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 State Sen. Jim Tracy |
The bill requires the state to end the benefits upon conviction or upon a plea of guilty of such charges if the charges are in relation to the member's official capacity as a legislator.
"There should be severe consequences for breaking the public's trust," said Tracy (R-Shelbyville). "There should be no privileges for those who have been convicted of a felony for misuse of their public office. The people deserve better than this."
Present law provides that upon retirement from the general assembly, or upon completion of a term of office, any senator or representative may elect to keep their state employees' health group insurance by paying a monthly premium. Under Tracy's proposal, that privilege wouldn't apply to any member or former member of the General Assembly who is convicted in any state or federal court of a felony arising out of the person's employment or official capacity.
In the event that a conviction is later overturned and the person is acquitted, or is granted a full pardon, then the person would be restored to all rights in regard to continuation of health care coverage, under the bill. Financial experts say the value of insurance premiums paid by the state over a twenty-five year period would be approximately $700,000.
"The General Assembly has already passed similar legislation ending legislative pensions for those convicted of a crime in relation to their official capacity as a member of the General Assembly," Tracy added. "I am pleased that this bill has been approved by our State and Local Government Committee and am hopeful that his legislation will be passed this year."
The bill now goes to the Senate Finance Committee for approval there before moving onto the floor for final consideration. It is sponsored by Rep. Charles Curtiss (D-Sparta) in the House of Representatives.
Tracy represents the 16th Senate District, including Bedford, Moore and part of Rutherford counties.
Exactly . . . most of the people who run for office are usually wealthy to begin with so why should we still be paying for them after their term is done?
If you ended that then no telling how many millions or even billions you would save and that could go to helping the average American.
Amen jaxspike...
I have always said the same thing..we work much longer than a 4 year term and all we get is medicare which pays next to nothing and can't even get that until you turn 65.
Another thing is why do they continue to get paid after they leave office. If I leave my job they don't pay me??
Why should we pay for any of them after they leave their office . . . once their term(s) is over then they should be require to pay their own health insurance.
That is just more money going out of our pockets . . . .