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56 °F 5 Day Forecast Monday, October 20, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend May 21, 2003 Proposal would halt PERS double dipping SALEM — A Central Point legislator has introduced a set of amendments to stop the practice of "double dipping" by public employees. Rep. Dennis Richardson, a freshman Republican, said his proposal will get a hearing next week before a committee set up to reform the Public Employees Retirement System. Richardson’s amendments would halt the practice of employees retiring, collecting their pensions and then turning around and working in the same position under contract. In effect, he said, many can earn twice the normal pay for doing the same work — their pension benefits and a salary. Richardson said double dipping prevents new employees from moving up or into jobs, milks the PERS system and infuriates the public. "PERS retirees should terminate so younger people can be hired and contribute to Oregon’s economy," he said. Oregon’s greatest export is its young people because they can’t find jobs, Richardson added. Advertisement The proposal does not apply to counties with a population of 35,000 or less — about half the counties in the state — because of the difficulty they have in attracting qualified personnel. If implemented, the amendments would take effect in July 2004 and would prevent retirees from double dipping for two years. A retiree could then return to a PERS job under the 1040 rule that allows them to work just over 1,000 hours a year without losing pension benefits. Richardson’s amendments are attached to Senate Bill 325 that exempts some public employees from the rule limiting working hours after retirement. The Central Point legislator predicted that he has the votes to get the bill out of committee with his amendments. "I guess the issue is whether we have the political will to get this reform through," he said. The stumbling block is the governor, who is opposed to the amendments, Richardson said. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times