Someone went wobbly on PERS. State Representative Jeff Smith (R- Clark Oil & Gas) actually made a pretty good point about PERS on Facebook:
Unfortunately, he soon removed the post from his Facebook page. It's not hard to understand to understand why he did so since the two legislators who dared speak of PERS, Brad Mayo and Nancy Collins, went down in defeat in 2015. Don't think legislators didn't notice those two losses.
Representative Smith owes us an apology for actually acting like a real Solon for a few minutes. What was he thinking? Shameful.
14 comments:
Obviously a fake post. Maybe someone hacked into his computer. Smith isn't known for that kind of honesty and political courage.
I have noticed that the "time of day (or night)" that these lobby entertained representatives post has a lot to do with what they say and why they attempt to remove previously written posts, usually the next midmorning.
Getting re-elected isn't anything, it's EVERYTHING.
Don't know him, but it makes sense to me to stop this one. Even Social Security takes their's back in raising medicare costs.
This is another example of an epidemic that has hit the capitols of America - "Facebook Posting Remorse"
Can someone who understands PERS and passed freshman English please translate his post?
Thanks in advance.
Actually, what is purported to be HIS Facebook post makes no real sense. The sentence structure is poor at best and makes no recommendation. There is only a partial sentence regarding the compounding, with no recommendation to anything one way or the other.
Secondly, I may be mistaken, but it was my understanding that the 13th check (myth) kicks in as soon as the retiree has been retired one full fiscal year (July of one year through June of the next).
He probably deleted the post, if he made it, because it made no sense.
He hung out with Mayo too much. Will join him at the house.
You people who have nothing invested in PERS need to sit down and shut up. It is not your damn money. Those of us who paid into PERS are reaping the deserved benefits of long years serving the public in our jobs. We paid into our retirement just like people in the private sector did, so what makes you think that you should have any say in what our pension benefits should be?
NOTE TO REP. SMITH and the legislature: LEAVE OUR RETIREMENT ALONE (if you expect to keep your jobs)!!! There are many of us and we vote.
October 2, @ 3:37PM.
"You people who have nothing invested in PERS need to sit down and shut up. It is not your damn money. Those of us who paid into PERS are reaping the deserved benefits of long years serving the public in our jobs. We paid into our retirement just like people in the private sector did, so what makes you think that you should have any say in what our pension benefits should be?"
Well, that's not exactly right. Agencies contribute a percentage, I don't know what that is currently. I do know that those agencies that contribute to PERS for their employees don't do anything to make money, so the money comes from the taxpayer. I think that means it is their money. I could be mistaken.
I don't see the problem with PERS and the 3% COLA allowance. It's hard set @ 3%, but long-term inflation in the US is OVER 3%, so the PERS people are getting shortchanged.
https://inflationdata.com/Inflation/Inflation/DecadeInflation.asp
He probably posted it while he and Terry Burton were slurping cough syrup.
KF, you have such a hard on for state employees. What’s your beef? Think they are overpaid? Not even close. Most of them could make more in the private sector. Think they are useless? Who do you think maintains roads and bridges? Inspects restaurants you eat in? Works at UMMC? Monitors environmental issues to make sure companies aren’t dumping their sewers in your backyard? Responds when your house is on fire? Teaches and prepares nurses in college? The list goes on and on! Think they don’t deserve retirement? They have to work 30 years in these underpaid jobs to draw anything and they contribute a significant amount to their retirement. If you’re issue is that you think the state pays too much in their retirement, then I suggest cut some of the retirement out for new employees, but increase their pay and pay them what they deserve. Obviously, not all are perfect. However, most are hardworking people that our society couldn’t exist without. Please give them a break.
He probably did it when he was defending a wife beater in Lowndes County! Butler Snow's long hand has reached out again! The people in Columbus and Lowndes County need to "retire" Jeff to his country office - but he better look out - he needs to remember that every other person he passes on the sidewalk in Caledonia voted against his candidate for mayor!
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