State employee unions sue over pension plan law
Several state employee unions are suing the state over a requirement that they either contribute 4 percent of their pay to help cover expenses for the pension plans, or opt out of the plan. They say the requirement is unconstitutional.
From the Detroit Free Press:
The suit argues that the law is unconstitutional because the Legislature acted without going through the Civil Service Commission, which is responsible for state employee compensation. "The Legislature should not be allowed to interfere with a process that works," said Cindy Estrada, an international vice president of the UAW and spokeswoman for the coalition.
The state argues the new law is on firm legal ground.
Romney Super-PAC makes TV buy in Michigan
A Romney Super-PAC is hoping TV ads will help their candidate as polls show Mitt Romney trailing Rick Santorum in Michigan.
Jeremy Peters writes in the New York Times "Caucus" Blog that Mitt Romney is receiving some "air support" from the Restore Our Future Super PAC ahead of the Michigan primary.
According to someone who tracks Republican media spending, Restore Our Future has committed just over $470,000 for commercials starting Tuesday and set to run through Feb. 20. That marks the group’s largest purchase yet in Michigan, where it will have spent more than $700,000 on ads by next week.
Michigan's primary will be held on February 28.
Flint's emergency manager talking with city unions
Flint's emergency manager Michael Brown is hoping to solve the city's $11 million budget deficit this year. Brown briefed Flint City Council members on where things stand last night.
Michigan Radio's Steve Carmody reported "Brown says he’s ‘meeting and conferring’ with a half dozen city unions, including fire and police unions, on the problems. Though he’s quick to clarify he’s not negotiating."
