2010 Legislative Platform
“MRTA is independent non-partisan and does not endorse
candidates.”
SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE ISSUES OF INTEREST
TO MRTA
1. MRTA will work to protect the Missouri public pension retirement plans as
defined benefit rather than defined contribution plans.
2.
MRTA will work to protect/maintain the tax exemptions for public
education retirees that MRTA was instrumental in obtaining in 2007 (HB444).
3. MRTA will support legislation to repeal/modify the WEP (Windfall
Elimination Provision) and GPO (Governmental Pension Offset) provisions for
Social Security.
4.
MRTA will work to protect/maintain healthcare coverage for public school
retirees that is mandated by Missouri Law requiring the same premium and the
same coverage as the active public school employee.
5.
MRTA will work to protect/maintain the “spiking” regulation MRTA was
instrumental in obtaining which limited the increase of FAS to 10% in 2007.
6.
MRTA will work to protect/maintain the financial integrity of
PSRS/PEERS Retirement System.
7.
MRTA will support legislation to change the gubernatorial selection of
the retiree position on the Public School Retirement System and the Public
Education Employee Retirement System (PSRS/PEERS) Board to an elected position.
STATE LEGISLATIVE ISSUES OF INTEREST
TO MRTA
1.
MRTA will support equal and adequate public school funding through the
foundation formula for all public schools as mandated by the Missouri
Constitution.
2. MRTA will support legislation to increase minimum salaries for teachers
and the funding of those increases.
3. MRTA will support the continuation and funding of the Career Ladder
Program.
4. MRTA will support the full restoration of professional development
funding for educators.
5. MRTA will support a simple majority for passage of school bonds and
an increase in the percentage of bonding capacity for public schools.
6. MRTA will support the current independent governance of the PSRS/PEERS
Board.
7. MRTA will support affordable and accessible healthcare including
prescription drugs and financial security for all Missouri retirees.
8. MRTA will oppose vouchers and the use of tax dollars for nonpublic
schools.
9. MRTA will oppose state mandated consolidation of public schools that meet
state standards.
10. MRTA will oppose any legislation that would reduce school funding such as
Taxpayers Bill Of Rights (TABOR).
11. MRTA will oppose legislation that would remove funds and/or independent
investment decisions from the PSRS/PEERS Board of Director’s control.
FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ISSUES OF INTEREST
TO MRTA
1. MRTA will support legislation to repeal/modify the WEP (Windfall
Elimination Provision) and GPO (Governmental Pension Offset) provisions of
Social Security.
2.
MRTA supports affordable and accessible healthcare including prescription drugs
and financial security for all American retirees.
3. MRTA will oppose mandatory Social Security for new teachers.
4. MRTA will oppose privatization of Social Security.
5. MRTA will oppose vouchers and use of tax dollars for nonpublic schools.
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MRTA 2007 LEGISLATIVE REPORT – VERY GOOD YEAR FOR RETIRED EDUCATORS
THANK YOU MRTA MEMBERS and VOLUNTEERS!!
INCOME TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR EDUCATION RETIREES – SS#2 SCS HCS HB 444
HB 444 was introduced by House Speaker Rod Jetton to exempt Social Security
Retirees from state income tax. MRTA went to work and convinced the Speaker and
the House of Representatives to include Education Retirees. The House
agreed. The bill went to the Senate where they promptly removed us from the
exemption. Your calls and letters convinced the Senate to put us back in the
compromise version. Beginning January 1, 2007, this bill authorizes an
income tax deduction to be phased-in over six years for Social Security
benefits, Social Security disability benefits, and benefits received from a
non-private retirement system for individuals 62 years of age or older. A
single taxpayer with an adjusted gross income of $85,000 or less or a married
taxpayer filing a combined return with an adjusted gross income of $100,000 or
less will qualify for the maximum deduction. If a taxpayer's adjusted
gross income exceeds the income amount, the deduction will be decreased by $1
for every dollar in excess of the maximum. If a taxpayer receives both
Social Security benefits and public retirement benefits, the maximum deduction
for the publicly funded retirement benefits will be decreased by $1 for every
dollar of Social Security benefits received by the taxpayer if the benefits are
not included in his or her Missouri adjusted form gross income. This
Legislation is MRTA`s #1 success for 2007 and will contribute to education
retirees living healthy vital lives and help ensure they are secure
economically, socially and professionally in retirement.
“SPIKING” of FAS now better regulated. CCS HCS SB 406
One of MRTA`s concerns and included in the 2007 MRTA Legislative Platform is to
stop the abusive practice of “SPIKING”. CCS HCS SB 406 includes MRTA language
sponsored by Representative Sara Lampe. The new law puts a limit on annual
increases in final average salary (FAS) used for calculating PSRS retirement
benefits to no more than ten percent, unless a member changes to a longer
contract or reaches a higher level of educational attainment. This will save our
retirement system many dollars and help maintain our systems integrity.
DEFEATED! HB 808 – EDUCATION VOUCHERS/TAX CREDITS
Again, the calls and letters along with personal lobbying by MRTA volunteers
during MRTA Legislative Days held February 22/23 and the MRTA Legislative
Reception held on March 11th were instrumental to the defeat. Visit
www.morta.org to find out how your
Representative voted. HJR 1 was stalled which would have stopped public
education’s access to the court system on constitutional issues such as public
school funding and vouchers. GREAT JOB MRTA!
DISAPPOINTMENT - “BUMP” for COLA CAPPED RETIREES REMOVED
Representative Danielle Moore of Fulton introduced HB 661 for MRTA. HB 661 was
legislation to temporally fix the COLA CAP limit of 80% for those older
education retirees who are at minimum retirement benefit and are COLA capped.
Due to the insistence and hard work of Rep Moore, HB661 language was amended on
to SB 406. The language would have “BUMPED the benefit by $5 per year creditable
service per month for PSRS capped retirees 75 years of age and older, $3 for
PEERS retirees. Cost for five years $19.5 million. The House accepted the
legislation. The Senate removed it in Conference committee because or EXTREME
OPPOSITION from both active teacher associations and the PSRS/PEERS system. We
CAN NOT THANK REP MOORE ENOUGH FOR HER WORK ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR MRTA.
Thank Rep Moore for all her hard work at 573-751-5226 or
danielle.moore@house.mo.gov
Special thanks to Representatives Sara Lampe, Ward Franz, Patricia Yaeger, Rita
Haywood, Jim Viebrock, and Speaker Rod Jetton. We appreciate Chairman
Wallace although he did not support us he did allow free/ open debate and
allowed the legislation to move forward from committee. 25 and out/2.55 after 31
years was renewed in SB 406 for five years. Cost $40 million to PSRS/PEERS
system.
Legislative
Committee