Almost all retired public employees, including retired educators, have been effectively prohibited from serving in the state legislature until now. An Attorney General ruling recently changed the longstanding state retirement board’s regulation that retirees had to give up all of their earned retirement benefits in order to serve in the part-time Mississippi legislature.

I fully support this new ruling as president of the Mississippi Retired Public Employees Association. This change finally levels the playing field so that retirees can offer Mississippi voters their experience and understanding in helping to craft state laws and policies.

This change will be especially important in the field of education because until now almost all public school educators – past and present – have been effectively prevented from serving in the legislature.

The old rule made it virtually impossible for a retired educator to serve as a legislator because it meant that he or she must forfeit all of her earned retirement benefits if elected to serve as a part-time legislator with part-time pay. No one would want to do that to his or her family.

Also, current teachers, principals, superintendents and other educators working in our schools cannot serve in the state legislature today. The state constitution requires the legislature to meet every year from the start of January through much of April. Educators can’t take off three to four months in the school year, especially during months critical to teaching and student learning. Those months are when educators need to help children master critical skills and prepare them for end-of-the- year testing.

Therefore, in effect, virtually all public school educators – current and former – have been prevented from serving in the legislature.

Thankfully the barrier has been lifted. Now, Mississippi voters may have a chance to consider retired educators as candidates who believe in the importance of education and who have had first-hand experience and knowledge about children and their education. Now teachers, other educators and state retirees will be treated like everyone else if they want to run and serve in the state legislature upon retirement.

This change can even save the state money. I understand that under state law most retirees will have to give up some portion of their state salary as a legislator, if elected, even if they get to keep the retirement benefits they previously earned. The money saved will stay in the state treasury.

I believe we need more legislators who will make education a higher priority. State retirees bring a unique understanding of state government and public service which will enhance their role as legislators. That is why I fully support this change. It is fair and helpful to the whole state.

Ann Thames is president of the Mississippi Retired Public Employees Association.