Editorial: Benefit Liabilities - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: Benefit Liabilities

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  • Editorials

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;

  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:20:07 GMT
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 

  • Thursday, May 9 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-09 23:20:06 GMT
    What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer.  Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. What
    What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer.  Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. What
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The state of Alabama continues to increase the money spent on retirement benefits for state and education workers. 

But it is still falling short of fully funding its total liabilities and the gap is growing. 

It may be a 50% gap in five years. 

Something must give.  Benefits provided now don't look sustainable.  Contributions paid now are not enough to cover costs.  

And the state is broke.  Help from state taxpayers is not likely until the economy recovers.   

Doing nothing now is unacceptable. 

At the very least, legislation extending the time for the state to make payments to the retirement systems is needed. 

Additionally, tougher choices will need to be made. 

One that should be made is to extend the time when state employees and teachers can retire.  It is currently after 25 years of service.  So many now are eligible in their 40's.  

These changes won't provide a total fix, but it would be a good start.