Former Michigan U.S. Congressman Says State Must Help Detroit Pensioners

LANSING, Mich. (WWJ) - The likely Democratic gubernatorial nominee says the state must help the Detroit pension fund -- because it's required by the Constitution.

WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick reports that a pending proposal remains a work in progress as Gov. Rick Snyder tries to find a way to funnel about 350 million state government dollars into helping pensioners in Detroit, and to help keep open the DIA.

Mark Schauer, Snyder's likely Democratic opponent in the upcoming election, complains that the problem of having Detroit retiree pensions on the shopping block should never have materialized in the first place.

"He swore on oath to uphold the Constitution," Schauer said, referring to Snyder. "He should have never put public employee pensions on the chopping block in the first place."

So, Skubick asked, if Snyder does this for the city, is he off the hook on that issue?

"Well, I think he would demonstrate that he's upheld the Constitution in that case," Schauer said.