April 27, 2022
SPEAKER KROWINSKI STATEMENT ON UNANIMOUS VOTE, FINAL HOUSE APPROVAL TO STABILIZE VERMONT’S PUBLIC PENSION SYSTEM
Montpelier, Vt. – Today, House Speaker Jill Krowinski issued the following statement:
“We would not be here today without hard work and creative thinking between teachers, state employees, and the legislature. It was a tough subject to take up, and I truly wish we could have avoided it as teachers and state employees navigated the pandemic on the frontlines. However, I also believed this was a moment to make real change and secure retirement benefits for our public employees for generations to come.
“I knew our vote would signal strong backing of the pension reform effort. But yesterday’s unanimous 144-0 vote, and today’s final vote of approval, far exceeded my expectations. It sends a powerful, unified message and leaves no doubt as to our support for our teachers and state employees.
“I especially want to recognize and thank the members of the Pension Task Force. This small group took on a monumental task, and through hours and hours of digging into the issue, charted a course to success. Their work gives our teachers and state employees the peace of mind that they will have their hard-earned pension when they retire, and will save millions of dollars for Vermont taxpayers in the future. This bill had overwhelming tripartisan support and I look forward to it being enacted into law.”
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