Gov. Bobby Jindal wants state employees to contribute more toward their future pension benefits.
But legislation Jindal is proposing exempts the governor and other elected officials who are members of the Louisiana State Employee Retirement System, called LASERS, from the 3 percent increase in the contribution rate sought in the legislation.
The 3 percent translates into a near 40 percent increase for rank-and-file members of LASERS. But not for the governor and other elected officials — their contribution rates would not increase.
“... this Act shall not apply to an elected official during the term of office he is serving on July 1, 2012. The contribution rate for such a member shall remain what it was on July 1, 2012, for the duration of his term of office,” according to Senate Bill 52 and House Bill 56, two pension revamp measures backed by Jindal.The law will not apply to the present administration and legislators, but why should not the pain be shared by all state employees? The exemption is an outrage! Jindal refuses all requests for interviews.
The legislature has the opportunity to tinker with Jindal's proposals, but they have so very often shown themselves to be sheep-like in following the governor's directions.
If you read the entire article, you will note that Jindal is zealous in providing for the portion of his own retirement that will be paid out of state coffers.
Yes, why shouldn't they contribute like the rest? They must think they are in more need of that money than the regular people...Sad.
ReplyDeleteCiss! You just don't understand the pressures of being rich! You're sooooo lucky! You'll never have to make the choice between the summer house in New England and the elite private academy for the kids! Oh, woe! WOE!
ReplyDeleteThe governor and the legislators are gaming the retirement system that they say is already broke. A 6th recall petition has been filed against Jindal. The previous five petitioners failed to gather enough signatures.
ReplyDeleteMimi, there may be a straightforward reason for this. A lot of states have laws or provisions in their state constitutions which prohibit the legislature from changing the salary of any elected official--or at least from changing their own salaries--before the next election. The main reason for those laws is to prevent legislatures from voting themselves pay raises before they face the voters again, or decreasing the pay of judges or officials they may not like. You will notice that the exemption only lasts until the next election--so if Jindal were to be re-elected (is he term limited?) he would pay the higher contribution rate during his next term.
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with Louisiana law, of course, but I wouldn't be surprised if something like this applied. If so, it would mean Jindal's contribution rate could not be raised by law until he was re-elected.
kishnevi, I'm not a lawyer, but I tend to assume the worst about politicians, that they are feathering their own nests. I wrote to my rep, so maybe I'll get an answer. He's not always a sheep in voting the governor's way.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness our governors are limited to two terms. If Jindal had his way, all state institutions would be privatized and run by corporations.