Sen. Leftwich Pushes Cost-of-Living Increase for Retirees

As legislative subcommittees put the final touches on the 2007 state budget, Sen. Debbe Leftwich wants to ensure retirees get a much needed cost-of-living increase. Leftwich is calling on fellow lawmakers to make sure retired state employees, teachers, police, firefighters and state law enforcement officers such as highway patrol troopers all get a cost-of-living increase.

“These are men and women who spent their entire careers in service to their fellow Oklahomans,” said Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City. “The work they did made a positive impact on the lives of countless citizens—they were there for all of us, and now we should make sure their needs are addressed.”

Leftwich said in a year of record budget surpluses, it would be a travesty not to remember these retirees.

“When the framework for the budget agreement was announced last week, there was nothing specific about any kind of COLA for these retirees,” Leftwich said. “These are individuals on fixed incomes and many of them are having a difficult time making ends meet, especially with sky-rocketing fuel prices. I just want to remind my colleagues not to forget these men and women who have each made tremendous contributions to our state when the final budget is approved.”