Georgia Governor Brian Kemp recently vetoed a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) funding measure for state retirees that would have increased their pensions. The move sparked outrage among Georgia residents, as many considered it inherently unfair that people who devoted their lives to public service should struggle during retirement.
According to WMAZ, the Georgia Legislature passed a budget that included a COLA fund for retirees, increasing their pensions by 3% this year while continuing to provide adjustments in future years. The bill was vetoed by the Georgia governor, who instructed state agencies to cut spending, including the measure, in order to align the state budget following tax cuts.
The media outlet interviewed several state retirees who are struggling to pay their bills. The median pension for state retirees in Georgia is around $20,000, a considerably low amount, and without the COLA fund, those numbers may continue to stagnate.
Georgia Residents React to COLA Funding Veto
Georgia residents on Reddit’s r/Georgia blamed the governor for the decision to veto the COLA fund. One of them said, “Vote Republican and eat dirt. I hope people vote this [expletive] out.” Another one wrote, “They have to cut taxes somehow. God, this state sucks,” referring to how Republicans often get votes by promising that taxes will be lowered, but need to stop spending money to adjust the budget.
Some folks shared stories of how the pensions in Georgia became worse over the years: “State employees used to have locked-in COLAs that happened without fail every year… Until 2009. Since then, maybe.. If the state legislature feels like it, state employees might get a so-called COLA.”
Someone else said, “I am a former state employee. Worked with a lot of dedicated people, but they will balance the budget on your back.” Others complained, “Well, working state employees got a $2,000 ‘bonus’ and no pay raise. Not giving a COLA to retirees has become a bit of a tradition in GA.”
Time will tell whether state retirees in Georgia will be able to maintain their quality of life amid rising inflation, but it is likely that this will not be the last time the issue is brought up, especially with elections coming up in November.
