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LANSING – Lame duck legislation that mostly tightened public employee retirement options or made tweaks to the state’s marijuana’s law were among the 11 bills vetoed by the Gov. Whitmer. 

Several of the bills would have pushed an annuity product to state employees as an alternative to a retiree health care benefit, like HB 4265 , which gives new judges the option to contribute 4% of their salary to a tax-deferred savings account (See “New Judges Lose Retiree Health Care Under Gov-Bound Package, More,” 12/6/22).

“These bills were rushed through a lame duck session and need closer examination,” Whitmer wrote. “I look forward to working with the new Legislature in January on priorities that will continue our economic momentum, help lower costs and expand education supports for Michigan students.

“It is time to be serious about solving problems and getting things done that will make working families lives better right now.”

Rep. Thomas ALBERT (R-Lowell)‘s HB 4188 and Rep. Terry SABO (D-Muskegon)‘s HB 4733 would have required the public school employees retirement system offer an annuity option.

HB 4263 , HB 4264 , HB 4265 and HB 4266 would have changed the amortization schedules for public employees, school employees, judges and state police.

Also vetoed today were:

– HB 5839 would prohibit the marijuana regulatory agency from denying an application for a license to commercially produce or distribute marijuana, if the applicant’s spouse holds a state or federal government position.

– HB 5871 would allow for the transfer of medical marijuana from one facility to another.

– HB 5965 supported by the Michigan Cannabis Industry, would have changed definitions of license types.

– HB 6261 would eliminate a requirement that life insurance companies are allowed to increase rates annually at the inflation rate to cover the full costs of funerals and other death expenses. Conservative vote is yes.

– SB 195 would allow international companies to deduct interest costs in the corporate income tax at a $10 million per year loss in state revenue. Conservative vote is yes.

This article was published by Safer Michigan Coalition.

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