JOINT STATEMENT OF GOVERNOR DEVAL PATRICK, SENATE PRESIDENT THERESE MURRAY, AND SPEAKER ROBERT DeLEO

BOSTON - Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - Governor Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo today announced that the Commonwealth will not adopt an "early retirement incentive" program, as it has during past fiscal emergencies.

The leaders do not support an early retirement incentive program, for either state or municipal workers, because, based on experience with previous efforts, such programs have not saved substantial operating funds and have proven too costly to the state retirement system.

Meanwhile, the Governor, the Senate President and the Speaker announced their support for maintaining retiree health care contributions at 15 percent until January 31, 2010. For anyone whose retirement is effective on or after February 1, 2010, the retiree's health care contribution will rise to 20 percent.

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