Legislative
issues take lots of work
In April, I speculated that we would have few legislative
successes on retirees’ issues this year. It sparked
many calls from members urging PEF Retirees not to give
up on these issues.
Don’t worry. I was not saying we gave up. I had
checked with the state Legislature and found 945 bills
written by legislators in the Assembly and the Senate
that contain the word retiree. Many of the bills are
“courtesy bills” which cover one individual,
one group or large organizations. This shows how complex
the legislative process is.
We work constantly to build support for critical
legislation affecting state retirees’ pensions (such
as bills S56775-A9889) and veteran’s benefits
(S2329-A9839). The very large number of bills that relate
to retirees shows how important it is for every member to
engage in the political process in order to achieve our
goals.
Meanwhile, PEF Retirees continue to receive phone calls
from members questioning or differing with our
recommendation that dues be paid through automatic
deduction from members’ pension checks.
If you are a member of the state Retirement System and a
retiree, you should have received the spring report from
the Office of the NYS Comptroller. It advises that the
70,000 retirees who do not use direct electronic deposit
of their pension checks to their bank accounts should do
so, as it is reliable, convenient and secure.
I agree. Retirees should use both electronic deposit and
the dues check-off privilege for the same good reasons
the comptroller cited.
In May, the PEF Statewide PAC recommended that the union
delay its endorsements of political candidates (including
those in the governor’s race) in the November
general elections until the PEF Executive Board’s
August meeting. As PEF Retirees’ representative on
the PAC, I supported that motion.
With the Early Retirement Incentive and 25/55 legislation
passed in May, more state employees will soon retire. I
am asking all PEF divisions to consider giving their
members who retire a one-year gift membership in PEF
Retirees.
Speaking of grateful goodbyes, it is time to say farewell
to John Muth, who is retiring as executive director of
the Retired Public Employees Association. It has been a
pleasure to work with John on retirees’ legislative
issues and we wish him good luck and good health in his
own retirement.
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The Communicator
July/August 2002
The Official Online Edition of
The New York State Public Employees
Federation
Inside This
Issue:
Features
ERI, 25/55 retirement
options
FAQs about ERI and 25/55
Contract Success: Schools
for the Deaf & Blind
PEF testifies on adult homes
Funding restored for youth
program
Workload hurting
nursing-home surveyors
Member works to empower
newcomers to USA
Departments
President's Message:
Mobilization forms results
You Said It:
Member Mobilization: Get
your Division mobilized
Members mailbag
Legislative Action: privacy
& parking
Health Notes: Empire Plan
enrollees counter costs
Retirees In Action:
Legislative issues homework
PEF Membership Benefits
Program &
Travel Corp: We've Moved to HQ
Union Matters
PEF PS&T members:
Contract Survey
Union honors parole officers
Four E. Board seats filled,
one at T&F vacant
PEF Scholarships Galore
NYS Museum, Archives,
Library to stay at SED
Fight Back Against
Privatization" Award Nomination Form
PEF committee targets civil
service issues
Other Links
Professional Directory
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