Online campaign for PERS angers GOP lawmakers

JACKSON -- Many lawmakers -- mostly Republicans -- were fuming mad Tuesday over an online campaign that had teachers and other public employees and retirees ringing their phones and filling their email inboxes with complaints over a vote they took last week.

Legislators said the online group has twisted the facts to rile up government workers and retirees. Workers and retirees were already angry over recommendations from a study group former Gov. Haley Barbour created that recommended an overhaul of the Public Employee Retirement System to keep it financially sound. South Mississippi lawmakers said they have spent hours reassuring constituents they are not out to cut retiree benefits.

Sun Herald
2/21/12