Zweifel, Dixon support felony rule for public pensions

Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel voiced his support of a state Senate bill by Sen. Bob Dixon, R-Springfield, that would prohibit public employees convicted of certain felonies from collecting a pension.

Senate Bill 823, co-sponsored by Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, would stop public employees from collecting taxpayer-funded pensions if they have been convicted of a felony directly in connection with that job, according to a news release from Zweifel's office.

"SB 823 reflects our duty to protect and safeguard the public trust," Dixon said in the release. "The public expects and deserves principled and conscientious service, and public employees are held to a high standard.

"When those employees commit criminal acts in connection with their employment, we cannot permit them to receive the benefit of public pensions funded by hard-working Missouri taxpayers."

Zweifel said under current law, public employees in certain retirement systems could still collect a pension even if convicted of a felony such as embezzling public funds.

The state treasurer also is working with Rep. Tony Dugger, R-Hartville, on House Bill 1217, a similar bill which would prohibit pension advance schemes in the Show-Me State, the release said.