Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Petersburg assembly unanimously backs resolution supporting return to defined-benefit pensions
Loading...
Summary
After hours of public testimony, the Petersburg Borough Assembly voted unanimously April 13 to adopt a resolution backing House Bill 78 as originally written prior to a recent amendment, citing recruitment and retention concerns for teachers and public employees.
The Petersburg Borough Assembly on April 13 voted unanimously to approve a resolution urging the state to restore a defined-benefit retirement system for public employees and educators, citing local recruitment and retention challenges.
Members voted to amend the resolution to specify support for HB 78 “as written prior to Amendment 1,” a change that was proposed and adopted before the final vote. The measure passed with no opposed votes.
The resolution followed extensive public comment. “I’m kindly asking you to support the resolution in front of you today,” Molly Tyber said, urging the assembly to oppose a recent amendment she described as shifting risk onto employees and local employers. Tim Shemoy, who identified himself as representing the Associated Teachers of Petersburg, told the assembly the current PERS 4 and TERS 3 defined-contribution tiers have hampered teacher retention and left public employees without Social Security coverage. He said the bill’s original design included employer–employee cost-sharing and, before recent changes, would not have increased local employer costs.
Supporters argued the resolution is a local signal to Juneau. Robin Taylor, superintendent of the Petersburg School District, said the district previously passed the same resolution at its March meeting and continues to back the original bill language. Phil Hofstetter, CEO of Hughes Pro Medical Center, said he will also send a letter in support and noted workforce stability benefits tied to defined benefits.
Assembly members framed the vote as an expression of local concern rather than a binding state action. Member Mucci — who moved the amendment specifying the version supported — said the assembly’s purpose is to inform legislators about the bill’s local impacts. The assembly’s unanimous vote follows similar measures passed by other municipal governments and emphasizes the borough’s interest in seeing the legislature address retirement-plan design and funding concerns.
Next steps: The resolution will be transmitted to state lawmakers and the governor’s office; the assembly did not take further local policy action beyond the resolution.
