Bernero calls for pay, health care reforms for elected officials

[Faygo Kid]

Source: Lansing State Journal

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero today called for a 5 percent pay cut and major reforms in health insurance coverage for all elected city officials.

City Finance Director Jerry Ambrose said the changes are expected to save the city of Lansing about 20 percent of the cost of providing health insurance benefits to elected officials. If the same health care reforms were implemented for all employees, the city would realize savings of more than $1.5 million annually, Ambrose said.

Bernero noted that even though salaries for all three elected positions have not been increased since 2002, it is important for the city’s leaders to share in the sacrifices being made by many Lansing families.

“We are called upon as elected officials to lead by example,” Bernero said. “In these challenging economic times, we have to step up to the plate and make the same personal sacrifices that many Lansing families are making. It is up to us to show that we are willing to share the burden of reducing city expenditures.”

Read more: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20090218/NEWS01/302180004

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He's admired big-time here today on DU. Lansing (and Michigan) are suffering tough, tough times. The whole article is worth reading. This is a guy who doesn't shirk tough decisions, and I applaud him for this.

[tularetom]

1. He also chewed up and spit out some Faux geek the other day

There should be a future for this guy in national elected office. Or at least giving lessons to Dems in having a spine.

[TheDebbieDee]

3. I saw that clip here on DU earlier this evening...........

Mayor Bernero was AWESOME!

[Faygo Kid]

4. Can't hardly miss it - on the front page, top Greatest Thread

123 recommendations and counting.

[aquart]

2. He's positioning himself very well. How old is he?