LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to appeal a court’s ruling that orders the return of $550 million withheld from Michigan teachers’ paychecks for retiree health care.

Snyder spokeswoman Anna Heaton says Tuesday that the “payments are necessary for the long-term financial stability of the retirement system teachers rely on for health care benefits.”

Public school employees had 3 percent of their pay deducted for about two years under a 2010 law. That law was declared unconstitutional and Snyder signed a new one in 2012 that’s been upheld by the Michigan Supreme Court. The state appeals court ruled last month that initial salary deductions were improper.

State Attorney General Bill Schuette said Tuesday he will not provide Snyder counsel for an appeal, but will provide for a special assistant attorney general.