House approves proposal for pension plan changes
by Marsha Shuler - Advocate (excerpt)

The Louisiana House endorsed Gov. Bobby Jindal’s proposal to move to a 401(k)-type pension plan for future state employees Wednesday night, amid criticism that it does not provide enough retirement security. The legislation had stalled on Tuesday after the House approved an amendment that would require new state employees on the “cash balance” plan to be enrolled in Social Security too.

On Wednesday, the House reversed course, stripping the Social Security provision, then approving the measure on a 55-45 vote. House Bill 61 now moves to the state Senate.

House Democratic leader state Rep. John Bel Edwards, D-Amite, claimed the legislation constitutionally required 70 votes — a two-thirds majority — because it added to state pension costs. Edwards said the simple majority vote subjects the legislation to a legal challenge.