A lengthy debate took place Wednesday between Republican and Democratic senators over a bill that would provide funding for retired state and education workers.
HB201The plan, sponsored by Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, would create a process to create annual procedures for future benefit increases for state and education retirees. Education retirees have not had a cost of living adjustment (COLA) in their benefits since 2007.
The bill was adopted by the Senate, which passed the previous vote by a vote of 33-1. substitute Authorizes direct appropriations from Congress to the fund to provide retiree benefits. However, the House voted 102-0 to reject the changes and vote to send the bill to a conference committee.
“Years ago, we passed a COLA structure for education employees, and the amount had to be $100 million,” Close said. “Of course, we never put money into it. We were hoping that the gaming bill would allow us to do things like education and for state employees and bring in some revenue.” So obviously you're not going to get any income, but you still have that mechanism in place.”
Senate Budget Chairman Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) and Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) voiced their concerns about the bill on the Senate floor.
Albritton discussed the bill at length with Sen. Clyde Chambliss (R-Platteville), who carried the bill in the Senate.
“The difference here between a COLA and a trust fund is that a trust fund can have assets grow and a COLA can have expenses grow,” Albritton said.
Albritton said cost-of-living adjustments may be more expensive than expected.
Chambliss had offered to replace him, which Orr and Albritton had been talking about. Chambliss said his substitute players used both mechanisms.
“What happened in committee was that there was an alternative to basically take over this entire bill, scrap the mechanism, throw it in the trash and put in a bonus mechanism,” he said.
Mr. Orr later told Mr. Chambliss, “Maybe you're looking for a bill hijacker.''
The past few days, Mr. Orr criticized the House for removing the $5 million. Targets trust funds for state retirees.
Chambliss handed over the microphone to Sen. Roger Smitherman (D-Birmingham), who sponsored the bill, shortly after Orr began speaking.
Smitherman held a lengthy filibuster and said he supports retirees.
“There will be two whips connected together,” he said. We're going to keep this in line and flog it. ”
Smitherman and Chambliss serve as whips for their respective parties.
Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, also joined Smitherman in the discussion. He said funding would be possible and non-controversial if Gamble, which is a major issue in Congress and is supported by all Senate Democrats, passes.
“The revenue potential we could have had, we could have changed some other things that we wouldn't even be talking about right now.” she said.
Chambliss moved to take over the bill at the Speaker's call, but the bill was later brought back with Chambliss' representatives. It was adopted by a vote of 33 to 1. Mr. Albritton was the only non-voter.
“I think that's fine, but at the same time they want to continue to go to conferences and talk about this,” Close said.
