State Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat who’s running for governor, says a government efficiency panel appointed by Republican Governor Reynolds should drop the idea of changing the pension system for public employees.
Last week, the group Governor Reynolds asked to review state and local government operations revealed it might recommend doing away with the defined benefit plan for pensions state and local government employees receive from IPERS, the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System.
Governor Reynolds says she has not encouraged that government efficiency panel to make any specific recommendations.
Last week during the task force meeting, former Fort Dodge Mayor Terry Lutz said some compensation packages in state and local governments far exceed the private sector and he said it’s time for a comprehensive review of pay and benefits for public employees. Lutz suggested the state should shift to a pension system for future employees similar to 401 K’s that’s based largely on contributions from the worker and how well investments perform. House Speaker Pat Grassley and Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver say Republicans in the legislature have no interest in making those type of changes.
