Senate Bill 1227 (SB 1227) Is A Fix Worth Implementing

The reforms proposed by SB 1227 are sensible and fair. The changes envisioned by SB 1227 address fundamental structural problems which, if left unchanged, threaten the viability of the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS). The Senate Fiscal Agency shows that SB 1227 will save over $3.5 billion over the first 10 years. Longer term savings will continue to grow and will help to erode the $35 billion to $60 billion of unfunded liabilities currently embedded in the system. The MEA is fighting this reform with the statement SB 1277 will not solve Michigan's budget crisis. The MEA misses the point; SB 1277 is just one of MANY changes that MUST be made to ensure we address current and future budgetary problems. Encourage our state representatives to support SB 1277, it will be good for MPSERS, and good for our state. Without sensible reforms like SB 1227, MPSERS will drag Michigan’s economy down a fiscal black hole taking tax payers, school districts, and teachers along for the ride.