2015 Senate Bill 279

Ban public school/union pension spiking scheme

Introduced in the Senate

April 16, 2015

Introduced by Sen. Marty Knollenberg (R-13)

To prohibit public school districts from adopting arrangements in which a school employee goes to work full time for a teachers union but remains a school employee for purposes of collecting a government pension. Recent <a href="http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/21047">news reports</a> have exposed how the recent presidents of the state’s largest teacher union were paid by the union but remained school employees "on leave" for many years, thereby "spiking" their government pension payouts to six-figure amounts.

Referred to the Committee on Appropriations

June 17, 2015

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Nov. 10, 2015

Amendment offered by Sen. David Knezek (D-5)

To require the legislature to appropriate extra money to the (underfunded) school employee pension system to cover the pension fund contributions that would not be made if these union officials were no longer considered school employees. Defenders of this practice contend that the pension fund would suffer, but independent pension experts believe this would be overcome by relieving the state of paying pension expenses that are not covered by district contributions.

The amendment failed 12 to 24 (details)

Passed in the Senate 25 to 12 (details)

Received in the House

Nov. 10, 2015

Referred to the Committee on Appropriations

Jan. 20, 2016

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Trade.

Referred to the Committee on Commerce and Trade

Dec. 8, 2016

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.