State Senate passes legislation to end special pensions

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Senate on Wednesday unanimously supported eliminating a controversial pension plan that provides lucrative benefits to a select few state employees.

The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, now heads to the House of Representatives for further action after the 32-0 Senate vote.

Only certain administrative law judges and a few others in quasi-judicial posts are covered by the special plan. Under Crowell's bill, any new employees hired to jobs currently covered by that plan would instead be included in the standard pension plan available to most state workers. Those who already qualify for the extra benefits wouldn't be affected.

An emergency clause was attached so the bill would take effect immediately upon being signed by the governor should it ultimately clear the legislature, preventing others from qualifying for the special plan under the wire.

"The faster we can get rid of this little perk for retirement benefits, the better," Crowell said.

Commission suspect

Frequent turnover on the three-member Labor and Industrial Relations Commission, one of the few groups covered by the special system, during the administration of former governor Bob Holden helped spark the drive to repeal the plan. Commissioners who had previous state service, particularly former lawmakers, immediately became eligible for significant boosts in retirement benefits even if they served for only a short time.

While Crowell said the special system is too broken to be fixed and must be eliminated, some lawmakers have suggested taking a less drastic approach.

The House Retirement Committee heard one such bill Wednesday sponsored by state Rep. Nathan Cooper, R-Cape Girardeau. Cooper's proposal would require gubernatorial appointees covered by the special plan to serve at least half of their term before qualifying for extra benefits.

Cooper said he is offering his less restrictive measure as an alternative in case Crowell's bill, which he supports, encounters opposition.

"If Jason's proposal does not pass, this would be a back up to ensure we fix the system," Cooper said.

The bills are SB 202 (Crowell) and HB 112 (Cooper).

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