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May 25, 2009

Mayor backs changes to state retirement system

By JOE LoTEMPLIO

PLATTSBURGH — Plattsburgh Mayor Donald Kasprzak is among those throwing his support behind major changes to the state's retirement system.

The New York Conference of Mayors supports Gov. David Paterson's proposal to create a Tier V retirement category for all new state and local non-uniform employees.

The new employees would pay 3 percent of their gross pay toward their retirement for the duration of their employment.

The minimum retirement age would also be increased from 55 to 62 years old under the proposal.

Also, overtime earnings would be eliminated from an employee's final average salary calculations, which retirement payments are based on.

The conference not only supports the governor's idea, but its members would like to see it expanded to uniformed employees, as well.

Uniformed employees performing public-safety duties typically earn pension rates that are twice as much as non-uniformed workers.

On average, about 75 percent of a municipality's government pension bill is attributable to police and fire employees.

Kasprzak said serious reform to the pension system is needed or local governments, already feeling a fiscal strain, will suffer even more.

But, so far, the governor's proposal has not mustered much steam in Albany.

"Unfortunately, it appears that not just Plattsburgh but the entire state will foot the bill for the lack of conviction among our leaders in Albany to do the right thing," Kasprzak said.

"These changes to the pension plan will reduce costs for the state, which will benefit all municipalities and lesson the tax burden on all Plattsburgh residents."

Kasprzak said Paterson and Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith met with a number of mayors from across the state at a recent conference meeting in Albany.

"The governor and majority leader were very good, and they listened to our concerns, but I can't say the same thing for (Assembly speaker Sheldon) Silver and (Senate minority leader Dean) Skelos," the mayor said.

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com

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