FeedsHouse votes to end lifetime benefits
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Dian SlavensLegislators in the House of Representatives took a step toward government reform this week.
House members voted to end taxpayer-funded lifetime health care for future state legislators-but not themselves or past retirees. State Rep. Dian Slavens (D-Canton) said the plan that cleared the House this week will do away with the overly generous perk starting with legislators elected in November of this year.
“It’s a great first step, but I don’t think it goes far enough,” she said.
Slavens said that she will get rid of the extravagant benefit for herself.
“At a time when so many of our middle-class families are making sacrifices day after day just to get by, our lawmakers must do the same,” said Slavens, a respiratory therapist in Southeast Michigan hospitals for more than 20 years. “It’s absurd that Michigan’s lawmakers receive lifetime health care at age 55, courtesy of our hard-working taxpayers, after only six years on the job. Our lawmakers must share in the sacrifice being asked of residents all across the state. That’s why I support this legislation and am voluntarily giving up this out-of-touch perk for myself.”
The reform plan will end taxpayer-funded lifetime health care for all future lawmakers starting in November 2010. Stronger measures to eliminate the overly generous perk for all state lawmakers – current and future – have consistently been opposed by the State Senate, prompting Slavens to go a step further and voluntarily give up her own lifetime health care.
“As we work to reform our government, create jobs and get Michigan’s fiscal house back in order, it’s critical that our elected officials lead by example,” Slavens said.
