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Former correctional officer urges committee to advance special legislation to raise disability pension
Summary
Howard Levine, a former correctional lieutenant injured on duty in 1990, asked the Joint Committee to advance special legislation to increase his disability pension that he says has not kept pace with inflation and medical needs.
Howard Levine, a former correctional officer who retired after severe injuries sustained in a 1990 riot at the state correctional institution, asked the Joint Committee on Public Service to advance special legislation increasing his disability pension.
“On 09/03/1990, I was assaulted by 4 inmates during a riot at NCI Cedar Junction,” Levine said. He described more than a dozen surgeries, chronic pain managed with oxycodone and numerous procedures and imaging studies. Levine told the committee that he has pursued similar relief for 12 years without final action and that his pension is calculated on 1990 earnings and has not kept pace with inflation.
Levine said the legislation he seeks is similar to measures the legislature has approved for other public‑safety workers and that his family could face loss of benefits if he dies before relief is enacted. He asked committee members to “treat us as equals and give to all as you give to some.”
No committee vote was taken; the committee accepted Levine’s testimony and noted he may submit additional written material.
