House Bill 1 - Special Session - July-August 2010 Missouri Legislative Update

Missouri senators add their own touches to state employee pension reform before a final version of the bill is sent to the governor for his signature
House Bill 1 began its journey in the Missouri Senate's Veterans' Affairs, Pensions and Urban Affairs Committee with an explanation by its House sponsor, Representative Jim Viebrock of Republic. The bill was then heard by the Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight panel.
Once House Bill 1 reached the upper chamber for debate, the measure found its fair share of supporters and opponents.
But Sen. Tim Green of St. Louis questioned the need for this particular version of pension reform, saying the current system works just fine.
Other senators wanted to know about certain elements of the bill, including Sen. Rita Heard Days of St. Louis.
According to Sen. Crowell, who handled the bill in the Senate, determining the number of years an employee has to work before he or she is eligible for retirement benefits is based on several factors.
Senator Robin Wright-Jones of St. Louis says she wants to make sure that Missouri teachers are not included in the bill.
Senator Crowell also addressed concerns about any connections between House Bill 1 and House Bill 2, the Manufacturing Jobs Act.
The effect on teachers was not the only concern to lawmakers. Senator Matt Bartle of Lee's Summit asked about judges' retirement in the bill.
Day two of debate in the Senate prompted lawmakers to question overall reform provisions in the bill.
Before the final vote was taken in the Missouri Senate, Senate Majority Floor Leader Kevin Engler of Farmington told colleagues other states are already doing what Missouri is proposing.
House Bill 1 passed on a 25-5 vote and was signed by Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields of St. Joseph before the First Extraordinary Session of the 95th General Assembly came to a close.
The pension reform measure has been signed by the governor and will take effect on October 12th, 90 days after the conclusion of the special session.
Reporting for the Missouri Senate, I'm Dean Morgan.

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