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Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement
01.11.2024 Agenda

January 11, 2024, Pension Commission Meeting

red bullet  Fergus Falls City Hall, City Council Chamber, 112 W Washington Ave., Fergus Falls, MN 56537
 

Agenda - Listening Session Documents
Legislators will take this opportunity to hear from members of the public* on the topics of pension and retirement benefits for Minnesota's public employees and the work of the Commission.
Topics under discussion could include:
  • what is working well as it relates to Commission hearings and what improvements could be made;
  • how best can the Commission solicit public input on the direction of Minnesotans’ retirement investments in the context of a joint legislative commission;
  • the current and future landscape of public pension funds and how to prepare to keep plans whole and funded;
  • how to ensure all public employees in Minnesota, regardless of income, can benefit from a robust retirement system; and
  • how to protect retirement investments in our state’s public pension and retirement plans to guarantee a well-funded retirement.

★ NO OFFICIAL BUSINESS OR ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING ★

 2023 Session Summary
   Testifiers
  • Testimony related to pension plans other than teacher plans
    • Doug Anderson, Executive Director, Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), to speak on the Statewide Volunteer Fire plan incentive program (presentation)
    • Kile Bergren, Chief of Public Safety, Fergus Falls Police Department, to speak on duty disability changes
    • Barry Fitzgibbons, Sheriff, Otter Tail County, to speak on duty disability changes
    • Michael Lange, PERA Police and Fire Plan member, to speak on PERA disabilities
    • Michael Nelson, MSRS retiree and Vice-President of AFSCMEMN Chapter 5 Retirees United, to speak on COLA improvements
  • Testimony related to the Teachers Retirement Association and teacher pensions
    • Rodney Rowe, Secretary-Treasurer, Education Minnesota
    • Jason Savage, High School Principal, Pillager Public Schools
    • Deb Hart, Teacher, Perham Public Schools
    • Scott Hart, Science Teacher, Henning Public Schools
    • JoAnn Orpen, Teacher, Battle Lake Public Schools
    • Jenn Roos, Teacher, Fergus Falls Public Schools
    • Wes Tessman, President, Education Minnesota Retired
    • Shane Lee, Teacher, Wheaton Area Schools
    • Ethan Soland, Social Studies Teacher, Fergus Falls High School
    • Tim Pederson, 6th Grade Teacher, Hawley Public Schools

      Submitted testimony:
    • Bob Laine, Lake of the Woods High School Coach
    • Jackie Otkin, Teacher
    • Paul Peterson, Teacher, International Falls
    • Mollie Haspert, Teacher, Minneapolis Public Schools
    • Julie Martzke, Psychologist, ISD #196 Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan
    • Susan Hougen Lieberg, Tier 2 Teacher

*TESTIFIERS: If you would like to speak at the meeting, please contact Commission staff at lisa.diesslin@lcpr.mn.gov by 12:00 noon on Tuesday, January 9. Those who do not sign up in advance may be able to speak at the meeting if time permits.

ACCESSIBILITY/ACCOMMODATION: To comment on digital accessibility to meeting information, please submit comments using the Accessibility Comment Form. To request an accomodation, please visit FAQs for Disability Access or contact the Accessibility Coordinator at accessibility.coordinator@lcc.mn.gov. If accommodations for the Fergus Falls meeting under the Americans With Disabilities Act are needed, please call 651-296-2750 (651-296-9896 for TDD) as far in advance of the meeting as possible.

Meeting Details

  • Thursday, January 11, 2024
  • 4:30 - 6:00 PM
    **NOTE LOCATION**
    Fergus Falls City Hall
    City Council Chamber
    112 W Washington Ave.
    Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56537
  • Chair: Rep. Kaohly Vang Her

Printable Agenda

Commission Member List

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