FOP responds after Senate refuses take action to increase COLA for public safety retirees

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) - The Oklahoma Fraternal Order of Police expressed its frustrations Monday after no action was taken to increase the cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, for public safety retirees.

The vice president of the FOP, Mark Nelson, released a statement shortly after the state Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee's refused to hear House Bill 2304, which would have provided a 4-percent COLA increase for retirees.

“Retired police and firefighters are desperate because they have not received a COLA in 11 years, (during) a time when inflation has risen 26-percent. The brave men and women who served our communities deserve some help,” he said. “The House overwhelmingly passed a plan to give retirees a boost without requiring any additional state revenue. If the Senate disagrees with HB 2304, they should propose a different funding formula instead of ignoring the plight of public safety retirees.”

Nelson said the House of Representatives quickly voted 98-3 to pass the bill and move it on to the Senate.

"They (the state Senate) didn’t put it on the agenda and adjourned today without even hearing the bill," said Nelson. "The reasons and excuses are getting old. There has to be something done."

"Several years ago, over a decade ago, all the pension systems in the state were very poorly funded because COLAs were given without being funded. That was done on a regular basis. Now, we’ve gone on an 11 years without a COLA being given. We’re just asking for this one time."

"The cost of living has gone up 26-percent in the last 11 years and they (retirees) are living on what they made 11 years ago. A 4 percent COLA every 11 years by no means is going to make anyone wealthy."

Nelson said that if the retirees are given an increase, it won't affect taxpayers.

"It doesn't cost taxpayers a penny--no new taxes, no new fees associated with them. All of the systems can absorb this one-time COLA at 4 percent with extremely minimal damage. It's a win for taxpayers. It's a win for retirees and a win for elected officials to be able to take care of both the taxpayer and public safety officers and firefighters who spent 30-plus years giving their lives to the community," he said.

Nelson said the increase will help retirees with their day-to-day cost of living expenses.

"It will help with things like gas, groceries and health insurance, which has sky-rocketed. They just need a little assistance," said Nelson.

Nelson said the FOP plans to continue to push for change and an increase.

"This was a very disappointing event today," said Nelson. "But, we’re not going to give up."

"We’re going to encourage our members to continue to call our elected senators and ask them to help them with COLA and a bill that can provide them with some assistance."