Jun. 30, 2015

HARRISBURG – On Tuesday, Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-Northumberland/Snyder) voted in favor of Senate Bill 1, a public pension reform bill that would help preserve benefits for current retirees and the future benefits of current employees. After the vote, Culver issued the following statement:

“Today, the total debt, or unfunded liability, associated with our public pension system stands at approximately $53 billion. A healthy public pension plan should be at least 80 percent funded, and in Pennsylvania, ours are currently funded at around 60 percent. Several factors have led us to where we are at right now, but the point is, we cannot afford to continue down this unsustainable path.

“If this issue is left unaddressed, we are jeopardizing the current retiree and current employee retirement plans. Doing nothing forces the taxpayers to reach deeper into their pockets to pay more of their hard-earned money. Additionally, we risk having our state’s credit rating further lowered. We must preserve the public pension system, protect our taxpayers, and repair and improve Pennsylvania’s credit rating in order to provide long-term stability.

“The changes in the public pension plan we voted on today are projected to save the taxpayer approximately $10 billion toward the unfunded liability. I believe we need to shift the risk away from the taxpayer when it comes to our public pension system, and I remain hopeful that this reform will get us back on track to a healthy financial future. As a body, my colleagues and I have been elected to lead by example, and upon election or re-election, we will also join the new public pension system with other new hires.”

Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-Centre), has been sent to the governor for his consideration.

Visit PAHouseGOP.com for the latest public pension reform information. For more information about any other state-related issue, contact Culver’s district office in Sunbury located at 106 Arch St., by calling 570-286-5885, or toll-free at 1-800-924-9060. Information can also be found online at LyndaCulver.com or Facebook.com/RepCulver.

Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver
108th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Krisinda Corbin
717.705.2032
kcorbin@pahousegop.com
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