Lawmakers are getting flooded with calls and messages about bill that would change PERS Board

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - All eyes are on the legislature about whether they’ll make any changes to the state’s public employees’ retirement system known as PERS. We told you last week about the bill that would change the Board from mostly elected to mostly appointed. Many of you are reacting.

“I will tell all the people that you’re being heard,” said Sen. Tyler McCaughn.

Sen. Chris Johnson is planning a hearing on House Bill 1590 while also trying to calm fears.

“Nothing that we’re going to do is going to change the benefits for current or future retirees under any current plan,” explained Johnson.

Committee members seem split on their thoughts about moving to a mostly appointed board.

“Unfortunately, the term political appointee has been polarized,” added Johnson. “You could say the same about K-12 education. But it’s good for K-12 education to have appointees, and it can be good for PERS, as well.”

“We don’t need to politicize the board,” said Sen. David Blount.

“I don’t know that political appointments are the best route to go,” noted Sen. Tyler McCaughn.

McCaughn says they won’t be rushing into anything, but he hopes they can make some thoughtful changes.

“We want to be sure that in 10, 20, 30 years down the road, those people that are entitled to their benefits get their benefits, as well,” said McCaughn.

Democrat Sen. David Blount is on the committee and says the current Board is doing a good job and thinks they should let the bill die.

“Most importantly, the board does what the law says they have to do,” said Blount. “The legislature writes the law. So if there’s a problem, that’s for us to address, and I think there’s a lot of people who are wondering what this whole game is about changing the Board.”

The current Board is also joining in the calls for the bill to be stopped, releasing this statement over the weekend. Their concern is not only about changing the makeup of that body. They are also worried about pulling back on the scheduled rate increase for employers.

PERS executive director said in a statement today that appropriate funding in some manner is very important for the long-term needs of the plan.

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