Legislative Goals

GSRA’s goals are to gain legislators’ support for legislation that will maintain the integrity of retirees’ pension and health benefits, to support funding to pay for the benefits, and to oppose legislation that might compromise these benefits and the related funding sources. 

Though the current revenue crisis may preclude gaining additional fundiing this year, we hope to establish long-term improvements and safe-guards for pension and health insurance programs.  To the extent possible we will coordinate our efforts with representatives of other organizations that have the same goals. 

GSRA’s priorities are to:(detailed report on Legislative Goals in PDF format.) 

1. Support Adequate Funding for the State Health Benefit Plan to provide active employees and teachers and all retirees adequate and affordable health insurance options.
   
   
2. Support Employer Contributions to the ERS Which Will Prevent Further Erosion of the Retirement Fund.
   
   
3. Support Equity in Benefits among the Various State-Sponsored Retirement Systems and Equity in Pay Increases Among All State-Funded Employees.
   
   

4. Improve Representation on, and Operating Practices of, the Board of Community Health and the Employees Retirement System.  Achieve these improvements by:

   • Supporting Creation of a Health Benefits Advisory Committee for the Board of Community Health.  Require all policy decisions by the board and by department staff to be presented to the Advisory Committee for comment before action.
   • Supporting Representation of Retirees on the Employees Retirement System Board.
   • Requiring the Deliberations of Both Boards to Be Transparent, to Include Receiving Input and Advice from Members of the Retirement System and the State Health Benefit Plan Respectively
     
     
5. Support Greater Involvement of House and Senate Retirement Committees in Recommending Employer and Employee Contribution Rates to the Respective Appropriations Committees.
   
   
6. Support Legislation Authorizing ERS to Provide—Upon Approval of Individual Retirees—Retiree Contact Information to GSRA. 
   
   
7. Oppose legislation that expands risky types of investment alternatives for the retirement fund.  Oppose legislation which permits investment of retirement funds for any purpose other than maximizing the income of the fund.