As retirees and lawmakers began leveling criticism at Michigan Governor Rick Snyder's plan to use $350 million of state money to reduce cuts in pension benefits for Detroit workers, Snyder set out yesterday to defend the proposal as a way to help ease the impact of the city's bankruptcy on its retired workers, Reuters reported yesterday. The proposal Snyder sketched out on Wednesday would need approval from the Republican-controlled Michigan legislature, where Snyder anticipates challenges from lawmakers who have opposed a "bailout" of the city. Snyder also said he would not release any state funds unless Detroit's unions, workers and retirees agree to halt litigation seeking to challenge Detroit's bankruptcy. Snyder's effort to win support for his plan may face its toughest test from within the ranks of his own party. Republican lawmakers hold a majority in both houses of Michigan's legislature and their leaders joined Snyder when he unveiled his plan on Wednesday. But some lawmakers do not want to see state cash thrown at Detroit's problems. "I don't want to reward a bad actor. It's a bad precedent for the rest of the state," said State Senator Patrick Colbeck, a Republican from Canton, a town west of Detroit. He added that if Detroit gets state money, other Michigan communities should also get a share for their needs.
