Comments on: New ammo in the public sector pay and benefits debates http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/new-ammo-in-the-public-sector-pay-and-benefits-debates/ Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:31:23 +0000 hourly 1 By: Ron B http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/new-ammo-in-the-public-sector-pay-and-benefits-debates/comment-page-1/#comment-3298 Ron B Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:19:30 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/?p=2048#comment-3298 Michigan needs to cut its spending starting with the school teachers and adminstration. 15% pay reduction and 35% benifts reduction,this might bring the pay package down to some believable range. Michigan needs to cut its spending starting with the school teachers and adminstration. 15% pay reduction and 35% benifts reduction,this might bring the pay package down to some believable range.

]]> By: none http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/new-ammo-in-the-public-sector-pay-and-benefits-debates/comment-page-1/#comment-3289 none Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:45:50 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/?p=2048#comment-3289 One word we must remember: priorities. By cutting the overpay of state employees and re-organizing the pension system into something more affordable and managable, we could easily solve most of the budget crisis. Then, we would have no cuts to critical mission services like law enforcement, education, and aid to the poor. So, what should the priorities be: making well-off public "servants" richer, or taking care of critical needs? One word we must remember: priorities. By cutting the overpay of state employees and re-organizing the pension system into something more affordable and managable, we could easily solve most of the budget crisis.

Then, we would have no cuts to critical mission services like law enforcement, education, and aid to the poor.

So, what should the priorities be: making well-off public “servants” richer, or taking care of critical needs?

]]> By: Chuck Fellows http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/new-ammo-in-the-public-sector-pay-and-benefits-debates/comment-page-1/#comment-3297 Chuck Fellows Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:01:06 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/?p=2048#comment-3297 Comparisons of health care (medical insurance) costs and benefits from state to state or private to public are invalid, and that's just how the private insurance industry wants it. Presently each individual state regulates insurance providers and each state is dominated by one or two very large organizations that are exempt from anti trust regulations. Benchmarking is an activity that provides an observation and is totally dependent upon the observer's perceptions and paradigms. The drivers of cost inequity and cost escalation are not the recipients of the services. A state by state or private/public/non profit perspective/analysis of health care is a questionable activity. The fox is still running the hen house and no on is paying attention. Comparisons of health care (medical insurance) costs and benefits from state to state or private to public are invalid, and that’s just how the private insurance industry wants it.

Presently each individual state regulates insurance providers and each state is dominated by one or two very large organizations that are exempt from anti trust regulations.

Benchmarking is an activity that provides an observation and is totally dependent upon the observer’s perceptions and paradigms.

The drivers of cost inequity and cost escalation are not the recipients of the services.

A state by state or private/public/non profit perspective/analysis of health care is a questionable activity. The fox is still running the hen house and no on is paying attention.

]]> By: CARL E. VER BEEK http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/new-ammo-in-the-public-sector-pay-and-benefits-debates/comment-page-1/#comment-3291 CARL E. VER BEEK Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:08:12 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/?p=2048#comment-3291 The focus on public employees still misses the mark on the continuing cost of FORMER employees. The continuing charge to active departments for retiree health for early retirees is choking effective government. Michigan understands "legacy costs" in the auto industry but ignores it in state budgets. The focus on public employees still misses the mark on the continuing cost of FORMER employees. The continuing charge to active departments for retiree health for early retirees is choking effective government.
Michigan understands “legacy costs” in the auto industry but ignores it in state budgets.

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