LANSING, Mich. (Jan. 13, 2025) — Sen. Sue Shink (D-Northfield Twp.) issued the following statement on Speaker of the House Matt Hall’s (R-Richland Twp.) potential violation of the Michigan Constitution in blocking House Bills 4665, 4666, and 4667 of 2023. These bills, which are nearly identical to a legislative package Sen. Shink helped spearhead in the Senate, would allow new corrections and other state law enforcement officers to become members of the Michigan State Police (MSP) hybrid retirement system and allow current officers to choose to move retirement systems. Both chambers passed this legislation last year. It had bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.
“Our corrections officers told us they needed pensions to increase their ranks. They work long hours under incredibly difficult conditions, ensuring the safety of our communities, yet they are not paid fairly and have fewer benefits than other officers. Fortunately, we have legislation that would meet their needs ready to be sent to the governor’s desk. However, in the first week of their control, House Republicans are playing political games over their constitutional duty and the needs of the state, delaying critical legislation that would directly benefit those who serve on the frontlines of public safety.
“My district includes many corrections officers, and my office has received hundreds of phone calls and emails from them expressing their support for this bill. These officers are counting on us to stand up for them and to start delivering solutions. My legislative colleagues and I did that and worked together across the aisle to meet this crisis head-on. But now, the Republicans and Speaker Hall are holding this support up. Our corrections officers have waited long enough — they deserve solutions, not political games. I have trust in our constitutional process and expect that this bill will be delivered to Gov. Whitmer’s desk.”