Rep. Woody Burton and fellow members of the Pension Management Oversight Commission summer study committee met last week to discuss ways of preserving the retirement plans for teachers, police officers, and firefighters.
In attendance were numerous teachers, firefighters and police officers from various areas of the state, one in particular was Officer Jason Fishburn.
Officer Fishburn was shot in July 2008 as he tried to serve a warrant to Brian Reese of Indianapolis, who shot the officer in the head and torso. Although critically wounded, Officer Fishburn fortunately survived the shooting, but speaks and walks with difficulty. Jason Fishburn attended the meeting along with his father, David Fishburn who is also an officer.
“Members of the Indiana General Assembly continue to have a great working relationship with all parties involved in regards to pensions of public employees,” said Rep. Burton.
“I believe this is due to the fact we all want to ensure the people that risk their lives every day, whether it be by running into a burning building or making our community better, are protected in the long run with their well-deserved pensions.”
Members of the Pension Management Oversight Commission summer study committee primarily discussed Public Employee Retirement Funds (PERF) and Teacher Retirement Funds (TRF) during their four hour committee meeting.
Members of the State Budget Agency and representatives of several state pension organizations were also present to discuss with members the issues and concerns with current pension plans and relevant legislation that had recently passed.
“In these tough economic times, when many states are unable to fund their pension accounts, I’m proud of Indiana’s pension management oversight team in assuring that we have a sound fiscal retirement program that is funding itself.”
The committee is set to reconvene within the next few weeks.
