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GOP won't vote to close pensions to new teachers

Republicans who control the Michigan Senate won't vote this year on legislation that would have closed the pension system to newly hired teachers.

The bill narrowly cleared a GOP-led committee last week but hit opposition in the full chamber.

The legislation, which would have provided new school employees with solely a 401(k) in retirement, could be revived when a new Legislature starts a two-year term in January.

Amber McCann, spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, said Tuesday that Republican senators want more time to study the issue, particularly to better understand the cost implications.

Republican Gov. Rick Snyder opposed the bill.

Earlier Tuesday, House Republicans abandoned bills that would have made municipal retirees pay more for their health care and eliminated medical insurance in retirement for new hires.