Contact: Cathy Sherwin (314) 452-2179 

MICHIGAN AFL-CIO STATEMENT ON STATE SUPREME COURT DECISION ALLOWING SNYDER'S ATTACK ON SENIORS' PENSIONS 

Partisan ruling will impose over $343 million in new taxes on pensions: cutting fixed incomes during time of economic emergency

(LANSING, Mich.) "Today's Supreme Court ruling on Governor Snyder's pension tax proposal is a partisan decision that will hurt Michigan seniors, and is yet another example of the misplaced priorities of Lansing politicians. The tax proposal would impose $343 million in new taxes on seniors' pensions, cutting deeply into fixed income budgets and leaving less for Michigan seniors to spend on necessities like groceries and needed medications," said Michigan AFL-CIO President Karla Swift. 

"Raising taxes on pensions while continuing to protect the CEOs and big corporations that have been outsourcing Michigan jobs is going to further our state's jobs crisis. It will increase the hardship on working and middle class families and on local businesses like grocery stores and pharmacies. 

Gov. Snyder and other politicians in Lansing need to stop the power struggles and the misplaced priorities if we're going to get our state back on track for the 99% of Michiganders. Tax hikes on those that can least afford it is wrong for Michigan. Workers should be able to look forward to a secure retirement, but this ruling puts partisan politics ahead of commonsense values." 

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