About 24 percent of the U.S. total received means-tested benefits (programs that provide cash or services to people who meet a test of need based on income and assets.) in an average month.  These included Medicaid, free or reduced-price school meals, and food stamps.  However, it was two non-means-tested programs, Social Security and Medicare, that affected the largest number of households, with 33.6 million receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits and 30.8 million receiving benefits from Medicare.

In keeping with the economic downturn, participation rates for each means-tested program were on the upswing between May and November 2008.  And this doesn't even include those on unemployment benefits. 

Of course, the other 55 percent have to be paying for all this!

There are currently 454,000 active and retired teachers in MPSERS, and this bloated retirement system is in serious financial trouble.  The employer contribution necessary to support MPSERS is going up to 19% of total payroll this year, and the House-passed version of the bill will force roughly 4,000 non-participating charter school teachers into the system to help foot the bill.

This language would be a huge detriment to the charter school movement, as the cost of bailing out this pension program could bankrupt charter schools and leave charter students and families without educational choices.