Detroit Pension Fight Heads To Court

The Ingham County (Mich.) judge who said Detroit's bankruptcy petition violates the state constitution set a hearing for July 29 to consider the state's attempt to tamper with pension benefits for public employees including police officers.

The Ingham County (Mich.) judge who said Detroit's bankruptcy petition violates the state constitution today set a hearing for July 29 to consider the state's attempt to tamper with pension benefits for public employees including police officers.

Judge Rosemarie Aquilina said Monday she doesn't believe "the constitution should be made of Swiss cheese," reports the Detroit Free Press. Judge Aquilina is considering the state's attempt to move the case to federal court to trump a lawsuit by pension board attorneys to halt cuts to the benefits of retired and active Detroit PD officers, as well as other city employees.

On Thursday, Detroit filed for Chapter 9 protection, a move that drew an immediate lawsuit from the Detroit Police Officers Association to block cuts to officer benefits.

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