“Michigan’s police officers and fire fighters joined with House Democrats to help defeat legislation that would dismantle the health care benefits of our first responders and other local government employees. Those who risk their health for our public safety are particularly the ones most deserving of our care and attention. That’s why it was so shocking that House Republicans would attempt to fast-track such a reckless plan to rob public employees of their health care, and force even current retirees to pay more for it.
“Today, fire fighters, police officers and their supporters lined the sidewalks of the Capitol, and the message was strong and clear: Leave our health care alone. Rest assured that my colleagues and I will continue to fight plans that would strip municipal workers and first responders of their health care and retirement benefits. We won this fight today, but we will remain vigilant and ready to fight this battle again if these bills come back in the future.”