A retired judge is sounding the alarm about Gov. Bobby Jindal's plan to get rid of the Office of Group Benefits. The governor said he will save the state millions, but those who get life and health insurance claim it would hurt them.
Molly Nicosia, a retired administrative law judge, said she started working part-time, filing in the Louisiana Department of Labor. When she graduated college, she said she was sold on becoming a full-time state worker.
"Part of the draw was the benefit package, not the least of which was great insurance benefits," she said.
After 20 years, Nicosia said her health forced her into early retirement. She has enjoyed those benefits for over a decade. According to Jindal, selling off group benefits could save the state $10 million, and the nearly 150,000 state workers and their dependents won't notice a difference.
"We know for a fact we'll be able to save, and we are confident through competition, working with private sectors will be better for taxpayers and it will be better for state employees," Jindal explained.
Nicosia said she's not holding her breath.
"My fear is if someone comes in and takes over group benefits, there is nothing that guarantees the money is there and that our premiums we paid is going to be there when we need it," she said.
According to Nicosia, her father, a former state worker, instilled a solid business belief in her from the time she was a child.
"We are public servants," Nicosia said. "We are there to serve the public."
Nicosia said she plans to fight the move to the end.
"I want what's coming to me. I deserve my benefits as a retiree, and I'm afraid I might have to get a job with McDonald's," she added.
State Rep. Jim Fannin, D-Jonesboro, authored the bill that would allow Jindal to use most of the $500 million Office of Group Benefits surplus to help plug the $1.6 billion state budget deficit.
Molly Nicosia, a retired administrative law judge, said she started working part-time, filing in the Louisiana Department of Labor. When she graduated college, she said she was sold on becoming a full-time state worker.
"Part of the draw was the benefit package, not the least of which was great insurance benefits," she said.
After 20 years, Nicosia said her health forced her into early retirement. She has enjoyed those benefits for over a decade. According to Jindal, selling off group benefits could save the state $10 million, and the nearly 150,000 state workers and their dependents won't notice a difference.
"We know for a fact we'll be able to save, and we are confident through competition, working with private sectors will be better for taxpayers and it will be better for state employees," Jindal explained.
Nicosia said she's not holding her breath.
"My fear is if someone comes in and takes over group benefits, there is nothing that guarantees the money is there and that our premiums we paid is going to be there when we need it," she said.
According to Nicosia, her father, a former state worker, instilled a solid business belief in her from the time she was a child.
"We are public servants," Nicosia said. "We are there to serve the public."
Nicosia said she plans to fight the move to the end.
State Rep. Jim Fannin, D-Jonesboro, authored the bill that would allow Jindal to use most of the $500 million Office of Group Benefits surplus to help plug the $1.6 billion state budget deficit.
