Mississippi

Legislative watchdog report focuses on financial sustainability of Mississippi PERS

Published

2 years ago

May 24, 2023

Legislative watchdog report focuses on financial sustainability of Mississippi PERS

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) -A legislative watchdog report is again looking at the financial stability of Mississippi’s Public Employee’s Retirement System, known as PERS, and it shows changes are needed.

There are always a lot of eyes and ears open when there are conversations about the health of the public retirement system and any potential changes.

“It’s absolutely vital that we protect the retirement system,” said Sen. David Blount, one of two senators appointed to serve on the PERS advisory board. “This isn’t just for state employees. It’s for city employees, county employees, school teachers, and folks who work in school districts and community colleges. We have a legal obligation to our retirees to protect their retirement.”

The PEER report shows that as of last June, all three of the PERS plan’s funding policy metrics reached red signal-light status. But it shows the board’s approved employer contribution increase of 5 percent would put all three back into the green. That increase was delayed from taking effect till July of next year. But the increase raised a red flag of its own. The Hattiesburg Mayor has called it an unfunded mandate.

“For us as cities and counties and school districts, one we want to see this issue dealt with and to either slow or reduce the employer contribution before it hits us next July 1st because our taxpayers in our school districts and cities and counties will feel that,” said Mayor Toby Barker in February. “But secondly, we need an honest adult conversation about what happens to PERS long term.”

Retirees like Sam Valentine, a former PERS board member, say the system does need to be strengthened but makes this note.

“Don’t think that the retirees should have to bear the burden by a reduction in benefits,” noted Sam Valentine. ”And that’s one of the things that might be considered a reduction in benefits. All retirees were told this is what you’ll receive after you retire. And it’s certainly their expectation that they’ll have that benefit for as long as they draw retirement benefits.”

Another issue is that there’s a smaller ratio of public employees to retirees now, meaning less folks paying in.

PERS Executive Director Ray Higgins said in a statement: “Overall, we feel the PEER report is an accurate review, consistent with previously published PERS data and information. We appreciate the work of the PEER committee and the importance of PERS to the state of Mississippi.”

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Related Topics:Featured PEER PERS Retirees Retirement

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Mississippi

10-week-old baby missing in Mississippi, MBI investigates

Published

3 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Press Room

HOLCOMB, Miss. (WMC) -The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is searching for 10-week-old baby A’marion Nason of Holcomb, Mississippi. The baby was last seen on Thursday, December 19, at about 7:17 a.m. near Powell Road in Grenada County.

10-week-old baby missing in Mississippi, MBI investigates(Mississippi Bureau of Investigation)

A’marion Nason may be accompanied by Anthony Rayshun Mitchell, who is described as an African-American male, 5’6 inches tall, weighing 178 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

A’marion Nason may have personal items that include a black and orange Nike onesie, as well as a blue, black, and orange cap.

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Mississippi

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science inviting guests to attend dinosaur exhibit before departure – SuperTalk Mississippi

Published

11 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Press Room

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science inviting guests to attend dinosaur exhibit before departure – SuperTalk Mississippi

The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science will soon be welcoming a new exhibit, but for now, visitors can continue to take a trip back in time to the prehistoric age and enjoy present offerings.

Before welcoming the “Mindbender Mansion” exhibit to the facility at Lefleur’s Bluff in Jackson, central Mississippians and science enthusiasts from across the state have just over two more weeks to enjoy “Dinosaurs Around the World: The Great Outdoors.”

Per museum officials, visitors are invited to embark on a globetrotting expedition around the world to discover the Age of Reptiles before the exhibit closes. This outdoor and indoor exhibit features 11 animatronic dinosaurs alongside.

Photo courtesy of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

Attendees will see animatronics such as the mighty T. rex of North America, the bi-pedal predator Herrerasaurus, one of the first dinosaurs to appear on Earth, and the bizarre, bony-crested Oviraptor from Mongolia. This exhibit will be up and running until January 5.

Then, the museum will transition into a new phase of educational presentations with “Mindbender Mansion,” an eclectic space filled with brainteasers and interactive challenges running from January 18 through May 4. The goal is to test the brainpower and problem-solving skills of guests of all ages.

“It’s more for solving puzzles and challenges. It’s also math, science, and technology-based. So if that’s your thing, or if your grandchild or children are really into that, it has huge educational content all woven into the exhibit,” Mississippi Museum of Natural Science Foundation Chair LoRose Moore said on Good Things with Rebecca Turner.

Visitors are invited to join the “Mindbender Society” by gathering hidden clues and secret passwords scattered throughout the various thematic rooms of the house soon to be located within the museum. The clues and passwords are revealed by solving select brainteasers and group challenges.

The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday’s operating hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the museum being open on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for senior citizens, $6 for children ages 3-18, and free for those under 3 years old. Annual membership passes can be purchased for individuals for $50 and $100 for families.

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Mississippi

Tips to know before traveling Mississippi for the holidays

Published

19 hours ago

December 19, 2024

Press Room

Tips to know before traveling Mississippi for the holidays

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – It’s a week before Christmas and travelers are hitting the interstate for the holidays.

According to AAA, over 119 million people are expected to travel, of which 107 million will travel by car.

Mississippi Highway Patrolman Landon Orozco says lower gas prices are one reason you’ll see more cars on the road this holiday season.

According to AAA, the price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Mississippi is between $2.30 and $2.50.

Orozco also says reparation is key when it comes to getting to your holiday destination safely.

“Make sure your vehicle is in order and operational. Make sure your tires are checked, make sure your fluids are checked and your oil is checked,” said Orozco. “Make sure you have everything you may need. Pack some extra snacks just in case you do run into the occasional traffic here and there as you travel across the states and to your destination.”

You are urged to dial *47 in an emergency or 511 for road conditions

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