At a committee hearing Thursday, an amended version was revealed that made the pension increase a little smaller, but will still end up costing more than it claims to "save."

From an Mlive.com AP article:

The MEA initially proposed boosting pensions by one-third by raising the multiplier to 2 percent. But that was criticized as being too expensive.

We will ask our original question again...who is in charge in Lansing: elected officials or interest groups?

And why is Sen. Kuipers so hot-to-trot to ram this thing through?  The governor (a huge recipient of MEA political money) is opposed and many school officials are opposed.  Heck, even a local union president drove all the way to Lansing to speak out against the plan.

Steve Goff, [Meridian Education Association president,] who teaches economics, government and history at Meridian High School in Sanford, visited Lansing Thursday to testify against the MEA's initial proposal.

He called it a "massive" benefit for a select group of teachers.

But don't think Mr. Goff is looking out for taxpayers.  He wants pensions boosted for all teachers-not just those with 30 years worked.

We are still befuddled as to why Sen. Kuipers would be fighting so hard to get such a foolish plan passed.  We'll provide our theories at a later date.