Connecticut House Bill HB06095

Connecticut 2017 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/17
• Refer: 1/20/17

Caption

An Act Eliminating Reimbursements To Legislators For Mileage From The Calculation Of Retirement Income.

Impact

If enacted, HB 6095 would result in legislators' pension benefits being reduced, as mileage reimbursements are often a substantial part of their overall compensation package. By removing these reimbursements from pension calculations, the bill seeks to lower the financial obligation of the state concerning retirement pensions for legislators. This change may help in addressing concerns raised about pension sustainability and state budgetary pressure.

Summary

House Bill 6095 aims to amend Chapter 66 of the general statutes to exclude mileage reimbursements received by legislators from the calculations of base salary that determine their retirement income. The bill was introduced by Representative Lopes and referred to the Appropriations Committee. The primary objective of this legislation is to reevaluate how legislative compensation directly impacts public pension liabilities, thereby reaffirming the integrity of state finances.

Contention

On the legislative floor, some members may argue that removing mileage reimbursements from pension calculations could be seen as a necessary cost-saving measure, particularly in times of budgetary constraints. However, others could contend that this might disincentivize public service by undermining the benefits that come with such roles, thus, potentially impacting the ability of the state to attract qualified individuals to serve as legislators. The discussion surrounding this bill raises fundamental questions about the balance between fiscal responsibility and fair compensation for public service.