Broadcaster Press 7 January 26, 2016 www.broadcasteronline.com Strengthening The South Legislature Looks Again At Welfare Drug Testing Dakota Retirement System A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard: Over the last several years, various states have been considering pension reform to address funding shortfalls. Some have looked at increasing employee contributions. Others have considered raising their retirement age or lowering benefits. Pennsylvania is now attempting to deal with $50 billion in unfunded pension obligations and a funded status of only 60 percent. Their plan is to make cuts that will affect current workers’ retirement benefits. According to the Milliman Public Pension Funding Study, which evaluates the largest 100 pension funds in the nation, some plans are faring even worse than Pennsylvania’s – Indiana Teachers at 50 percent funded, Chicago Municipal Employees Pension at 42 percent, Connecticut State Employees at 41 percent, Illinois State Employees at 37 percent and, worst of all, the Kentucky Employees Retirement Fund at 25 percent. South Dakota is among the states considering pension reform this year, but unlike other governments, we aren’t experiencing a crisis. In fact, South Dakota’s Retirement System is consistently among the best- funded retirement systems in the nation. We measure our funded status at the end of each fiscal year. As of June 30, the South Dakota Retirement System was 104 percent funded. Virtually all government employees in South Dakota fall under the South Dakota Retirement System. This includes all public school teachers in our state, all public university professors and employees, all state employees, and many county and city employees – all under the S.D. Retirement System. Third grade teachers in Canton, snowplow drivers in Mobridge, social workers in Winner, university professors in Madison, police officers and firefighters in Rapid City – all in the one plan. At its December board meeting, the SDRS Board of Trustees unanimously approved a new retirement design for new public employees who begin work after June 30, 2017. The new design accommodates longer life expectancies, adds variable hybrid benefits and eliminates inequitable subsidies. Those who fall under the new design will not be subsidizing members of the current design. Both designs will be self-sustaining. Unlike reforms in other states, this change will not affect current employees – not now, and not when current employees retire. It will not impact those who are already retired. And this change will not require additional contributions from employees or employers. The Board’s recommendation is under consideration by the Legislature this session. I am proud of how we have responsibly managed the South Dakota Retirement System. Thanks to the conservative management of the Retirement System Board of Trustees, the outstanding performance of the SD Investment Council, and the cooperation and support of all stakeholders, our pension plan is sound. I am equally proud that we are considering reforms now, when we are in a position of strength. South Dakota is not waiting for a crisis to tackle this issue. We’re taking this on now so the benefits of our future teachers, social workers and firefighters remain secure. South Dakotans act with responsibility and with foresight. As some would say, “It’s how we roll.” ? Smile. If You Read This... You Know Advertising Pays! By Delivering The Argus Leader In Vermillion! Deliveries Are Early Mornings 7-Days-A-Week. Earn Up To $900 Per Month. Ask Us About Our $150 Sign-On Bonus After 90 Days. Contact Don At 605-331-2261 By Bob Mercer State Capitol Bureau PIERRE – Two state legislators from western South Dakota want adults to submit at once to mandatory testing for illegal drugs when they apply for welfare benefits from two food programs. The applicants would pay for the urine tests, which would cost $25 to $30, according to Rep. Lynne DiSanto, R-Rapid City. DiSanto, a first-term lawmaker, is prime sponsor of HB 1076 that was formally introduced Thursday afternoon in the House of Representatives. An applicant found to be under the influence of an illegal drug at the time of the test would be barred from the two welfare programs for one year. DiSanto said Sen. Betty Olson, R-Prairie City, brought the concept to her. DiSanto agreed to be the lead sponsor in the House and Olson planned to start the bill in the Senate. That changed and DiSanto became the prime sponsor. The legislation hasn’t been assigned yet to a House committee for its first hearing. Olson confirmed that DiSanto originally wasn’t intended to be the prime sponsor. “It’s all my fault,” Olson said Thursday afternoon. “She’s catching a lot of grief for it.” The concept of mandatory drug testing for potential welfare recipients isn’t new in the Legislature. Six similar bills were filed during four of the annual sessions since 2010. None passed. The version this year would affect eligibility for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. They provide food aid to lower-income households. DiSanto said parents would have to find other avenues for food assistance if they flunked the drug tests. She said the penalty wouldn’t affect children’s Medicaid eligibility. Asked why she thought this time might turn out different, DiSanto replied, “I don’t know if anything will make a difference this year.” DiSanto said “thousands of people” have contacted her through emails, telephone calls and social media. “The large majority are in favor of this bill,” she said. Olson said the testing would be performed when adults visit state Department of Social Services offices to apply for food assistance. State child-services personnel would need to be prepared to get children out of the home as soon as possible when an applicant failed. “This is just to clean up the neighborhood and protect the children,” Olson said. See who’s making some noise tonight. Entertainment Section The Vermillion School District is accepting applications for the following position: Part-Time Custodian at the Vermillion High School. Qualifications: Must pass criminal background check. Job Description: Clean and get building ready for the following day. 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