04/30/07

JACKSON - The Mississippi House and Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday to repeal legislative pension benefits lawmakers had approved for themselves more than a month ago.

Since our legislators did go behind closed door, voted and passed this Retirement Benefit Package. How many other bill's have been passed behind closed door the Mississippians don't know about?

The House vote, 102-15 to repeal, came less than an hour after the opening of a special session. The Senate agreed 48-0 in striking down the law scheduled to go into effect Saturday.

So now, we the voters, and the people which waste our tax dollars, by paying there salaries, on these 174 elected officials.  Now we are supposed to forget what they attempted to do, I don't think so!
I would really like to know the names of the 15 elected officials which voted not to repeal the Retirement Benefit Package. 

The pension change, which would have nearly tripled the state contribution to lawmakers' retirement plans, was approved in the final week of the 2000 session in May. Some lawmakers said they were unaware of the change and wanted a second chance to vote on it.

Lets place an Initiative on the ballot and let the voters decided if our lawmakers should have a second chance.  Like, we the voters of Mississippi, believe our legislatures did not know about the bill. Their was only about a $ 15,000 increase in there Retirement Benefit Package per year, per lawmaker. I can not see how the lawmakers could not know about the bill.  The House Speaker, Tim Ford, stated the bill was discussed on the floor. I suppose all of our lawmakers were somewhere else in Mississippi and missed this debate.

Supporters of the retirement package say they will fight later to improve benefits for elected officials in Mississippi.

This tells me that by voting all 174 lawmakers out of office in 2003, and explain how, " we the people" which pay there salaries to the all new lawmakers that we decide what happens in Mississippi not the lawmakers. The statement, "they will fight later to improve benefits," makes the statement, "we the lawmakers of Mississippi will do whatever we want to do."

Rep. Erik Fleming, D-Jackson, said some people expect legislators to be more than public servants. He said they expect them to be ''public slaves.''

Rep. Erik Fleming, D-Jackson, needs to remember that when he decided to run for office and become an elected official. That know one held a gun to his head and said, you must become a "Public Slave to the people of Mississippi." 
And by becoming an elected official has become a," Public Servant" to the people of Mississippi. With Rep. Erik Fleming making a statement like he has, why in the hell is this lawmaker still in office!! He did not run and get elected to Serve the People, so what is his agenda?

Gov. Ronnie Musgrove had summoned legislators to Jackson to reconsider the $600,000 retirement perks.

I see Gov. Ronnie Musgrove being a one term Governor. People will not forget as soon as he believes.

Lawmakers have been subjected to criticism in angry letters to newspapers and protests from state employees upset about the pension change.

Why would the voters and taxpayers be angry with there lawmakers. The lawmakers firmly believe they have done nothing wrong. Which is why they secretly went behind closed doors and voted themselves a very healthy Retirement Benefit Package.  And not only that, Rep. Erik Fleming, D-Jackson, said some people expect legislators to be more than public servants. He said they expect them to be ''public slaves.'' And supporters of the retirement package say they will fight later to improve benefits for elected officials in Mississippi.

''The way that this entire situation has been portrayed has caused the public to distrust the way that the legislative process works. I regret that there have been insinuations of less-than-forthright actions in connection with House Bill 1281,'' House Speaker Tim Ford said.

You can read the House Bill 1281 below.

Ford, D-Baldwyn, said lawmakers were responding to the public.

Ford, D-Baldwyn should have known not to bring up a bill like the Retirement Benefit Package behind closed doors Then vote and pass the bill thinking the voter and taxpayers of Mississippi would not find out. How long has Ford, D-Baldwyn been an elected official - perhaps too long?

''This proves to me that the legislative process works, and I am proud that the voters can influence the process. That is the way the American legislative system was intended to operate,'' he said.

But I am also confident that if the Retirement Benefit Package had not been repealed. Ford, D-Baldwyn would have enjoyed  the new Retirement Package.

Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, said he hoped Mississippians would ''practice a forgiving spirit.''

You are living in a dream world, Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, the Mississippi legislators have done nothing but take money and perks from the voters and taxpayers for Years & years & years. Mississippi is usually 50th out of 50 states, this year we were 49th out of 50 states in health and education.  But Mississippi is number one in Gonorrhea in the United States. And you hope Mississippians should, ''practice a forgiving spirit.''

The galleries were packed with retirees and state employees. They jeered some of the comments.

INITIATIVE - INITIATIVE - INITIATIVE - INITIATIVE - 5 BALLOTS PER STATEWIDE ELECTION.   - MISSISSIPPI INITIATIVE - JOIN INITIATIVE
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Brenda Scott, president of the 3,000-member Mississippi Alliance of State Employees, was among opponents of the change. She said emotions have been stirred because lawmakers gave state workers and teachers no raises this year. Tight finances were blamed.

What does Tight finances mean anyway?  We (lawmakers) have money to double our Retirement Benefit Package. But not enough to raise the state workers and teacher salaries. 
Their should not even be a lawmakers Retirement System. By voting to do away with the lawmakers Retirement Benefit Package, their will be plenty of money for a pay raise for the state workers and teachers.  Think about it? Vote the lawmakers out!!

''Everybody had to be put on hold this year, except legislators,'' she said.

But wait;  Rep. Erik Fleming, D-Jackson, said some people expect legislators to be more than public servants. He said they expect them to be ''public slaves.'' 
And Supporters of the retirement package say they will fight later to improve benefits for elected officials in Mississippi.
Brenda Scott, do you really believe the lawmakers will put the state workers and teacher ahead of themselves?

Musgrove could have vetoed the bill, which also gives state employees more retirement options, but instead decided to let it become law without his signature. The governor, in Pascagoula to speak at a fund-raising dinner for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Jackson County, praised lawmakers for "correcting their mistake."

What does the Governor mean when he said, praise the lawmakers for "correcting their mistake."
If I am not mistaken the Governor and LT. Governor would have benefited as well by the passing of the Retirement Benefit Package.  Sounds like a political side-step too me.

"It's the first time to my knowledge the legislature has agreed to not pay itself for a special session," Musgrove said. "They acted responsibly and in response to the people of Mississippi, and that's the way it's supposed to be. People need to speak out, and elected officials need to listen."

I want to know if our lawmakers let the taxpayers pay for there expenses, including reimbursement for mileage, housing in Jackson and meals. If they let the taxpayers pay for everything except for the one day special session, the taxpayers still paid for this special session didn't they?

The pension improvements have been widely debated in radio talk shows and newspapers.

And now in the:

MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST
local news 
&
commentary

In a letter published Wednesday in The Clarion-Ledger of Jackson, William Browne of Brandon suggested a pay-per-view wrestling match between lawmakers and taxpayers.

Now here is a man after my own heart, but lets just vote all of the lawmakers out of office before they become eligible for the Retirement Benefits.

''Right now there are many Mississippians who would love to get in the ring and take a good poke at these jokers,'' he wrote.

Be careful, you will find that most of our lawmakers are attorneys!! Which is another good reason to vote all of our lawmakers out of office.

PLEASE DO NOT VOTE OF ATTORNEYS!!

Some lawmakers have said the public debate has not included information about their work helping constituents with health and welfare problems.

If the voters & taxpayers had excess to the, "copyright Miss-Code," they may have a better idea on what our lawmakers do. CAN YOU SAY 49TH OUT OF 50 STATE ON HEALTH AND EDUCATION!!

''Here we are being kicked and scorned and made to look like we're some sort of villains,'' Rep. Tyrone Ellis, D-Starkville, said Wednesday.

Rep. Tyrone Ellis, D-Starkville, you may actually be getting the point. Now, if you can figure out why the lawmakers are being kicked and scorned and made to look like there some sort of villains. And not blame the voters & taxpayers you can explain everything to the lawmakers.

Ellis said an attractive benefits package is needed to keep qualified people in the Legislature.

I have been hearing this forever, " an attractive benefits package is needed to keep qualified people in the Legislature." Are you qualified? Did you become a lawmaker for the benefit package? Did someone make you become an elected official, which are elected to serve the people of Mississippi? Did you vote for or against the Retirement Benefit Package?

''You're going to end up with mainly rich, financially independent legislators who are not going to be concerned about democracy, the middle class and lower class,'' said Ellis. ''They won't have the knowledge of what people go through.''

Since its well known that the two party system is not working. Why are voters & taxpayers told they must vote for either a Democrat or Republican? The voters can vote for whom ever they believe would be the best person for whatever elected office they (voters) want.  They can take a piece of paper, write down the name and elected office they want the person in, and drop that piece of paper in the ballot box. Each vote must be counted - its the American Way!!

Lawmakers earn $10,000 a year and receive on average another $25,000 for expenses including reimbursement for mileage, housing in Jackson and meals.

Legislators covered by two retirement plans:  Much is being said about what is called, the lawmakers' private, Supplemental Legislative Retirement Plan, which our  legislators are covered by not one, but two retirement plans.

Besides the Supplemental Legislative Retirement Plan , our lawmakers draw benefits from the Public Employees Retirement System which covers regular state, and local employees. Drawing benefits from both, a 30-year legislator can retire with a yearly pension of about $26,000.

If the Retirement Benefits Package had not been repealed our legislators retirement would be increased to  $32,000-to-$36,000 per year. House Speaker Tim Ford, with his previous legislative time, could get more.

Not bad for part-time citizen-legislators, since the State of Mississippi, whose per capita income is the lowest in the nation.

If you think the $10,000 annual salary for Mississippi legislators,  is the only amount credited to their retirement account write, call, fax, or email your legislature and ask for a copy of his/her monthly pay, per-diem or perks pay, and his retirement benefits.  You are suppose to be able to request any document/file under the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983, but just try to get a copy.  Even though it is public domain you will have to pay for the file.  SECRETARY OF STATE Public Records Information
                  click here

All perks count toward pension benefits: Initiative - vote to repeal pension perks counting towards retirement.

Our lawmakers in the1980s didn't raise their annual salaries, but installed the approved what is called, "per diem or perks," for each day they are in regular or special session and for each time they attend any committee meeting or other authorized function between sessions.

To give you, the voters and taxpayer the impression that they were, raising their pay. The per diem is geared to whatever figure is permissible by the Internal Revenue Service. Initially it was about $65 a day. Now it has risen to $94 a day.

So, when the 125-day legislation session ended, the lawmakers drew an extra $11,750 in per diem, above their regular salary. They also get a $1,500 monthly expense check - with no itemization required - between sessions.

So, the between-session committee meetings for which lawmakers get extra pay and, for favored legislators, out-of-state travel with expenses to conferences or meetings. In the House, the Management Committee approves members' trips and between-session committee meetings. In the Senate, the Rules Committee does it.

The Senate Rules Committee has come up with a cute new idea of allowing committee chairmen to call a "committee of one," allowing them to draw two days at $40 each month, plus their $94 per diem, to do "committee work and research." All senators, including chairmen, can also get two "constituent" days ($94 per) a month. Does this sound like our legislatures are working in our best interest or in there own best interest? Remember the copyright Miss-Code of 1972?

House rules limit lawmakers to two days per month for between-session committee meetings.

So, here is how it works, except for travel mileage every dollar lawmakers draw from state funds - per diem and all the rest - goes toward their accrued retirement benefits.

It should be obvious to the voters that the increase placed into the, "House Bill 1281," in the 2000 session and  conference stage, could not have been a last-minute amendment.

http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2000/pdf/history/HB/HB1281.htm
                           click here

Some craftiness legislators invented the proposal by putting two Miss-code sections in reference to the  Supplemental Legislative Retirement Plan  law into a bill that had an entirely different purpose.

These Miss-code sections were sitting in the bill authored by Rep. Johnny Stringer, D-Montrose, waiting for three representatives and three senators behind closed doors to open the container to double there Retirement Benefit Package.  Rep. Johnny Stringer, D-Montrose was one of the six.

Mississippi Legislature

2000 Regular Session

House Bill 1281

This is  the Retirement Benefit Package
our lawmakers passed.

and in a special secession was repealed
June 29, 2000

Steven A. McCaleb

mccaleb4thdist@aol.com

Description: PERS; Highway Patrol Retirement System, and Supplemental Legislative Retirement Plan; revise certain provisions of.

History of Actions:

1	02/21/00	(H)		Referred To Appropriations
2	03/02/00	(H)		Title Suff Do Pass
3	03/07/00	(H)		Passed
4	03/07/00	(H)		Motion to Reconsider Entered
5	03/08/00	(H)		Motion to Reconsider Tabled
6	03/08/00	(H)		Transmitted To Senate
7	03/08/00	(S)		Referred To Finance
8	04/04/00	(S)		Title Suff Do Pass As Amended
9	04/05/00	(S)		Amended
10	04/05/00	(S)		Passed As Amended
11	04/06/00	(S)		Returned For Concurrence
12	04/19/00	(H)		Decline to Concur/Invite Conf
13	04/21/00	(H)		Conferees Named Capps,Read,Stringer
14	04/26/00	(S)		Conferees Named Minor,Canon,Robertson
15	05/01/00	(H)		Conference Report Filed
16	05/01/00	(S)		Conference Report Filed
17	05/02/00	(H)		Conference Report Adopted
18	05/02/00	(S)		Conference Report Adopted
19	05/02/00	(S)		Motion to Reconsider Entered
20	05/03/00	(S)		Reconsidered
21	05/03/00	(S)		Conference Report Adopted
22	05/05/00	(H)		Enrolled Bill Signed
23	05/05/00	(S)		Enrolled Bill Signed
24	05/23/00			Law W/out Governor's Signature

I believe that when a law is passed, it must be signed by the Governor to become law.  Having a law become law just because the Governor does not sign it tells me the State of Mississippi does not need a Governor.

 
Background Information:

Principal Author: Stringer

HERE ARE THOSE FAMOUS MISSISSIPPI CODES WHICH ARE COPY WRITTEN SO YOU, THE PUBLIC, DO NOT GET TO SEE.

How many Mississippians have knowledge of the contents of the below miss-codes.

e-mail me and let me know: mccaleb4thdist@aol.com

Miss-Code Sections: A 025-0011-0103, A 025-0011-0111, A 025-0011-0121, A 025-0011-0131, A 025-0011-0139, A 025-0011-0112, A 025-0011-0114, A 025-0011-0115, A 025-0011-0117, A 025-0013-0012, A 025-0013-0013, A 025-0013-0016, A 025-0013-0021, A 025-0011-0309, A 025-0011-0311, A 025-0011-0307

WHY IS THE MISSISSIPPI CODE COPYRIGHTED.
SO YOUR LEGISLATORS CAN PASS Bill's LIKE THIS!!

Title: AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 25-11-115.2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM SHALL NOT KNOWINGLY ALLOW BENEFIT PAYMENTS TO BE MADE DIRECTLY TO PERSONS WHO ARE DETERMINED TO BE LEGALLY INCOMPETENT;

 TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PERSON WHO COMES TO BE KNOWN BY THE SYSTEM AS INCAPABLE OF APPLYING FOR, MANAGING OR DIRECTING THE MANAGEMENT OF BENEFITS BY REASON OF MENTAL OR PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT SHALL BE DIRECTED TO OBTAIN A CONSERVATOR OR LEGAL GUARDIAN;

TO PROVIDE THAT THE SYSTEM MAY DESIGNATE A REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE FOR SUCH PERSON UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES;

TO PROVIDE THAT CERTIFICATION BY A MEDICAL DOCTOR OF INCAPACITY TO APPLY FOR, MANAGE OR DIRECT THE MANAGEMENT OF BENEFITS SHALL BE REQUIRED BY THE SYSTEM BEFORE APPOINTMENT OF A REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE;

 TO REQUIRE A REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE TO APPLY BENEFITS PAID ONLY FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF THE BENEFIT RECIPIENT;

TO LIMIT THE LIABILITY OF THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR PAYMENTS MADE TO A REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE;

TO PROVIDE AN OPTION UNDER WHICH ANNUITY PAYMENTS SHALL BE PAID TO AN INCAPACITATED PERSON IN THE ABSENCE OF A CONSERVATOR, LEGAL GUARDIAN OR DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY;

TO CREATE NEW SECTIONS 25-11-117.1, 25-11-311.1 AND 23-13-21.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DESIGNATE TO WHOM BENEFITS ARE PAYABLE IN THE EVENT OF THE DEATH OF THE RETIREE AND THE DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY OF THE RETIREE UNDER THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM, THE SUPPLEMENTAL LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT PLAN AND THE MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL RETIREMENT SYSTEM;

TO CREATE NEW SECTION 25-11-312, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO ACCEPT AN ELIGIBLE ROLLOVER DISTRIBUTION OR A DIRECT TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM ANOTHER QUALIFIED PLAN IN PAYMENT OF ALL OR A PORTION OF THE COST TO REINSTATE PREVIOUSLY WITHDRAWN SERVICE CREDIT IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT PLAN;

TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH PLAN MAY ACCEPT SUCH PAYMENTS IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO OR LESS THAN THE BALANCE DUE FOR REINSTATEMENT OF SERVICE CREDIT;

TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-103, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY WHO IS DESIGNATED AS THE BENEFICIARY OF A MEMBER IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS;

TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-111, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE A RETIREE OR BENEFICIARY TO IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ALL OR A PORTION OF THE RETIREMENT BENEFITS TO WHICH THE RETIREE OR BENEFICIARY IS ENTITLED;

TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-121, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF CERTAIN FOREIGN INVESTMENTS THAT THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM MAY MAKE TO 30% OF THE TOTAL BOOK VALUE OF ALL INVESTMENTS OF THE SYSTEM; TO AMEND SECTIONS 25-11-131 AND 25-11-139, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM HAS THE DUTY TO CORRECT ERRORS IN PAYMENTS OF BENEFITS;

TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH CORRECTIONS SHALL BE MADE UPON DETECTION OF THE ERROR, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE LENGTH IT TAKES FOR THE BOARD TO BECOME AWARE OF THE ERROR;

TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-311, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE A MEMBER OR BENEFICIARY ELIGIBLE FOR A REFUND UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT PLAN TO HAVE AN ELIGIBLE ROLLOVER DISTRIBUTION OF ACCUMULATED CONTRIBUTIONS PAYABLE PAID DIRECTLY INTO AN ELIGIBLE RETIREMENT PLAN OR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT;

TO PROVIDE THE MANNER IN WHICH A MEMBER OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT PLAN WHO HAS RECEIVED A REFUND AND IS REELECTED TO THE LEGISLATURE MAY REPURCHASE CREDITABLE SERVICE IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT PLAN;

TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-115, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH A NEW RETIREMENT OPTION UNDER THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO ALLOW A MEMBER WHO HAS AT LEAST 28 YEARS OF CREDITABLE SERVICE AT THE TIME OF RETIREMENT, OR WHO IS AT LEAST 63 YEARS OF AGE AT THE TIME OF RETIREMENT, TO RECEIVE A PARTIAL LUMP SUM DISTRIBUTION;

TO PROVIDE THAT THE LUMP SUM DISTRIBUTION SHALL BE EQUAL TO THE MAXIMUM MONTHLY BENEFIT MULTIPLIED BY 12, 24 OR 36;

TO PROVIDE THAT THE MEMBER'S BENEFIT SHALL BE REDUCED TO REFLECT THE PAYMENT SELECTED AND SHALL BE COMPUTED TO RESULT IN NO ACTUARIAL LOSS TO THE SYSTEM;

TO AMEND SECTION 25-13-16, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH A NEW RETIREMENT OPTION UNDER THE HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO ALLOW A MEMBER WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE WITH AN UNREDUCED BENEFIT TO RECEIVE A PARTIAL LUMP SUM DISTRIBUTION;

TO PROVIDE THAT THE LUMP SUM DISTRIBUTION SHALL BE EQUAL TO THE MAXIMUM MONTHLY BENEFIT MULTIPLIED BY 12, 24 OR 36;

TO PROVIDE THAT THE MEMBER'S BENEFIT SHALL BE REDUCED TO REFLECT THE PAYMENT SELECTED AND SHALL BE COMPUTED TO RESULT IN NO ACTUARIAL LOSS TO THE SYSTEM;

TO AMEND SECTIONS 25-11-112, 25-11-114, 25-11-117, 25-13-12, 25-13-13, AND 25-13-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT;

TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-309, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE USED TO CALCULATE THE AMOUNT OF RETIREMENT ALLOWANCES FROM THE SUPPLEMENTAL LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT PLAN; TO REMOVE THE CAP ON THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF A RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE THAT A RETIREE MAY RECEIVE FROM THE SUPPLEMENTAL LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT PLAN AND THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-307, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF EMPLOYEE AND EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT PLAN; TO DIRECT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE FEASIBILITY OF PROVIDING ONE HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR ALL RETIRED PUBLIC EMPLOYEES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AGGREGATE: Meaning COMBINE

STEVEN A. McCALEB
COMMENTARY
MY OPINION