The Supplemental Budget is now before the House Committee on Ways and Means. Since the bill addresses current spending matters, it is expected to be passed well before the annual budget takes effect in July. While the Supplemental Budget makes its way through the legislative process, the Association will be shepherding a separate companion bill through the Legislature. Since the governor's proposal does not actually get the plan up and running, further legislation will be needed. This process is not something that can be completed overnight.
Further language is needed before a plan can actually get up and running.
While the GIC works on the parameters of what the plan will consist of, we will be working with the legislature on the implementation language. It is anticipated that the bill will be filed well before the end of February. The retiree plan, while not yet established, is expected to rival that currently offered to active employees. The new legislation filed by the Association contains a section enabling the municipalities to offer the same type of coverage to their local retirees.