Friday, April 26, 2024

PERS "Reform" Bill Passes Senate

Update (4/27/24): The bill passed the House with only one vote case in opposition.  

PERS "reform" is alive and well in the Mississippi Legislature.  The Senate passed SB #3231 this afternoon.  Highlights of the bill are: 

* Rescinds the 2% increase in the employer contribution rate scheduled to take place on July 1.  

* "on July 1 of each year from 2024 through 2028, the employer's contribution rate shall be increased by one-half percent (1/2%)."  That language translates to a 2.5% increase from the current 17.4% employer contribution rate.  
* Only the legislature can alter the employer contribution rate.  

*  The PERS Board must obtain two separate actuarial assessments before it can recommend an increase in the employer contribution rate to the legislature.  The reports must be submitted to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Chairmen of the House and Senate Appropriations committees. 
* The bill will not affect the benefits of current retirees. 


The bill was assigned to the State Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives where it awaits further action.  

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Can kicked——

Anonymous said...

Reform my ass. They caved to the mayors.

Anonymous said...

I’m no economist, but if Republicans want to get more Democratic votes then maybe they should explain how Biden wanting to raise the capital gains tax to 44 percent on some people will likely hurt the stock market and therefore likely hurt their pensions.

I mean, I can’t see the future.

Anonymous said...

0% chance it will pass the House

Anonymous said...

Mend it or end it. Where are the adults in the room?

MS Legislature is filled with pathetic, simpering children.

Anonymous said...

Attn 12:00 AM Do you have any idea of the intelligent levels of the members of both state houses?.

Anonymous said...

6:28
So just don’t do anything? Ok …..

Anonymous said...

End or amend the 13th check as it is unreasonable to be put on the back of taxpayers! No other companies write check like that!

Anonymous said...

Ducklings following a goose. The whole bunch has laid an egg.

Anonymous said...

It's so like Kingfish to call this 'reform'.

He and the usual 'haircut' guy are so very disappointed.

Anonymous said...

@1:24, where have you worked that you're not familiar with annual raises. They're common in the private sector, but not in the public sector.

As a PERS retiree, I can remember, before retirement, going 8 years at a time with no salary increase and then it was often fifty bucks a month increase, which after taxes, was a dollar a day.

Anonymous said...

At some point, the Plan will run out of money and the state will default on its pension debt to current and past employees. The blame will lie with this legislature for not finding its contractual obligations.

Anonymous said...

Mississippi Government: of the parasites, by the parasites, and for the parasites.

Anonymous said...

"Parasites"?

Remember your characterization the next time you call an ambulance, need a policeman at the site of your wreck, head over to UMMC for trauma care, meet with your child's teacher to discuss F grades or wait for test results in order to stop boiling your water.

Anonymous said...

Yes, it’s fundamentally unfair that the political class has facilitated a financially unsustainable pension scheme for themselves and other government workers that is far more generous than what the vast majority of private sector workers receive. This scheme is backed by the full faith and credit of the state government. This means that taxpayers that must save for their own retirement are on the hook for the retirement of a privileged class of workers. It is by its nature parasitic.

Anonymous said...

And as we found out during Covid and the subsequent raging inflation. The occupations you reference aren’t anymore critical than everyone else. The assertion that public employees should hold some special status in our society is extremely condescending. Everyone that works is important, and we should avoid pretending that public employees are more deserving of a decent standard of living and special protections from inflation than others.

Anonymous said...

1:30 You and each employee had an opportunity to seek other employment opportunites so why should tax payers pick up your tabs? Since you did not work in private sector, how do you know what our raises were?

Typo Police said...

The bill passed the House with only one vote CASE in opposition.

"Case" should be "cast."

Anonymous said...

PERS should be frozen. 13th check eliminated. Current participants should be rolled into a defined contribution plan. State workforce needs a 10% headcount reduction.

Anonymous said...

1:18 asked, "Since you did not work in private sector, how do you know what our raises were?"

After state retirement I worked in the private sector for another 22 years. Part of my duties involved local, area, state and regional wage and salary benefit surveys on an annual basis. I was also involved in developing compensation tables for the three corporations which employed me.

Anonymous said...

"PERS should be frozen. 13th check eliminated. Current participants should be rolled into a defined contribution plan. State workforce needs a 10% headcount reduction."

Thanks for dropping by Delbert. But I thought you knew more about contract law.


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.