We see no proposals from the state to address underlying cost problems - only proposals to shift costs onto people who actually need medical care. Our veteran employees have a harder and harder time retiring. While the pension plans have performed well - the cost of retiree health insurance is a barrier to retirement. MSRS is proposing, with the strong support of the Union, to start funding retiree health insurance out of the pension fund surpluses. Last year, this proposal was threatened with a veto by the Governor's Office.
Privatization remains a constant threat.
Recognizing that state employees provide quality services, the legislature has agreed to place limits on the ability of State agencies to contract out. Rush City is a public Corrections Facility. Wherever we can, we have worked with state managers to actively involve line workers in improving service delivery to Minnesota citizens and taxpayers. We are proud that Minnesota has one of the lowest ratios of state employees to population of any state in the nation. But the threat remains.