The state Senate chose to not vote on the proposed pension reform bill Friday, instead sending it back to committee for additional changes.
Senate Bill 1 in its current form would reduce the annual cost of living adjustment for retired teachers from 1.5 to 1 percent. That has been the least popular part of the legislation, as retired teachers do not draw social security.
Senator Whitney Westerfield of Hopkinsville says other members of the Republican caucus needed more time before they were prepared to cast a vote.
He says he was ready to vote in favor of Senate Bill 1 Friday, but he too would like to see the 1.5 percent cost of living adjustment restored for retired teachers.
The legislation heads back to the Senate State and Local Government committee and Westerfield says he’s not sure on a timeline of when it could resurface.
Hear local lawmakers discuss this and other issues on our weekly legislative update program Sunday morning at 9 on Lite Rock 98.7 and online at lite987whop.com.