Blackledge was one of the four public pensioners elected to the House after the Public Employees Retirement System Board declared it would change the rules so that public retirees can serve in the Legislature as well as draw their pension. Gunn rejected the PERS Board’s change because it was inconsistent with state law. It allows retirees to “double dip,” which means they can draw both a salary and a pension. Public employee retirees are allowed to work in government jobs while still receiving a portion of their salary under long-standing regulations and laws. Retirees would be able to serve in the Legislature, and draw a portion from their salary, under the PERS amendment. The House leadership has refused to modify its regulations so that the retirees receive only a part of their salary as legislators, which means they can’t serve in the Legislature without losing the pension. Four new lawmakers demand that the speaker asks them to quit or give up their retirement pay. Blackledge wrote in a resignation letter that he was referring to four retired public employees. “Our voters supported a change in the landscape of Mississippi politics. These voices were effectively muted by Speaker Philip Gunn. The man who should be our champion chose to be our enemy. After we were sworn into office on January 6th, he hammered the home in his private chamber. This landscape will not change. He has thus successfully blocked our right of receiving our retirement and serving and has prevented future state and county educators, leaders, and from seeking office.” She also wrote that “Spending my PERS income was unacceptable. I am a single female. I was a county administrator for more than 40 years and retired. Because one man can stop the will and vote in my district, I have to give up my right of retirement income and my right to continue my legislative service. Gunn claimed that he follows the law. He said that Phillip Gunn was not enforcing any laws. “I’m simply following the law. She did not have to resign. She can choose to continue to serve or not to receive her retirement. Blackledge was a former Jones County tax assessor. Three other public employee retirees who were elected to the House stated that they understood Blackledge’s decision but did not intend to resign. Retired educator Dale Goodin (R-Richton) said, “I’m staying right here, I’m going to win this fight.” Jerry Darnell (R-Hernado), a retired educator, stated that “I will continue to serve in my job the people elected me to do ….We hope this can work out.” Goodin claimed that the decision to stop public retirees serving in the Legislature or drawing their pension, as others can, is “excluding a group of people.” That pension has been earned. We shouldn’t be forced to give it up.” Billy Andrews (R-Purvis), a retired judge in the youth courts and county, stated that he won’t be stepping aside but admitted that he couldn’t afford to give up his pension for a prolonged period. Although there have been talks about filing a lawsuit against Andrews, that could take many years. If the case is lost, the retirees could have to return any pension funds they received during the litigation. They also suggest changing the law. However, they claim that this is unlikely as the speaker does not support them serving while drawing their pension. After former Attorney General Jim Hood’s 2018 official opinion that public retirees have the same rights to serve in the Legislature, receive partial pay as school teachers and state employees returning to work part-time at another government job, the PERS Board amended the regulations. Public retirees are allowed to return to the public sector to receive half of their full-time salary and 25 percent of their pension under existing law. The AG’s opinion stated that they should be able do the same as members of the Legislature. Randy Boyd (Republican from Mantachie) said that he supports teachers being able return to teaching part-time because there are more teachers. He stated that he doesn’t believe it right for public retirees to serve in the Legislature while drawing their pension. He said, “I believe anyone should be allowed to run for the Legislature.” “But they shouldn’t be able to draw the PERS simultaneously,” he said. Rep. Chris Bell (D-Jackson) stated that retired people have the experience and knowledge necessary for the legislative process. He said, “I hate to see people expelled who have worked so hard and won an election.” He said, “I hate to see people forced out who worked so hard and rightfully won an election.”