Co-Sponsorship Memo Details

I am introducing a bill to provide a cost-of-living increase for Pennsylvania State Troopers who retired prior to June 30, 2010.  The last COLA for state troopers passed in 2002. My bill provides a tiered increase to ensure that older retirees, those who are most in need of such assistance, receive a greater increase in their monthly payment while still providing an increase to younger retirees.

Pennsylvania has over 5000 retired troopers, of which roughly 1800 retired prior to 2000.  Note that state troopers are prohibited from contributing to, and therefore, cannot draw from Social Security.  Therefore, retirees who served their entire or most of their adult life working as a state trooper are living on only their pension, AND, again have no or little Social Security benefit to supplement their pension.  In the last 20 years, the cost of living has increased by nearly 40%.
 
In short, many of these retirees are living on income that has them just above poverty.  It is time to make this right for those who put their lives on the line and selflessly served to protect us.
  
Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation recognizing the service of our retired Pennsylvania State Police Troopers. 
 
My bill will be introduced on Tuesday, June 20th at 9:00 a.m., so please join me today in sponsoring this important legislation that will provide a long-overdue COLA for these dedicated public servants.