Nevada controller releases wish list for bills in next legislative session
CARSON CITY — State Controller Ron Knecht on Friday released a list of bills he has requested be drafted for the 2017 legislative session, including a measure that would create a hybrid retirement plan for state and local government employees.
Employees would have the option to move into this plan, which Knecht said would diversify their risks and provide them greater freedom and control in their retirement financial planning. They would not be required to participate in this program, but could not return to the existing programs once they opt into it.
Members of the Nevada’s Public Employees Retirement System would have the option to move into this plan. The plan covers nearly all state and local government employees, including educational personnel.
“Nevada PERS faces great challenges due to unfunded liabilities, and these challenges are not only a burden on taxpayers, but they also threaten the retirement security of public employees,” Knecht said. “This hybrid plan would not only stop the growth of taxpayer burden, but it would also allow employees to provide greater security for their retirement.”
Another of the four proposed bills would give local governments the option to negotiate or refuse to negotiate with recognized public-employee unions. Presently, local governments must engage in collective bargaining with these unions, and this requirement significantly raises costs to taxpayers and makes these governments operate inefficiently and in nontransparent ways.
“This bill corrects a mistake made nearly half a century ago when the Legislature tied the hands of local governments and unfairly burdened their taxpayers,” Knecht said. “We want to restore the power to local officials to be responsive to their citizens and to operate economically.”
Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-3820. Follow @seanw801 on Twitter.
RELATED
Audit suggests state’s debt collection be moved from controller to governor’s office
Ron Knecht should do his job before politics
