CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A breakfast Thursday morning at the state Capitol will be aimed at reminding lawmakers of efforts needed to be taken to assist retired public employees who are struggling under the current system.
The West Virginia Coalition of Retired Public Employees will host the annual breakfast in the Capitol Cafeteria, with the goal of talking about policy ideas like exempting Social Security benefits from personal income taxes and an increase in the cost-of-living pension.
“The breakfast give us a good way to invite the legislators and the Governor’s office, in the past, to come down and tell us how they feel about when we might or will we ever get the exemption on our pensions or if we’ll ever get a COLA, or if we can just get some kind of relief that we can put into our pockets so that we can afford to pay the PEIA premiums,” said Ernie Terry, spokesman for the coalition.
Terry added Gov. Jim Justice is unable to attend this year’s event.
The body represents multiple retirement organizations, as well as the state chapters of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees; Communication Workers of America; National Active & Retired Federal Employees; American Federation of Teachers, and National Education Association.
The breakfast is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.