Governor Baldacci Calls for Repeal of Government Pension Offset

Press Release

Governor John Baldacci joined Congressman Tom Allen, Congressman Michael Michaud, legislators and supporters to call for the repeal of the Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision Thursday afternoon at the Hall of Flags. Representatives from Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins were also at the press conference, showing bipartisan support from Maine's Congressional Delegation for the repeal.

The Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision were originally developed to keep the very wealthy from unnecessarily dipping into Social Security. Over time, nearly 400,000 people including teachers, firefighters, social workers and police officers are losing Social Security benefits they should be entitled to receive.

"We all support the effort to repeal these very erroneous rules and, frankly, they're siphoning money off from Mainers," said Governor Baldacci. "You work your whole life and at retirement age they all of a sudden tell you because of these rule changes we're going to take two-thirds of your retirement and we're going to leave it in a treasury in Washington."

Earlier Thursday, a joint resolution was presented in the Maine House and Senate by Rep. Seth Berry (D-Bowdoinham) calling on Congress to end the Offset and Windfall provisions. The bill in Washington has more than 300 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives and 30 in the Senate.

"Maine is one of fourteen states where back in the 70s and early 80s this designation was made," the Governor said. "It's denied the state those resources in terms of our economy. Can you think of what several billion dollars a year would be doing to Maine's economy? How many restaurants, how many hotels, how many businesses, what would be happening in our community. Why should it be because you live in Maine that you should be disaffected?" Governor Baldacci thanked the leadership of the Congressional delegation and the state Legislature for putting the issue front and center for the people of Maine.

Source