By AP
LANSING, MI –
Michigan lawmakers and their staffers would lose the state's matching contributions to 401(k) plans next budget year under legislation approved by the state House.
Bills approved Wednesday also would consolidate legislative services, including the nonpartisan House and Senate fiscal agencies.
The measures passed by the Democrat-led House now go to the Republican-led Senate.
House Democrats say the proposals combined would save nearly $5 million.
Many of the measures passed easily but the plan to consolidate the House and Senate fiscal agencies was approved by a relatively narrow 61-47 vote. Many lawmakers say it's a poor idea that would rob the Legislature of key institutional knowledge.
Michigan has a projected deficit of $1.7 billion for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1.