MEA lawyers filed a brief this week with the Michigan Supreme Court in support of the union’s 2010 lawsuit seeking the return of money taken from school employees’ paychecks to fund retiree health care.
The state now has the option to file a reply brief, after which a date for oral arguments will be set. The proceedings could stretch into early 2018, according to MEA General Counsel Mike Shoudy.
Gov. Rick Snyder appealed the case for the third time more than one year ago. Three previous lower court rulings have found in MEA’s favor, ordering the return of more than $550 million held in escrow since the litigation began.
Both the trial court and Court of Appeals agreed the law which unilaterally deducted money from school employees’ paychecks violated state and federal constitutional protections involving the taking of private property without compensation, due process, and impairment of contracts.
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