By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
LANSING, MI –
The state House voted Tuesdat to eliminate health benefits for retired state lawmakers. But the bill would only apply to future lawmakers, and not current or former legislators.
Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon says the measure is the first in a long list of cost-saving reforms the House intends to pass over the next few weeks.
"I want to signal like, that we're going to start with reforms in the budget process, and we'll start with our own House - the Legislative House," he says. "We passed this last session twice, and I just want to get it done to signal that we are serious about reforms."
Some lawmakers say the benefits should be eliminated for current lawmakers as well. Dillon says he is confident this version will be approved by the state Senate.