Big House majority backs return to state helping towns with pension costs

CONCORD — To the surprise of many, a bill to restore a portion of the state contribution toward the retirement costs of school teachers, police officers and firefighters carried the New Hampshire House of Representative on Wednesday by the convincing margin of 267 to 83.

House Bill 413 would require the state to pay 15 percent of the employer contribution beginning in fiscal year 2018. After contributing 35 percent toward the pensions of school teachers, police officers and firefighters since 1967, the state trimmed its share to 30 percent in 2010, to 25 percent in 2011 and eliminated it altogether in 2012.

The margin of the vote in the House followed was not expected after the bill won the endorsement of the House Executive Departments and Administration Committee by a single vote — 10-to-nine— as the committee divided largely along party lines. Moreover, the Republican leadership of the House opposed the measure and Governor Chris Sununu, after indicating he was open to restoring an unspecified portion of the state contribution, did not include funding for it in his budget.

Laconia city manager Scott Myers estimated that the city and the school district would be spared $240,000 and $300,000 in retirement costs respectively if the bill becomes law. The New Hampshire Municipal Association estimates that the return to school districts in the Lakes Region would be about $86,200 in Alton, $70,600 in Barnstead, $215,3000 in Gilford, $55,100 in Gilmanton, $196,700 in Inter-lakes, $144,000, in Moultonbrough, $202,300, in Newfound, $216,400, in Shaker Regional, $212,000 in Winnisquam Regional and $140,000 in Franklin.

Read more: http://www.laconiadailysun.com/newsx/local-news/101994-house-votes-to-restore-state-share-of-pensions