Comptroller Scanlon Applauds Final Passage Of Municipal Pension Reform Bill

Win-win deal will decrease costs for municipalities while ensuring public employees continue to have access to pensions

(HARTFORD, CT) - Comptroller Sean Scanlon applauded the Connecticut General Assembly for approving a comprehensive set of reforms aimed at strengthening the Connecticut Municipal Employees Retirement System (CMERS), the state-run pension plan for municipal public-sector employees including police officers, firefighters, boards of education, and public works employees.

The legislation, which is the result of months of dialogue and bipartisan negotiations facilitated by the Comptroller, is House Bill 6930, An Act Concerning the Development of Best Practices for Governance Structures of Municipal Retirement Plans. The House approved the bill by a bipartisan vote of 120-24. Subsequently, the bill had overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate with a vote of 34-1. It now heads to the desk of Governor Lamont to be signed into law.

"The bipartisan approval of HB 6930 proves that Democrats and Republicans can still come together to find innovative solutions to challenges previously deemed insurmountable," said Comptroller Scanlon. "I am grateful for the municipal and labor leaders who were willing to roll their sleeves up and get to work with my office to meaningfully reform the Connecticut Municipal Employees Retirement System. Together, we crafted a win-win deal that will decrease costs for municipalities while ensuring our public employees continue to have access to a pension. I applaud the General Assembly for upholding these provisions and look forward to it being signed into law by Governor Lamont."