State Rep. Zach Grady Talks Teacher Pay and PERS Reform
Final Week of Legislative Session in Mississippi
As the legislative session in Mississippi approaches its final week, state lawmakers are working to finalize bills that could have significant impacts on the state’s residents. With the session scheduled to end on Easter Sunday, the pressure is on for representatives and senators to come together and address key issues affecting wallets, families, and communities.
State Rep. Zach Grady joined WLOX’s Hugh Keeton to discuss what is at stake and what might be approved during this critical period. The session has already seen some challenges, with lawmakers needing to return last year after the holiday to complete the budget. This year, the focus remains on ensuring a balanced budget while addressing various pressing concerns.
Grady noted that communication between the House and Senate is strong heading into the final week of the session. He described the current phase as a “conference or conference weekend,” which should provide a clearer picture of what the final budget will look like. Despite the positive outlook, Grady acknowledged that the process may not be without conflict.
Balancing the budget means prioritizing certain initiatives over others, and several key issues are on the table. These include potential teacher pay raises and changes to the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). Grady emphasized that while there are costs associated with each proposal, the goal is to find a balance that benefits all parties involved.
One of the most anticipated developments is the potential approval of a teacher pay raise. Grady expressed confidence that a raise would be approved, noting that teachers deserve the increase. While the initial proposals varied, with the House suggesting a $5,000 raise and the Senate offering a $6,000 raise over three years, negotiators have reached an agreement to fund a $2,000 raise. This decision comes after the Senate voted to adopt the agreement, with the House set to make its decision soon.
However, not all proposals have been met with enthusiasm. Changes to PERS retirement age have sparked strong opposition from first responders in the state. Last year, lawmakers increased the retirement age to 35 years of service, a move that many find unacceptable. First responders are pushing for the age to be lowered back to 25 years, which was standard just 16 years ago.
Grady, who has a background in law enforcement, shared his personal experience with the changes to PERS. He recalled driving a patrol car in 2011 when the retirement age was raised to 30 years. Since then, efforts to lower it have been ongoing, but the recent changes have been met with disappointment.
Despite these challenges, Grady believes that the good communication between the House and Senate can lead to meaningful reforms. He mentioned discussions with senators Delano and Sparks about lowering the retirement threshold and implementing other Tier 5 fixes. One of the key goals is to establish a dedicated revenue stream for PERS.
The House proposed using a portion of mobile sports betting revenue to fund PERS, but Grady acknowledged that passing this proposal may be difficult given the fast-changing gaming industry. While the bill did not pass this year, he hopes it will be reconsidered in the future. However, he also expressed concern about the rise of prediction market platforms that could affect consumer behavior.
In addition to PERS, Grady discussed the lack of GCRF funds allocated to Coast projects in the last two years. He shared encouraging conversations about potential GCRF projects and highlighted the importance of various funding sources such as GOMESA and Tidlands. Grady emphasized the need for continued dialogue and collaboration to ensure that coastal communities receive the support they need.
