MRTA
Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel

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Legislative Committee
 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MRTA needs you to stay involved.  There is strength in numbers!

 

 

Find your Elected Officials!

Contact your State Representative

Contact your State Senator

MRTA Regional and Standing Legislative Committees

Why School Funding is Important to ALL public School Retirees

The PLAAS Letter- An attack on your Retirement System in Missouri.

WEP/GPO Report (click here for a sample letter and information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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