LANSING — This week, Republican legislators are considering efforts to strip away critically important benefits for retired police and firefighters, such as health care. In response, state Rep. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) issued the following statement: 

“After more than a decade of underfunded revenue sharing, it’s no wonder Michigan’s local governments are struggling. But to propose that these municipalities should make up for that shortfall by taking away the health care benefits that our police and firefighters have earned is simply unconscionable. Our first responders deserve a secure and dignified retirement, and the way to make our local governments whole is to fully fund revenue sharing, not attacking benefits for municipal employees like our police officers and firefighters.”