The Association report

from the Capitol

June 18, 2002

In spite of a legislative session fraught with petty partisan politics piled on top of budget problems, our Association rose above the fray to improve the lot of our members.

An example is HB 1455 which would expand our employees’ options regarding the “back drop” retirement program. HB 1455 was “truly agreed” (given final legislative approval) on May 17th.  The governor has not yet signed the bill into law. He has until July 14 to sign bills. The “back drop” is a “lump-sum” retirement plan that our Association initiated and lobbied until it became law in the 2001 legislative session.

Another victory for our employees was preserving our jobs from “privatization” legislation. Our Association challenged and successfully removed a provision in SB 970 which would have “out-sourced” right-of-way maintenance jobs. SB 970 was legislation moving through the general assembly which would have increased MoDOT funding.

SB 970 was similar to a house substitute for SB 907, 710 and 915 which eventually became the transportation funding package. It was “truly agreed” also on May 17th. It does not have to be signed by the governor since it must be approved by voters at the Aug. 6 primary election.

Much of the recently-completed legislative session was focused on increasing funding for MoDOT. Most legislators agreed that Missouri highways and bridges need improvement. However most of the debate was over “how much” and “how” MoDOT funding would be increased. A joint conference committee finally came to agreement on a proposal for a 4-cent per gallon fuel tax plus a ‘/2-cent general sales tax to be offered for a state-wide vote.

Other legislation initiated by the Association included HB 1572 which would allow our employees to receive retirement credit for each day of unused sick leave. HB l572 was passed by the House Retirement Committee but not debated by the full house.

Other Association legislation included;

•                SB 1049 which would provide specific options for unused vacation time.

•                HB 1426 which would remove the minimum age of 50 for retirement under “80 and out.”

•                HB 1620 would require regular job studies, limit the number of pay brackets per grade for salaried employees and establish annual pay raises based on the CPI, all for MoDOT employees.

•                HB 1560 which would require the MoDOT retirement system to make a greater contribution to retirees’ heath insurance premiums.

•                HB 1529 and HB 1818 would base MoDOT COLA’s on 100% of CPI rather than 80% of CPI as is now the law.

These bills, like so many of the other hundreds of bills introduced in the 2002 session, did not move beyond committee status.

At the end of the session, however, our members can be proud of the Association’s effort in continuing to push for improved worker benefits and keeping our goals persistently before the general assembly.

From Harry Hill, Lobbyist

Missouri Highway and Transportation Employees’

Association