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Important PERA updates

I attended the August 13 PERA Board meeting remotely today.

There are several important things that came from todays meeting.

Executive Director Doug Anderson's replacement has been chosen it's Amy Strenge who has been their Legislative policy coordinator.

Doug will be gradually phased out departing this coming November. MNCORA had a very good working relationship with Doug and we hope that continues with the new Executive Director.

Of concern- A $4.4 million error was made in PERA's annual financial report. They failed to count $4.4 million in employee fringe benefits! On page 1 of the PERA Administrative Expense History it states: 


This is in addition to the $16 million dollar discrepancy  found by the Office of the Legislative Auditor earlier this year.

Also the PERA Board decided to create an Assistant Executive Director position. This will pay $160,734 a year, Beginning tomorrow that role will be filled by Amy Strenge until she assumes Doug's position in November but this new position will exist going forward, They argue that the MSRS (State) and TRA (Teachers) plans have one. Yet they balk at adding a CO to the PERA Board that will cost nothing even though the MSRS has a CO on their Board.

On Page 3 of the PERA Administrative Expense History it shows we are now paying the State Board of Investments (SBI) over $5 million a year to invest our money which doesn't show up until last year!! (Line in green)


It is now more important than ever that we get a Correctional Officer Seat on the PERA Board!

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