Representative Todd M. Smola (R-Warren, Ranking Member, Committee on Ways & Means) has been selected to serve on a special commission to review the decision of the Supreme Judicial Court in Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission v. Edward A. Bettencourt. House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) selected Representative Smola for the post. He is one of four state legislators named to the commission.
Created
as part of the Fiscal Year 2017 state budget, this special commission is
charged with making recommendations, including proposed legislative amendments
to Massachusetts state law relative to the state retirement and pension
systems. He will be joined by designees from the Attorney General, the State
Treasurer, the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association, the Public
Employee Retirement Administration Commission and the Retired State, County and
Municipal Employees Association of Massachusetts.
“Representative
Smola has a strong understanding of the state’s pension laws, having previously
served as a member of the Joint Committee on Public Service,” said Representative
Jones. “The knowledge he brings to the
table will be an asset to the special commission as it reviews the state’s
existing forfeiture law and considers potential pension reforms to recommend to
the Legislature.”
“This
court case raised a number of important questions about how we maintain
government accountability in Massachusetts; while at the same time protect the
legal rights of individuals,” said Representative Smola. “I appreciate the
confidence that Representative Jones has placed in me to serve in this
capacity. I look forward to working on the commission and proposing reasonable
reforms that help to promote fairness and responsibility."
The
commission will make a report of its recommendations no later than March 1,
2017.
