LANSING — This week, Republican legislators are stepping up efforts to strip away critically important benefits for retired police and firefighters, such as health care. In response, state Rep. Robert Wittenberg (D-Huntington Park) issued the following statement:
“Police, firefighters and paramedics have some of the toughest, most physically demanding jobs out there, and after a career of serving the public, many of them have considerable health care concerns. But instead of providing for their health care needs in retirement, Republicans are now talking about ways to take away the health care benefits they have earned. I can’t wrap my head around how a party that talks about respecting our men and women in uniform in one breath could turn around and disrespect them like this in the next. I’m grateful for the work our first responders do to keep us safe, and I’m going to fight to protect the retiree health care and benefits they have rightfully earned.”