As expected, House leaders came up with a compromise today that will allow state employees to avoid having to pick up the cost of health insurance premiums for one of the plans (the 70/30 plan). The House voted 116-1 to approve the compromise bill.
Rep. Tim Moore, a Cleveland County Republican, said Gov. Bev Perdue is willing to sign off on the bill now. She had vetoed a version last week that required employees to pay premiums for the first time in order to help close a budget shortfall.
House Minority Leader Joe Hackney of Chapel Hill urged passage of the bill, and said that he and the governor hope for continued negotiations in order to give retirees a better deal on co-payments.
UPDATE: The Senate rejected the changes late this afternoon. A conference committee will meet to come up with a version that can pass both chambers.
Comments
Grand Oil Party
April 20, 2011 - 6:55pm — hoosierhysteriaAll conservatives need to go. They are too wingnut. Only moderates need apply for the job of governing.
No disrespect meant...the
April 20, 2011 - 4:53pm — JudgenotNo disrespect meant...the money that taxpayers pay does, indeed, pay the salaries of state employees. It also pays for services that the taxpayers use-- and to that extent, it's the cost of the services used. In turn, state employees use their salaries to buy the goods and employ the services of their neighbors in the private sector-- so state employees pay those private sector salaries. I suspect that if they were polled, state employees would agree to contribute toward their individual health insurance premiums; it's not in their interest to lose the insurance or have their benefits limited. Additionally, state employees pay significant costs per month to cover their dependents. There is no such thing as a free lunch
health plan
April 20, 2011 - 4:14pm — woggie1It never ceases to amaze me that some people must think state workers get a free ride on health insurance . Although I wouldn't mind paying part of my premium , cutting everyone back to 70 / 30 will be more costly any way . And copays and deductables are going up also . We help pay our own salaries and are taxed just like every other working stiff in North Carolina .
Time to primary the rino's
April 20, 2011 - 3:46pm — BigSharkThe rino's have to go. If you are a lib, then run as a lib.
Ya! How dare government
April 20, 2011 - 3:29pm — PhantomLordYa! How dare government workers, whose entire compensation package is paid for by taxing their neighbors have to kick in a few bucks toward their health insurance.