Suit Filed Over Teacher Salary Deduction (MI)

September 16, 2010

A lawsuit has been filed over the 3% deduction from teacher salaries that was part of the state’s summer’s incentive to encourage those with 30 or more years of experience to retire, leaving room to hire cheaper teachers.

Although the 3% is being deducted from paychecks, the money is being held in escrow until a lawsuit challenging the law’s legality is settled, Michigan Education Association spokesman Doug Pratt said. The money was to help pay for retiree health care.

The lawsuit claims the pension system rules can’t be changed for those in the system. "Courts have ruled the pension system is an inherent contract someone enters into when they are employed by a school district," Pratt said.

Adoptions boost nets U.S. funds

Michigan’s efforts to boost adoption numbers last year meant more permanent homes for children whose parents lost custody of them. It also had another benefit: $3.5 million in federal funds, Michigan Department of Human Services officials learned Wednesday.

Last year, 3,030 children — mostly those whose parents lost legal custody because of neglect or abuse — were adopted through the department, an 11% increase over 2008.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded $39 million to Puerto Rico and 38 states that increased adoptions. States get incentive money if they increase adoptions, especially if they involve older or special-needs children.

The Michigan department has not decided how it will spend the money this year, but it also will be earmarked for the adoption process, said Kate Hanley, director of permanency within the department’s Bureau of Child Welfare.

Judge refuses new trials for biker convicts

U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds refused Tuesday to grant new trials or acquittals to six members of the Highwaymen Motorcycle Club who had claimed prosecutorial misconduct and sought new trials.

The six, who were convicted in June of racketeering, conspiracy and various other charges, also argued that there wasn’t enough proof to establish a racketeering organization.