen — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:13:24 GMT

You say "ask what you can do for your country" generation" I Say "Bull Puckey" You say "I worked much harder, and for much less, than I would have in private practice." I Say " Horse &%#$@ You can't really believe all this rot. If you do then how in the world did you "graduate at the top of my class"? You need to seek help for these delusions. Good Luck

Facts??

Anonymous Citizen — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:07:26 GMT

1) Steamline and reform state government. Reduce employees and cut budget (maybe allowing to lower tax hikes?). You can't be serious. When have you seen the budget cut here in the socialist utopia we call michiganistan? They will find more boondoggles for this money and purchase more votes with what's left over. 2) Create thousands of entry-level jobs with the state. Would creating more entry-level jobs be bad for our state? This is exactly the opposite of what we need. if you want to cut the number of employees then that is great. It sounds like you are using this as another make work project for more parasites to feed at the public teat. I can see that the public indoctrination center that you attended did it's job well.

Explore the facts

Anonymous Citizen — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:33:27 GMT

This bill would retire senior state employees saving the state millions of dollars (read the bill analysis). 1) Steamline and reform state government. Reduce employees and cut budget (maybe allowing to lower tax hikes?). 2) Create thousands of entry-level jobs with the state. Would creating more entry-level jobs be bad for our state?

What are you doing??

LakeOrionMom — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:25:24 GMT

You idiots. All of you should go. In the private sector people are losing their jobs and there are NO more jobs to be had. I have many friends (at least 10) and not all at the same company who havve lost their jobs this year alone. And they lose their access to retirement healthcare and everything else -- but you vote for an increase in pension benefits. What do we get??? Higher Tax bills Sucky schools Lousy teachers Higher Tax bills A chance to pay higher utility rates thanks to your stupid maneuver to end state competition ...unless we are lucky enough to move out of this deplorable state. I'm ashamed to be from here! What do you get? Perks, free gas, lots of vacation time....freebies offered under the table from those who lobby you for favored votes... What do we get. NOTHING but less money in our pockets. You disgust me.

LET'S WAIT AND SEE!!!!

DOCTOR DETROIT — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 12:07:26 GMT

Will Generous Motors and Chrysler go bankrupt??? - LET'S WAIT AND SEE, so sayeth our Legislature and Governor. Will the unemloyment fund be empty within about 8 months??? - LET'S WAIT AND SEE, so sayeth our Legislature and Governor. Will State revenues drop off in sympathy with the weak state and national economies??? - LET'S WAIT AND SEE, so sayeth our Legislature and Governor. Will revenues accelerate on the downside as everyone's operating capital is sucked out of the Michigan economy due to last years record breaking tax increase??? - LET'S WAIT AND SEE, so sayeth our Legislature and Governor. Will the ballot initiative gain traction with the Michigan public due to Legislature's inability to effect reduction in size of State government? - LET'S WAIT AND SEE, so sayeth the Legislature and Governor. Will the inability to heat our homes in the coming winter, inability to afford the drive to work, and negative equity in our homes force massive bankruptcies in the Michigan populace? - LET'S WAIT AND SEE, - so sayeth the Legislature and Governor. Will poor example set by State government lack of downsizing confuse the heck out of our cities and counties as to what to do as property taxes received and revenue sharing drop off? LET'S WAIT AND SEE, - so sayeth the Legislature and Governor. Will refusal to reduce State staffing result in general layoff of least senior State employees costing massive unemployment compensation, mass confusion and further costs of bumping, rebumping, and bumping again and again? LET'S WAIT AND SEE, - so sayeth the Legislature and Governor. After above layoffs effected, will most senior, most expensive, and most set in their ways State employees still be on the State payroll? - LET'S WAIT AND SEE, - so sayeth the Legislature and Governor. Six months from now, would have a retirement bill with a small incentive for the most senior State employees to retire leaving the cheapest and most productive employees in place been a good idea? WHO THE HECK CARES, sayeth the half of the Legislature voted out of office for incompetence. GEE I DUNNO, sayeth the "new" Legislature and Governor, as they scratch their various parts and look confused. Without reigning in out of control State spending, who'll be the last one leaving the state to turn out the lights? - WHERE'D EVERYBODY GO?? - sayeth the "new" Legislature and Governor, as they continue to scratch their various parts. THERE WILL BE NO RETIREMENT BILL SUCH AS SB 689 AS IT MAKES SENSE, but as a side note, DON'T YOU JUST LOVE PAYING FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE WHILE OUR STATE GOES DOWN THE TUBES? When it comes to State taxes, you always get MORE WITH LESS money available to pay them. Hey, where's the Michigan Press as all this crap takes place??? S..L...E....E.....P......I.......G........ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

never forget

Anonymous Citizen — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:57:30 GMT

I won't forget that the house refused to pass - or even consider -- this bill, they just rubber stamped Jen's opinion that state govt should remain supersized. Maybe we should vote against ANY house incumbent who's up this fall -- it's the only way to get a message across! I sure wish we had done that in the last election!

Cut spending or raise taxes?

Anonymous Citizen — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:26:51 GMT

How to balance a $400-500 million budget deficit. 1) Raise taxes like last year to cover the difference. 2) Don't cut spending 3) Don't restructure gov't by reducing employees where they aren't needed. 4) Don't replace senior high-salaried employees with cheaper entry-level staff. 5) Don't create thousands of entry-level career jobs for the unemployed. Just do the same as always. Raise taxes and don't try to steamline state government. Too much work,it's alot easier to raise new revenue. GOOD LUCK!