Rep. Ouimet: Sacrifice Must Be Shared as Michigan Reforms

"Shared sacrifice" has become a common phrase heard at the state Capitol this year, and it's certainly true as lawmakers continue their work to reform state government. To me, shared sacrifice means throwing away the old ways of the past and making sure everyone shares in the massive effort to improve our state. And that includes state lawmakers.

I was proud to vote in favor of legislation last month that ends the lavish perk of lifetime retirement health care for legislators.  Believe it or not, lawmakers qualified for this benefit after serving only six years in office. The policy is a relic of the past and needed to be abolished. No one in the private sector would receive such a perk, and Michigan lawmakers certainly shouldn't receive it either.

House Bill 4087 eliminates retirement health care for legislators who took office on or after Jan. 1, 2007, which includes me.  

State government must get more efficient and start facing reality at every level. From my first day in office back in January, I have worked hard to get Michigan's spending under control and put this state back on solid financial ground.  

The legislation also brings legislator compensation in line with that of private employees. As other public employees such as teachers continue to make sacrifices, it would be outrageous to accept extravagant lifetime perks at taxpayer expense.

HB 4087 is currently in a Senate committee for consideration.

Another example of lawmakers sharing in the sacrifice involves health care benefits that we currently receive. Senate Bill 7 caps the amount that public employers can pay toward the annual health benefits of their employees, including state lawmakers. Public employers have the option of switching to an "80/20" plan with a majority vote of their governing board. Under this scenario, employers could not pay more than 80 percent of total annual health benefit costs.

Municipal governments can opt out of the plan with a two-thirds vote. The plan does not apply to current employees until new collective bargaining agreements are reached or current agreements are renewed or extended. 

SB 7 cuts costs for both state and local government, thereby saving taxpayer dollars.  

Although municipal governments can opt out of this legislation, lawmakers cannot. We are leading by example by cutting our own retiree health insurance, and we are asking state employees including lawmakers to help pay for their current health care.

The House has approved SB 7, and it is currently back in the Senate for review.

The many reforms the Michigan Legislature has already approved would ring hollow if we conveniently left state lawmakers out of the equation. Shared sacrifice is the only way we can truly work together for a better future for Michigan.

Mark Ouimet is the state representative for the 52nd District.  He can be reached toll free at 855-627-5052 (855-MARK052) or markouimet@house.mi.gov.

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