2008 House Bill 6379 (State employment early retirement )

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Introduced by Rep. Fred Miller on August 13, 2008, to authorize a retirement incentive for certain state and judicial employees whose age and years of employment add up to at least 80 and who retire before Dec. 31, 2008. The bill would increase the multiplier used to calculate the retirement benefits of these employees from 1.5 percent to 1.75 percent, which would increase the cash portion of their pension benefits by 16.7 percent.
- Referred to the House Labor Committee on August 13, 2008.

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Comments

Introduced by Rep. Fred Miller on August 13, 2008. New Comment

1) SAVE MONEY! [by Anonymous Citizen on September 11, 2008]
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.

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2) MDOT Employee [by Anonymous Citizen on September 16, 2008]
Governor,

Please consider passing an early out retirement bill. Employees that retired during the last early out if necessary have been replaced and replacement employees have lower salaries and are more motivated that employees with 30 or more years just waiting to retire.
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3) not for me [by Anonymous Citizen on September 10, 2008]
I read on Gongwer that this is just aimed at third circuit court employees, not at state employees in general,
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4) OMG [by Anonymous Citizen on September 10, 2008]
Joe Biden has asked jenny to stand in and prepare him for his upcoming debate with Sarah Palin. Good God, is he nuts?? jenny compared to Sarah?? Thats funny. jenny should only be compared to some loser on the street. What a joke.
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5) I Love It [by Anonymous Citizen on September 10, 2008]
Let the mouth learn from the wart. At this rate we won't have to worry about the socialist muslim getting elected, even the lefties aren't that stupid.
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6) really? [by Anonymous Citizen on August 29, 2008]
Did the citizens' initiative get on the ballot? I thought it was kicked off by the courts. If the reform proposal is on the ballot you might be right, if not, early retirement for state employees is still a good idea because it would save money and provide some new jobs.
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7) really? [by Anonymous Citizen on August 29, 2008]
Did the citizens' initiative get on the ballot? I thought it was kicked off by the courts. If the reform proposal is on the ballot you might be right, if not, early retirement for state employees is still a good idea because it would save money and provide some new jobs.
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8) Pension Incentive [by Mike Hignite on August 25, 2008]
Why is this needed? Now that the citizen's inititative is on the ballot to eliminate some of these jobs, is it necessary to increase pension payments to state retirees? Was the pension too small before?
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9) Contact Governor and your legislator [by Anonymous Citizen on August 19, 2008]
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

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10) NEW EARLY RETIREMENT BILL [by DOCTOR DETROIT on August 16, 2008]

Representative Fred Miller(D) has submitted this early-out retirement bill and it has a chance. At least it has been assigned to the Labor Committee for consideration, and he just so happens to be the Chairman.

Hb 6379 is 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 appears to have been 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.

Thanks to you Most Honorable Representative Miller, for attempting to streamline state government and help with the budget problems to be faced due to the plummeting national economy. Good luck with HB 6379. More power to you!!!!!!!!!

JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED!!!!!!

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11) HB 6379 [by Anonymous Citizen on August 27, 2008]
Appears to be just for judges and court personnel.
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