Retired state employees might get their first pension bonus since 2008.
The Senate Finance and Taxation-General Fund Committee approved a bill Wednesday to provide a one-time bonus, but the bill's sponsor, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, says the amount and affordability of the bonus still must be determined.
Marsh's bill would provide $2 for each month of a retiree's state service. A retiree who worked 25 years would get $600.
Democratic Sen. Roger Bedford of Russellville got the committee to amend Marsh's bill to $4 per month. He says the Legislature needs to do more for retirees. Marsh says $2 per month is about as much as the state can afford, and the issue will be addressed when the bill comes before the Senate.