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Go ahead, pinch yourself, you’re not dreaming……it’s true!
This is one great bill that will significantly help officers and
their families at a time of serious financial need. SB-2559, a
bill to provide officers with disability benefits passed with a
unanimous vote in both the Senate and the House of
Representatives and signed by the Governor Barbour making it
law. Make it a point to see or call your Senator and
Representative. Inform them that you’re a law enforcement
officer and PBA member, that you are aware of their vote on this
very important bill and that you appreciate their support.
The legislation establishes a disability trust fund that will be
supported from the proceeds of an assessment on citations and
criminal fines. The legislation gives authority to establish the
trust fund and begin the assessments effective July 1, 2005. The
disability benefits will be available disabled officers
effective July 1, 2006. The benefits were deferred for one year
to allow time for the trust fund to build to a level capable of
providing the benefits.
An officer injured in the line on duty, resulting in disability
will be eligible for a benefit of 34% of their base salary while
disabled, for up to twelve months. This benefit is in addition
to any Worker Compensation benefits which are approximately 66%
of the base salary. The ultimate goal of the legislation is to
provide a disabled officer with 100% of his/her base salary
during disability for up to twelve months. This legislation will
also eliminate the need for officers to expend all of their sick
leave, vacation leave, comp-time, etc in order to continue
drawing a full pay check while disabled.
The legislation was initiated by Mississippi PBA, requesting
Senator Gray Tollison of Oxford, Ms and State Representative
Eric Robinson of Quitman, Ms to introduce the bill in the Senate
and the House. The bill introduced in the House died in the
House Appropriations Committee. The bill introduced in the
Senate SB-2559, passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee
and was then passed by the full Senate with a unanimous vote.
The bill was then transmitted to the House for consideration. It
was approved by the House Appropriations Committee and went on
to pass the House of Representatives by unanimous vote.
Capwiz a computerized legislative service recently implemented
by PBA was a very active part of the lobbying effort for this
legislation. Many of you received email alerts regarding this
legislation and many of you took action by sending email
messages supporting it to your elected representatives. This was
effective and made a great difference, believe me your voice was
heard. If you did not receive these legislative alerts and would
like to, please send you email address, name and agency to
mspba@bellsouth.net .
CapWiz gives PBA the ability to accomplish several tasks vital
to effective lobbying;
Alerting members about legislation of interest and informing
them of the effects of the proposed legislation.
Enabling members to easily have their voice heard by their
elected representatives on issues, by sending email messages in
support or opposition of proposed legislation.
Keeping members updated on the progress and status of bills
throughout the legislative process.
It is imperative that PBA members be involved in the lobbying
process for our efforts to be successful. Our objective in the
legislative process is to initiate and support legislation which
improves the work environment and benefits of law enforcement
officers and to raise the standards of the profession. We will
also take strong position of opposition to legislation that is
adverse to this objective.
Help PBA to help you. If you’re not a PBA member join and get
involved, if you’re already a member make sure you are involved.
PBA is the voice of law enforcement and through it your voice
will be heard. This is not an opinion based on what we say we
are going to do, it’s a fact based on what we have already done!
The record of Mississippi PBA speaks for itself.
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