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January 2021 Legislative Alert

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LEGISLATIVE ALERT
Sen. Josh Harkins, (R), Rankin County has introduced Senate Bill 2726 which would bring forward provisions of the PERS law for purposes of a possible amendment. The bill does not specify what the amendment may be, but if it is brought up in the Finance Committee, which Senator Harkins chairs, anyone on the committee can offer any amendment to the law including:

  • Changes to the COLA;
  • Changes from a defined benefit program to a 401K for new employees; or
  • ANY other change anyone on the committee would like to see made.

This is a dangerous bill for PERS members since it does not specify exactly what the bill is intended to do, but has the potential to do a great deal of damage to PERS.

WHAT TO DO: Please contact Sen. Harkins at (601) 359-3770, and let him know MRPEA does not want this bill to be brought out, ESPECIALLY those who live in Rankin County. You will be leaving a message with whoever answers the phone, You may also email Senator Harkins at jharkins@senate.ms.gov.

WHAT TO SAY: Be sure to mention that the bill opens PERS law for possible amendment as well as giving the bill number (SB 2726).

ARE THERE OTHER BILLS I SHOULD WORRY ABOUT: Five other bills have been introduced dealing with various PERS issues which also do not need to be brought out because they also open PERS law up for possible amendment.

WHO SERVES ON THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE:

  • Senator Chris Johnson,
  • Senator Juan Barnett,
  • Senator Jason Barrett,
  • Senator Barbara Blackmon,
  • Senator David Blount,
  • Senator Nicole Boyd,
  • Senator Hob Bryan,
  • Senator Joel R. Carter, Jr.,
  • Senator Chris Caughman,
  • Senator Lydia Chassaniol,
  • Senator Jeremy England,
  • Senator Joey Fillingane,
  • Senator John Hohrn,
  • Senator David Jordan,
  • Senator Dean Kirby,
  • Senator Chris McDaniel,
  • Senator Chad McMahon,
  • Senator David Parker,
  • Senator Derrick T. Simmons,
  • Senator Melanie Sojourner,
  • Senator Daniel H. Sparks,
  • Senator Joseph Thomas,
  • Senator Mike Thompson,
  • Senator Neil S. Whaley, and
  • Senator Chuck Younger.

You may use the phone number above to send a message to any of these members ((601) 359-3770) or email them using their first initial, last name@senate.ms.gov.

The deadline for committees to report bills is February 11, 2021 so please contact as many of these legislators as you can prior to that time—especially Senator Harkins.