Democrats on the committee strenuously objected to reconsidering HCR 42, the measure to block a 1 percent COLA for state retirees, today - after it was rejected on a 13-5 vote after a full hearing yesterday. "This is a complete ambush today," said Rep. Anne Pasley-Stuart, D-Boise. "I believe this is a very partisan move and I'm very distressed that such a thing is happening. We were sent here to work on issues, not play politics. We heard tremendous testimony yesterday. And yet obviously they were not contacted. I don't see the PERSI board here, I don't see Mr. Drum here. We received no notice. Some of us in this room have been acting in good faith and in fair dealing, and today we had the rug pulled out from under us and I very much object. This may be legal but I think it's highly unethical."

Committee Chairman Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, said he has a new actuarial report showing that the state retirement system isn't performing well after all. "The number of retirees ... are going up, the revenue to the fund is not keeping up with the benefits, and yet here was are talking about giving a cost of living increase," Loertscher said. "It is part of the equation that will cause contributions to go up." He said, "The performance of the fund has not kept pace with the demands on the fund." Rep. Erik Simpson said, "We should have got this information provided to us yesterday."

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