Click the following link for a printable version Issues of Importance – End of Session Report – May 12, 2017

ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE 2017 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

KILLED – PRIORITY – MRTA opposes SB 228 (Koenig R-15). Establishes a hybrid retirement plan and requires all new members of the plan to participate in the Defined Contribution Plan (DC) for MOSERS, state employees and elected officials.  This does not include educators at this time.  It is only one amendment away if this bill is not stopped.  KILLED!

KILLED – PRIORITY – MRTA opposes SS#2/SCS/SB 313 (Koenig R- 15).These are voucher schemes putting scare tax dollars into private institutions. This legislation will take $50 million from public schools. Passed by the Senate – in the House for Debate.

KILLED – PRIORITY – MRTA opposes SB 141 (Emery R-31).  This act provides that statewide elected officials and members of the General Assembly serving for the first time on or after January 1, 2018, shall participate in a 401(k) defined contribution plan instead of the current defined benefit plan.  On Senate calendar for debate.

KILLED – PRIORITY – MRTA opposes HCS/HB 634 (Roeber R-34). This legislation allows charter schools in all first-class counties in the state affecting 70% of Missouri’s population.  Passed by the House on 3/16.  Currently in Senate Committee.

PASSED – PRIORITY – MRTA supports HB 304 (Pike R- 126) and SB 394 (Romine R-3). This legislation is an MRTA priority and allows pension benefits to “POP UP” after a divorce with the ruling on assets by a court. The bill also allows an extension from 90 days to one year for a retiree to add a beneficiary if remarries. Amended to CCS/HCS/SS/SB62 and PASSED, on Governor’s desk for signature!

PASSED – PRIORITY – MRTA supports HB 305 (Pike R-126) and SB 441 (Hegeman R-12). This legislation is an MRTA priority that closes the “Kelly Services” loophole requiring every retiree and school district statewide to follow the 550 hour Work After Retirement (WAR) law. Amended to CCS/HCS/SS/SB62 and PASSED, on Governor’s desk for signature!

PRIORITY – MRTA supports HB 891 (Cookson R-153).  This legislation mandates a 2% COLA for PSRS/PEERS retirees if the CPI is between 0% and 5%.  If the CPI is over 5% the COLA will be 5%. This mirrors the 2011 PSRS/PEERS Stabilization Policy. No action was taken.

 PRIORITY – MRTA supports HB 755 (Cookson R-153). This legislation allows for the salaries of PSRS-PEERS employees to be public record. Currently, PSRS PEERS is the only system in Missouri where they are not public record. No action was taken.

PRIORITY – MRTA opposes HB 619 (Dogan R-98) and SB 409 (Koenig R-15). This legislation changes and lowers the retirement benefits of active Saint Louis City educators at the same time raising their contributions to the system. This would set an extremely bad precedent for all Defined Benefit Plans in Missouri in that the promise when you were hired could be broken. MRTA proposed a solution which was adopted. Passed.

 PASSED – PRIORITY – MRTA supports full funding of the Foundation Formula and opposes the use of public tax dollars for private schools. The Missouri Constitution mandates adequate funding of K-12 education through HB 2 which requires education funding as the second priority of state expenditures.  The Public School Foundation Formula is currently underfunded by at least $50 million dollars.  This is particularly troublesome for rural schools and inner city schools because a high percentage of their funding comes from the state. Full Funding of the current Formula PASSED, on Governor’s desk for signature!