Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/85591
WEA & ALLIES stand up for public Pensions managed by the Wyoming Retirement System promise stability to our teachers, fire fighters, police, nurses, and the many other people who devote their careers to public service in Wyoming. But the system has been attacked by some state policymakers who say the defined benefit system is in trouble. Some have argued that the existing system should be closed and replaced. The Coalition for a Healthy Retirement System, which includes the WEA and its allies, disagrees. Wyoming's system is healthy, especially in comparison to public systems in other states that have been underfunded or where funds were borrowed to support other programs. During the 2012 Budget session of the Wyoming Legislature, supporters of the system fended off a proposed bill that would have closed the existing defined benefit system and replaced it with a defined contribution plan. Other did bring changes to the system. The Legislature imposed very legislation management standards that, for the foreseeable future, mean retirees will not see any cost of living conservative adjustments to their monthly benefit. In an effort to educate the public and public employees about the system and to explain why it is crucial to both better government and the state's economy, the Coalition for a Healthy Retirement System plans several town hall meetings that will feature retirees, public employees, and officials responsible for running the system. The first of these meetings was staged Aug. 14 in Sheridan. Two other meetings are scheduled, including: Nov. 8 in Cheyenne at the WYDOT auditorium, and in Casper on Nov. 28 at the Nichols Auditorium on the Casper College campus. Both meetings will start at 7:00 PM. The coalition is exploring possibility of holding a virtual town hall meeting that people across the state could attend via the WEN Network. the Upcoming TOWN HALL MEETINGS November 8th - Cheyenne WYDOT Auditorium November 28th - Casper Casper College Nichols Auditorium 18 BACK TO SCHOOL 2012 | WEAnews