Capitol Roundup: Mullery votes for bill to maintain benefits for public employees and retirees

June 18--DM

WILKES-BARRE -- State Rep. Gerald Mullery, D-Newport Township, voted in favor of a pension reform bill that maintains benefits for current public employees and retirees while changing the pension structure for most future state and school employees.

Mullery said the bipartisan compromise is a vast improvement on the approach of previous years.

The bill -- S.B. 1071 -- was amended in the House, and would shift some financial risk away from taxpayers and reduce future pension costs while protecting retirement security for current employees and those already retired.

Speaker of the House Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, and House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indian, also applauded the strong bipartisan passage of S.B. 1071. The bill passed, 136-59.

As it was amended by the House, the bill is expected to save taxpayers at least $5 billion. It includes significant reform which combines the best attributes of the 401(k) and Defined Benefits (DB) plans.

Currently, more than 236,000 people are enrolled in the Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System (SERS), while more than 609,000 belong to the Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS). The systems' consulting actuaries have reported the systems now face more than $63 billion in unfunded liability.

The plan delivers competitive benefits to new hires in today's marketplace and helps ensure that unfunded liabilities do not grow further and proactively safeguards the commonwealth's credit rating.

Video launched to help professionals

identify and prevent elder financial abuse

During a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day gathering at the Governor's Residence, the Department of Aging recognized adult protective services investigators from counties throughout the commonwealth for their service in protecting older Pennsylvanian's from abuse, neglect and exploitation.

The event also included the Department of Banking and Securities announcing the availability of an updated video to help health care and legal professionals identify, report and prevent elder financial abuse.

Secretary of Banking and Securities Robin L. Wiessmann said the video aims to educate professionals about how to identify signs of elder financial abuse. The video features the compelling stories of victims of elder financial abuse and their families, as well as testimony from medical experts and professionals working to protect senior citizens.

Secretary of Aging Teresa Osborn said the department wanted to publicly recognize the protective services investigators who respond to elder abuse reports. Osborne said working collaboratively with Banking and Securities affords additional opportunities to strengthen efforts to ensure older adults are supported as they cope with the harm done to them while seeking restitution and justice.

The video stresses four signs for professionals and family members to watch: social isolation, poor investment decisions. sudden changes of their will and a reduced ability to make decisions.

The video is available on the Department of Aging's YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/PaDepartmentOfAging and the Department of Banking and Securities Facebook: www.facebook.com/PABankingandSecurities.

The Arc of PA names Baker

as 'Legislator of the Year'

The Arc of Pennsylvania honored Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, as "Legislator of the Year" for her leadership in addressing the needs of Pennsylvanians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Baker, who has taken an active approach in supporting legislation that aids the disabled community, has been an ardent and vocal supporter of legislation that has advanced The Arc's efforts. Baker worked creating the Pennsylvania ABLE Act, which allows people with disabilities to save money for needed living expenses, without losing vital benefits like Medicaid.

Baker has been actively involved with the ongoing #IWantToWork campaign and continuously listens to people with disabilities, their families, their caregivers and advocates to make sure their needs are being met in Harrisburg.

PA Secretary of Aging announces

senior community center grants

Secretary of Aging Teresa Osborne has announced the recipients of the 2015-16 Senior Community Center grants, totaling over $2 million from the Pennsylvania Lottery to be distributed to 43 senior community centers across the commonwealth.

In Luzerne County, the Edwardsville Active Adult Center received a $45,509 grant.

Osborne said senior community centers serve as accessible, safe harbors and local gateways to a robust system of home and community based services older adults can rely upon as they strive to age in place.

The grant awards will advance senior community center projects to modernize facilities, encourage technology improvements, enhance innovative programming, attract new members, build on successful practices and help meet the needs of their participants.

Recognized by the Older Americans Act as a community focal point, senior community centers serve as a resource for older adults by connecting them to vital community services that can help them stay healthy and independent. Centers offer a wide variety of programs and services that may include healthy and nutritious meal programs, enrichment programs, educational opportunities, transportation services, financial and insurance counseling and social and recreational activities.

Senate passes bill granting property tax

relief for spouses of soldiers killed in action

The Pennsylvania Senate Monday unanimously approved SB-1109, which would extend the state's property tax exemption program for disabled veterans to the surviving spouse of soldiers killed in action.

Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, who sponsored the legislation, noted the current program's guidelines allow the property tax exemption to be transferred to the surviving spouse of a totally disabled veteran when he or she passes away, but does not allow the exemption to be given to spouses of those killed in action.

Spouses would be eligible as long as they were living in the home prior to the military member being called into active service.

The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Because this is a constitutional amendment, it is required to receive affirmative votes in both General Assembly chambers in two consecutive legislative sessions and then must be voted on by state voters during an election.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.

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