By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-896208.mp3
LANSING, MI –
The state Senate has approved an incentive plan to encourage state workers and teachers to retire. But some Democrats say the Senate version is not as attractive as the incentive plan originally proposed by Governor Granholm.
AUDIO:
Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop says the plan would save the state money by encouraging thousands of people to retire. Governor Granholm had proposed a similar plan. And he says Granholm's administration promised to help lure votes from Democrats.
"I don't think we got any help today, we did what we had to to get it out of the Senate," he says. "I can't rely on the governor. My responsibility is to rely on our majority here, and we delivered today."
But many Democrats say the proposal approved by the Senate was not as attractive to public employees as the governor's version. Some members of the House questioned whether the Senate version would save the state money at all. It is unclear whether the House will vote on either the Senate or the Governor's proposals.