A task force appointed by Governor Rick Snyder says state-appointed experts should review the retirement plans of local governments in Michigan. The task force has been looking for ways to help cities, townships, and counties manage their pension and retiree healthcare obligations.
Retired businessman David Breen co-chaired the task force. He says current taxpayers are paying for promises made a long time ago to public employees, and the costs of those promises are growing.
“The governments are unable to pay those obligations and provide the kinds of services that our taxpayers expect," he said.
The task force report recommends creating a new state commission that would look at the long-term costs of local retirement plans. Many of the proposals in the report would have to be adopted by the Legislature.