In a formal vote on Friday, May 2nd the House voted 144 to 10 to reject a proposal in the House budget that would have raised state employee health insurance contribution rates by 55 to 10%. The result of out-of-pocket increases to these employees would have from 335 to 675%.

The proposal was defeated through an amendment originally sponsored by Representative Marty Walsh, which ended up co-sponsored by 106 out of 160 members of the House. SUMMUP delegates Thank Rep. Walsh for his initial involvement and the rest of the Representatives who supported this amendment.

SUMMUP and AFSCME members did a great job of contacting their representatives to gain support for the amendment. The budget process now moves to the Senate where another great job will need to be done to fight any effort  there to increase the health insurance costs to state employees.Stay Tuned !!!!!