Retiring senators propose more generous RI pension benefits
May 7th, 2012 at 5:35 pm by Ted Nesi under Nesi's Notes, On the Main Site
Just months after the new pension law passed, two lame-duck senators want to boost some retirees’ benefits.
A proposal [pdf] put forward by state Sen. John Tassoni, D-Smithfield, would create a special defined-benefit pension only for employees in the Departments of Corrections and Children, Youth and Families. The new pension would spike in value after 30 years of employment, maxing out at 80% of salary.
In addition to probation and parole officers, Tassoni’s proposed special pension would also be available to clerk secretaries, typists, internship/volunteer coordinators and others who work in the two departments.
Another proposal [pdf], this one put forth by state Sen. Bea Lanzi, D-Cranston, would scrap the requirement that municipal police officers and firefighters wait until age 55 to become eligible for a pension, allowing them to collect one at any age. Both bills were introduced Thursday and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
Treasurer Gina Raimondo has urged lawmakers not to tinker with the state pension system after last fall’s changes. “I urge you to give RIRSA a chance to work before considering changes that might weaken its impact,” she wrote in March about another bill.
Tassoni and Frank Ciccone, D-Providence, were the only two senators who voted against the pension law last November. Lanzi voted to approve it. Neither Tassoni nor Lanzi is running for reelection.
Tags: beatrice lanzi, general assembly, john tassoni, pensions
Nesi's Notes covers politics and the economy in and around Rhode Island for WPRI.com. (Twitter: 
I wish Lanzi would take the nutty aunt ( Charlene Lima) with her.
well it same old stuff if you are leaving. Don`t let the door hit ya were the good lord split ya. or shut up sick of your name and opinion
they alredy increased plice and fire pensions in central falls, what a terrible bankruptcy for all the taxpayers!!!! Flanders another one give the money away it`s not his
It is time to cleanout that cesspool of a senate. They are anything but “honorable.” Now that the state has mounted up decades of debt liabilities, some members now want to undo the reform changes they voted in favor of last fall. Where is the creditability with these people?
This bill would do more harm than most people think. It’s already bad enough that judges and state police got a sweetheart deal in pension reform. But passage of this bill would spell doom for upholding the legality of what the state did overall.
The state’s case for reform sits on a premise that it had no choice as state finances were so dire that draconian steps could not be avoided. Making a change at this point begs the courts question: “what dire financial situation”.
Now consider this: RI will die financially if we cannot attract more private sector jobs to stabilize declining revenues. You are a business looking to expand. Do you want to trust RI as a place expand jobs? Not with these clowns!
I agree. I also think the judges and police “sweetheart deals” will doom the reform efforts.
Big surprise are all the Senators in RI scumbags?
Tassoni is a boob
I have an idea….PRIVATIZE – then it’s Social Securitys’ problem!!
Do we need Senator Lanzi’s handpicked replacement to carry on this legacy that will lead to further cuts in education and follow Central Falls into bankruptcy. As your Senator I promise to fight against this every step of the way. This is what 10 years of special interest rule of this Senate seat will get you. Vote GATELY for State Senate to protect our schools, children and our futures.
The piggishness of the Unions and the self-dealing of the legislators has no bound.
[...] One proposal by state Sen. John Tassoni, D-Smithfield, would create a special pension benefit for employees in two departments, while another by state Sen. Bea Lanzi, D-Cranston, would scrap the requirement that municipal police officers and firefighters wait until age 55 to become eligible for a pension. [...]