Big Pensions Draw Legislative Attention Again

By Mick Hinton, Capitol Bureau, Tulsa World ~ Legislation to close a loophole in state law that allows some elected officials to retire with pensions bigger than the salaries they earned on the job has survived two committee hearings. But it is still questionable that a bill to abolish the loophole will become law this session, since numerous attempts in previous years have failed.

Republican lawmakers are trying to get the enhanced pension benefits abolished.

Most Democratic legislators are opposed to closing the loophole that helps hundreds of elected county officials throughout the state.

Lobbyist Dave Herbert, former state senator who represents county officers at the State Capitol, said it is only right that they get the enhanced benefits. "You suffered through a crappy old government job so you could have a decent pension when you retired," he said.

Read the entire story at www.tulsaworld.com.

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