Judge rules state retirement plan unconstitutional
Published 2:55 pm Thursday, January 24, 2013
BATON ROUGE (AP) — A Baton Rouge judge has ruled Gov. Bobby Jindal’s 401(k)-style retirement plan for future rank-and-file state workers unconstitutional.
State District Judge William Morvant sided Thursday with the Retired State Employees Association of Louisiana, agreeing that the law wasn’t properly passed by lawmakers because it didn’t get a two-thirds vote.
Jindal, who was out of town, issued a statement saying he is disappointed, believes the bill was constitutionally approved and plans to appeal Morvant’s decision.
The bill created an investment account similar to a 401(k) plan for state employees hired after July 1, 2013, instead of a monthly retirement payment based on salary and years of employment. It’s called a “cash balance” retirement plan.
During the last legislative session, House Speaker Chuck Kleckley ruled the bill didn’t need a two-thirds vote.
Gov. Bobby Jindal. (Associated Press)
