Yesterday, the Board of Trustees for Mississippi’s Public Employees Retirement System made the final ruling on a policy change allowing state retirees to serve in the Mississippi Legislature and draw their retirement. Final PERS board approval had been pending confirmation from the IRS that the new policy would not jeopardize the tax status of the retirement system.
This puts to bed any concern that the Attorney General’s December 2018 ruling on the matter would not stand, and it paves the way for retired state employees, including retired educators, to serve in the Legislature while drawing their hard-earned retirement. That could be a game-changer for Mississippi public schools.
The 2020 Legislative Session will convene in less than three weeks with a crop of newly-elected legislators that includes retired educators – good news for Mississippi children! We at The Parents’ Campaign are looking forward to working with new and returning lawmakers, and we want you to be involved in the process, as well.
Be watching your inbox in early January for information that will help you take a prominent role in the formation of policy and legislation that affects public education. If you know others in your community who should also be involved, please have them sign up here to make sure that they are kept in the loop.
In the meantime, we wish you the happiest of holidays and a spectacular New Year. We’re anticipating a great 2020 Legislative Session with you on our team – because together, we’ve got this!
