GERS Board Debates Bill to Elect Active Government Employees to Trustees

During their regular monthly meeting last week, members of the Government Employees' Retirement System Board of Trustees discussed draft legislation meant to change the way board members are selected.‌ Bill 35-0307, introduced by Senator Milton Potter, makes provisions for two active government employees to be elected to the GERS board, one from each district. According to GERS chair Dwane Callwood, the legislation also “establishes a mandate that all seven voting members of the Board of Trustees meet the same requirements with respect to education and work experience.”‌ “The retirees get to elect their representatives,” Mr. Callwood explained. The measure, therefore, is “just to bring some parity to the active government employees.” Some board members were uneasy with the change. Andre Dorsey felt uncomfortable with bypassing the Central Labor Council and leaving ascension to the board open to any level of government employee. He said that as written, the draft bill would allow hig...