Time ran out before the legislature could pass an early retirement incentive for state employees. With only 66 minutes before mandatory midnight adjournment on May 18, AFSCME forged a three-way agreement with the Governor’s office, the House and Senate. Because of a lengthy debate on the Senate floor, the bill was not put to a vote. If a special session is called, AFSCME will try again, knowing that all parties support this effort to mitigate layoffs.

Many state employees are thinking they’d love to retire, if only they had health insurance. Well, Senate File 1679 would offer state employees three years of health insurance if they retire before July 15, 2011. To be eligible, employees need 15 years of service to the State of Minnesota, MnSCU or the U of M. The state would pay the employer’s share of the health and dental premium for the employee and the employee’s dependents, if the employee had dependent coverage immediately before retirement. It’s a good deal that could also mitigate layoffs.

Credit is due to the authors: Senators Tom Bakk and Jim Vickerman, and Representatives Lyn Carlson and Tom Rukavina.