Anti-government think tank targets our pension

MEMBERS
Anti-government think tank targets our pension

The Texas Public Policy Foundation, a well-funded and powerful anti-government think tank based in Austin, held a “policy primer” on October 25 as part of a growing mobilization to attack public employees’ pension benefits. The TPPF released its document “Reforming Texas’ State & Local Pension Systems for the 21st Century” at the forum. One of the featured speakers was Bill King, a corporate lawyer from Houston who has started a business group whose goal is to eliminate public employees’ pension plans.

The TPPF proposal directly attacks the core of our pension systems. It was written for the TPPF by Arduin, Laffer, & Moore Econometrics (Arthur Laffer created the “Laffer Curve” economic theory). The authors state that “When a state or local government provides a defined benefit pension, the state is creating a government entitlement program. Entitlement programs violate the criteria of sound budgeting principles.”

Other excerpts and their recommendations follow. The entire text of this document is available on the Healthcare / Pensions page of TSEU’s web site.

“Simply put, defined contribution plans are more appropriate for the modern workforce” (p. 7)
“The government compensation is designed to reward risk-averse behavior that keeps employees in the public sector and discourages people from transitioning between the public and private sectors.” (p. 7) [that is, defined benefit plans reduce turnover, and high turnover is good]
“If a hard freeze of Texas’ public pension systems is not desired, then Texas should implement . . . a soft freeze.” (p. 20)

A little about the Texas Public Policy Foundation
Their mission statement:
“The Foundation’s mission is to promote and defend liberty, personal responsibility, and free enterprise in Texas . . .”
Notable staff/leaders:
Chair: Dr. Wendy Lee Gramm
Chair emeritus: Dr. James Leininger (also a major funder)
Directors include: Arlene Wohlgemuth and Talmadge Heflin
Senior fellows include: Grover Norquist and Arthur Laffer
web site: www.texaspolicy.com

TPPF’s pension plan recommendations

Step 1: Freeze the defined benefit (DB) plan to all new and unvested public sector employees.
Step 2: All new or current unvested employees transferred to a defined contribution (DC) plan.
A) DC plan should meet average standards of a large private sector DC plan.
B) Attributes can include (rates should be actuarially verified)
i. No minimum length of service requirement for eligibility in the DC plan
ii. Participation in DC plan permitted on hire
iii. Non-matching contributions of up to 6.0 percent of pay immediate eligibility
iv. Employer match up to a set percentage of pay immediate eligibility
Step 3: Implement either hard freeze or soft freeze of system for current vested employees
A) Under a hard freeze, benefits earned at the time of the freeze honored
i. No public employee able to accrue new benefits.
ii. All vested public employees transferred to DC plan for any additional benefit
B) Under a soft freeze, the benefits for vested employees continue growing
i. Vested employees choose between staying in the DB system or switching to the DC system.
ii. Benefits, employee contributions, and COLAs should be altered so that the DC system is favored by most workers.
a) Raise employee contribution rates
b) Extend the salary period used for determining retirement benefits
c) Increase the age and service requirements for eligibility
d) Implement greater controls over post-retirement COLAs
C) Retirees will maintain their current benefits with changes to COLAs
If you have any questions, contact MIKE GROSS in the Austin TSEU office at 512.448.4225

For more details contact:
MIKE GROSS
in the
AUSTIN TSEU OFFICE


www.cwa-tseu.org



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Fwd: Call today to Protect Our Pension Plans

Subject: Call today to Protect Our Pension Plans

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION
EMAIL BROADCAST UPDATE TO MEMBERS  


OPPOSE HB 2506

House Bill (HB) 2506, by Rep. Warren Chisum, converts our ERS pension plan to a mandatory defined contribution ("DC") plan for all state employees who are hired after August 31, 2012.  Defined contribution plans are similar to 401-k plans: they eliminate any guaranteed pension and force each employee to depend on the stock market and their own investing decisions for their retirement.

Nationally, the shift from defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans has left millions of Americans facing insecurity and even poverty in their retirement years. At best, the plans produce fewer benefits at higher cost according to several studies. Only two states currently have DC pension plans for state employees. Two other states, Nebraska and West Virginia, have dropped DC plans and gone back to traditional pension plans.

This bill will have a hearing on Tuesday, April 26, in the House Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services committee.

What to do:
Call your legislator and/or members of the Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services Committee as soon as you can.

If your legislator is not on the committee, ask him/her to contact the members of the committee to OPPOSE HB 2506.

Here some talking points if you talk to a member of the committee or their staff:
* I am a member of the State employees Union and a constituent in your district.
* I want you to oppose and vote against HB 2506, the state employee defined contribution pension bill.
* This bill will be a disaster for state employees and will make it harder for the state to attract and retain qualified employees.
* Only two other states have defined contribution pension plans, and two states abandoned the idea as a failure.

The members of the committee are:
Rep. Vicki Truitt, R - Southlake (Tarrant County), Chair:  512-463-0690
Rep. Rafael  Anchia, D - Dallas, Vice Chair: 512-463-0746
Rep. Charles "Doc" Anderson, R - Waco: 512-463-0135
Rep. Brandon Creighton, R- Conroe: 512-463-0726
Rep. Ana Hernandez Luna, D - Houston: 512-463-0614
Rep. Ken Legler, R - Pasadena: 512-463-0460
Rep. Barbara Nash, R - Arlington:512-463-0562
Rep. Rob Orr, R - Burleson: 512-463-0558
Rep. Marc Veasey, D - Fort Worth: 512-463-0716.
To find out who your legislators are, go to Who Represents Me: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/


Please send an email to Derrick Osobase, TSEU Legislative Director (dosobase@cwa-tseu.org) after you call and let us know who you called and what the response was.

Information & resources:
TSEU web site: Information sheet on defined benefit/ defined contribution plans: go to our home page, www.cwa-tseu.org, browse to "Health Care & Pensions"

CWA Public, Health Care, and Education Workers web site: pension resources
http://www.cwapublicandhealthcare.org/sites/cwapublic/index.php/pages/pension_resources

CWA Public, Health Care, and Education Workers web site : Benefit Crisis in the Public Sector
http://www.cwapublicandhealthcare.org/pages/pensions

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Fwd: TSEU News Alert: Senator Duncan finds money for state employees' health care and pension systems

Subject: TSEU News Alert: Senator Duncan finds money for state employees' health care and pension systems
Reply-To: <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION / CWA LOCAL 6186
News Alert: Senator Duncan finds money for state employees' health care and pension systems On Wednesday, April 13th, Senator Duncan laid out his recommendations to the full Senate Finance committee regarding state employees' healthcare and pension plans. Senator Duncan has worked diligently with all the employee groups to ensure state employees were not harmed by the current budget situation. While explaining his rationale to the Finance committee, Senator Duncan acknowledged that state employees had taken a significant hit increases ($141 million) on the healthcare side in September, and his intentions were to maintain the current benefit plan intact. His plan included a combination of increases in revenue, reductions in cost trends for healthcare, and other cost savings initiatives to maintain the current plan structure. Breakdown of assumption made to fund GBP: $128 million in baseline adjustment to more accurately reflect plan participation and restoration of roughly $50 million for the "Tiered coinsurance" rider that after further review showed no real savings. $100 million addition to help the health care cost trend An anticipated reduction in ERS health care cost trend from 9.1% to 8.17% Application of the proceeds of the Tobacco user surcharge Savings anticipated from ERS dependent coverage audit and provider efficacies Ongoing savings from $148 million cost shift (health care increases) that began on September 1st Potential cost savings resulting from ERS developing and offering a Medicare Advantage Plan for eligible ERS retirees. (Note: Although TSEU accepts the framework of this plan, this provision specifically is of concern and we will be working with ERS, legislators, and getting member feedback to ensure retirees aren't harmed though implementation of such a program. ) Retirement: Through some legislative changes and increase in revenue, the state would contribute 6% in FY2012 and 6.5% in FY2013. For the 20-year retirement fund, the state would increase its contribution in 2013 from 0 to .5%. This development is a major step in the right direction. All the state employee advocates and groups worked on this issue to ensure a better outcome on the healthcare and pension plan for state employees. We encourage TSEU members to call Senator Duncan's office and thank him for his hard work and finding more funding state employees' health care and pension plans. District Office (806) 762-1122 Capitol Office (512) 463-0128 Update on HB 3168 – Eliminating Longevity Pay for state employees and judges (Pay Cut Bill) Pressure is working, Author slows the bill down. It was anticipated that Callegari, the author, of the HB 3168 (Pay Cut Bill) wanted to pass his bill out of committee this week. Close friends of TSEU in the legislature said Rep. Callegari didn't expect such a large backlash and is considering postponing the vote on the bill. We must continue to put pressure on members of the calendar's committee and Callegari's office to pull down the bill. We need more calls into legislators and calendars committee members. Please refer to the 4/13/11 update for the names and numbers of members. Legislative Budget Board gives bill negative score report: Highlights of the impact statement Plan would reduce average salaries by $2,500 ERS would have to make additional payments to anyone who retired earlier Plan would encourage employees who are eligible to retire to do so in lieu of taking a pay cut. Resulting in ERS experiencing a $150 million loss, which would increase their unfunded liability by $ 150 million.	For more details contact: DERRICK OSOBASE TSEU AUSTIN Office 512.448.4225 www.cwa-tseu.org
To add/remove your name to/from the list for these broadcasts: <CLICK HERE> You must be a TSEU member .Put "subscribe me" or "unsubscribe me" in the subject line Put your full name and work location in the text of the email .Note: this address is only to subscribe to the TSEU broadcast network. For other issues contact your nearest TSEU OFFICE

 

Fwd: TSEU Legislative Update: Lobby Day 2011, great job! Now what?

Subject: TSEU Legislative Update: Lobby Day 2011, great job! Now what?
Reply-To: <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION / CWA LOCAL 6186
		For more details contact: DERRICK OSOBASE or MIMI GARCIA TSEU AUSTIN Office 512.448.4225 www.cwa-tseu.org Join the TSEU urgent action network It will not be over on April 6. The all-out struggle over the state budget and other issues will continue. One way to make a difference is to members all around the state who are ready to call/write/email legislators at a moment's notice. Ready to take part? Send an email to TSEU Legislative Director Derrick Osobase: Put "urgent action YES" in your subject line.
TSEU Legislative Update April 12, 2011 In this Issue: TSEU Lobby Day: Great Job! Now what? State worker Furlough Bill Pending in Committee Representative Callegari attacks longevity pay! Alert: Be on the watch for a Survey by Texas Public Employees Association Appropriations Committee Chair: Rep. Jim Pitts 512-463-0516 Vice Chair: Rep. Sylvester Turner 512-463-0554 Members: Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock 512-463-0684 Rep. Angie Chen Button. 512-463-0486 Rep. Warren Chisum. 512-463-0736 Rep. Myra Crownover. 512-463-0582 Rep. Drew Darby. 512-463-0331 Rep. Dawnna Dukes. 512-463-0506 Rep. Craig Eiland. 512-463-0502 Rep. Helen Giddings. 512-463-0953 Rep. Lance Gooden 512-463-0458 Rep. Scott Hochberg 512-463-0492 Rep. Eric Johnson 512-463-0586 Rep. Susan King 512-463-0718 Rep. Dee Margo 512-463-0728 Rep. Armando Martinez 512-463-0616 Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon 512-463-0708 Rep. Doug Miller 512-463-0325 Rep. Geanie Morrison 512-463-0456 Rep. John Otto 512-463-0570 Rep. Diane Patrick 512-463-0624 Rep. Debbie Riddle 512-463-0572 Rep. Charles Schwertner 512-463-0309 Rep. Mark Shelton 512-463-0608 Rep. Raul Torres 512-463-0484 Rep. Mike Villarreal 512-463-0532 Rep. John Zerwas 512-463-0657                     Calendars Committee Chair: Rep. Todd Hunter 512-463-0672 Vice Chair: Rep. Dennis Bonnen 512-463-0564 Members: Rep. Dan Branch 512-463-0367 Rep. Garnet Coleman 512-463-0524 Rep. Byron Cook 512-463-0730 Rep. Charlie Geren 512-463-0610 Rep. Jim Keffer 512-463-0656 Rep. Tracy O. King 512-463-0194 Rep. Lois W. Kolkhorst 512-463-0600 Rep. Eddie Lucio III 512-463-0606 Rep. Allan Ritter 512-463-0706 Rep. Eddie Rodriguez 512-463-0674 Rep. Burt R. Solomons 512-463-0478 Rep. Vicki Truitt 512-463-0690 Rep. John Zerwas 512-463-0657	TSEU LOBBY DAY 2011: GREAT JOB! Now what? Wednesday, April 6, 2011 was the biggest Lobby Day in the history of TSEU. Working in coalition with Texas Forward, the Texas Organizing Project, and various CWA locals across the state as well as several other unions, the press reported nearly 5,000 people came to the capitol to demand better for the people of Texas. TSEU members met with over 151 state legislators to discuss concerns over the state budget, increased costs for to health care and pensions, and attacks on State Supported Living Centers, the Texas Youth Commission, and state services. Our fight for a better Texas is gaining momentum, but the fight is far from over. The Texas Senate is expecting to vote the budget out of the Finance committee this week, with minimal improvements over the house version. The budget will be brutal for the people of Texas, even if the entire Rainy Day Fund was used. We have the opportunity to build the real infrastructure to change budget outcomes for years to come, but only if we seize this moment now. We need to keep the heat high on the legislature right now, and you can make this happen. Organize! It is imperative that the politicians understand that this movement is fueled by a constantly growing organization of people who have demonstrated their commitment to fight back no matter how long it takes. Your friends, colleagues, and office mates need to join you in the fight by joining their union. .Mobilize! The "Stop the Cuts" post cards should be going to every member of the legislature by the thousands, daily. Everyone you know should send in a card and get the people they know to send it in too. .Get your local governments to oppose the budget. When the state fails to fund programs, often cities and counties are left with the bill. Go to your local county courts and city councils and ask them to pass resolutions against the drastic budget cuts. Contact Mimi Garcia at TSEU at mgarcia@cwa-tseu.org for more information.     TSEU opposes the furlough bill in appropriations committee, while another employee group takes no position and thanks the author for provisions with bill State worker furlough bill pending in committee On April 7th, the House Appropriations Committee heard HB 2720 by Chairman Pitts which gives authority to state agency and university executives to institute a furlough program. Although the bill only gives state agencies the authority and doesn't mandate furloughs, the implications of such a program would inevitably have long term negative effects on the state workforce. When agency or university workers are furloughed, the work they complete does not go away. Workers are expected to complete the same level of work with less time and fewer resources. The increased pressure to complete the same job functions in less time with decreased salary will create significant increases in employee turnover and decreases in worker productivity. Furloughs of employees in revenue-generating agencies will cost Texas money in lost revenue. In California, where a three-day per month furlough was implemented, tax revenue losses from reduced tax collection were $363 million. Disruptions of state services have a larger impact on the broader economy in Texas. Loss of productivity will include delays in business licensing, longer waiting periods for social and protective services, and hazardous food safety from decreased inspections. In Hawaii, where state worker furloughs have been in effect since July 2010, restaurant health inspections have been reduced dramatically as a result of the furloughs. The Texas Public Employees Association took "no position" on the bill. In their representative's testimony, he thanked the author of the bill for not making the furlough program mandatory for putting provisions within that protect retirement and health care benefits. He went on to say, that some state agencies would have to exclude some workers because the nature of their jobs and the savings from such a program would be minimal. TSEU's Legislative Director, Derrick Osobase testified against the bill. Here is a full testimony: We respectfully oppose HB 2720, which gives agencies the ability to institute a furlough program. Firstly furloughs are counter- productive to state agencies core functions, which is to serve the public. Furloughs have been shown to hurt productivity of workers, by forcing agencies and employees to complete the same tasks with less time and fewer resources. The consequences of the implementation of such a program will result in thousands of state employees leaving the state workforce because workloads would be unbearable and the drastic pay cut (12%) in salary to state employees, that would be impossible to absorb. For an employee making the median salary of about $36,000 a year, if this plan was implemented, employees could be looking at $360 reduction in pay per month. We should remember what happened in 2003 when the legislature passed HB 2292 in efforts to save the state money. We directed HHCS to privatize eligibility services. Four thousand state employees were given their pink slip, and were told that they were no longer needed. Thousands of state employees left the state for other jobs or retired. Months later the privatization scheme failed miserably, over 100,000 kids were kicked off CHIP (the state's health care program for children) and other Texans experienced long delays in getting services. Without state employees there to provide these critical services, we could possibly repeat what happened during that time. By ERS's own information we have about 18,000 state employees currently eligible for retirement. This bill will have them running to the doors. Furloughs will also make it extremely difficult for state agencies that are already having trouble attracting and retaining qualified state employees (in our SSLC's 31%, TYC 23%, and CPS caseworker 25%). And this is occurring while the state is experiencing one of the worst recessions in history. We understand the pressures on this committee to come up with savings. But furloughing state employees will only hurt the delivery of services and will equate to additional cut to services Any short term saving will surely be outweighed by the delays in services most Texans will surely experience and by rehiring cost brought on by the massive exodus by state employees. House bill 2720 remains pending committee. TSEU will be working with friends on the committee to stop the bill. What can you do: We must step up our efforts to delay this bill in committee. With the other state employee group deciding to sit on the sidelines and praising provision within a bill that is designed to place more work on employees, for less pay, it is up to TSEU members and state employees who think this is bad policy to stand up. Call members of the Appropriations Committee TODAY (see list in left column) Tell/Ask them: State employees are against any furlough program. HB2720 will hurt our ability to provide quality and timely state services to Texas families. Turnover in many of our state agencies is dangerously high; furloughing state employees will make it even harder to attract and retain qualified employees. HB 2720 will equate to just another cut in services. Will you oppose HB 2720?     Rep Callegari attacks longevity pay! House Bill 3168 by Callegari will eliminate longevity pay as compensation for all state employees and replace it with merit pay. TSEU opposed this bill in committee, but unfortunately most of the members on the committee have expressed support for this bill. We anticipate this bill will be voted out of committee this week. TSEU will work with members of the calendars committee to delay this bill and stop it from coming to the floor of the house. What can you do: We need to get calls in to members on the calendars committee. Call members of the Calendars Committee TODAY (see list in left column) Tell/Ask them: I oppose eliminating longevity pay for current and future state employees. Longevity is an incentive that keeps good employees on the job. Even in a recession, state agencies are experiencing high turnover. Eliminating longevity pay will only exacerbate this problem. Longevity pay ultimately save sthe state money by rewarding state employees who dedicate their careers to public service and reducing rehiring costs for state agencies. Will Representative _____ oppose eliminating longevity pay for state employees and commit to keeping this bill off the floor? What is Longevity Pay? Full-time employees are eligible to receive longevity pay after two years of accrued state service credit. Eligible employees are paid $20 per month for every two years of lifetime service credit and will receive longevity pay increases after each additional two years of service, up to and including 42 years of service. YEARS OF SERVICE and MONTHLY LONGEVITY PAY . Less than 2 years - $0 . Greater than 2 and less than 4 years - $20 . Greater than 4 and less than 6 years - $40 . Greater than 6 and less than 8 years - $60 . Greater than 8 and less than 10 years - $80 . Greater than 10 and less than 12 years - $100 . Greater than 12 and less than 14 years - $120 . Greater than 14 and less than 16 years - $140 . Greater than 16 and less than 18 years - $160 . Greater than 18 and less than 20 years - $180 . Greater than 20 and less than 22 years - $200 . Greater than 22 and less than 24 years - $220 . Greater than 24 and less than 26 years - $240 . Greater than 26 and less than 28 years - $260 . Greater than 28 and less than 30 years - $280 . Greater than 30 and less than 32 years - $300 . Greater than 32 and less than 34 years - $320 . Greater than 34 and less than 36 years - $340 . Greater than 36 and less than 38 years - $360 . Greater than 38 and less than 40 years - $380 . Greater than 40 and less than 42 years - $400 . Greater than 42 years - $420 Longevity pay helps the state retain skilled and qualified state employees. The majority of state agency employees make under $50,000 a year. State employees haven't had a pay raise in almost five years; longevity is the only increase in salary that state employees can count on. Overall salaries of state employees have eroded and due to cost increases in health care and the pension contribution, we've seen our take home pay further reduced.     Alert: Be on the watch for a Survey by Texas Public Employees Association We've got it from reliable sources that TPEA may be sending out an employee survey regarding health care cost. We urge our members and other state employees not to participate in this survey. Last session TPEA sent out a survey to state employees regarding our pension plan. They used the results from that survey in public legislative hearings to endorse HB 2559 that resulted in the reduction of pension benefits for current and future state employees. Some of the provisions within the bill made it harder to return to work after employees retired, raised the active employees' contribution to the pension fund, and weaken the rule of 80. State employees and retirees have seen the purchasing power of their pay checks and annuities eroded over the last decade, without equitable pay raises or adjustments in annuities. We have also seen our health care costs skyrocket making harder for state employees, retirees, and our families to absorb the costs. State employees didn't cause this budget crisis and we should not have to be the ones to bear the burdened either. When things were good and the state's budget ran surpluses neither employees nor retirees got cost of living raises or supplemental funding to offset health care costs. Surveys that suggest state employees have to pick between bad and worse choices are unacceptable. All state employees and groups that represent them should resist all efforts by lawmakers to force us to choose which cuts are acceptable. Because the real truth is that state employees have taken hits to our pensions, health care, and pay. We should all be stand together to hold the line on what we still have and not be willing to bargain away our benefits to have a seat at the table. Say no to more cuts to our health care. Join the TSEU urgent action network The fight did not end April 6th! The all-out struggle over the state budget and other issues will continue. One way to make a difference is to members all around the state who are ready to call/write/email legislators at a moment's notice. Ready to take part? Send an email to TSEU Legislative Director Derrick Osobase, dosobase@cwa-tseu.org: Put "urgent action YES" in your subject line.
To add/remove your name to/from the list for these broadcasts: <CLICK HERE> You must be a TSEU member .Put "subscribe me" or "unsubscribe me" in the subject line Put your full name and work location in the text of the email .Note: this address is only to subscribe to the TSEU broadcast network. For other issues contact your nearest TSEU OFFICE

 

Fwd: 5000 = success for Lobby Day/Save Our State rally

Subject: 5000 = success for Lobby Day/Save Our State rally
Reply-To: <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION / CWA LOCAL 6186
5000 = success for our Lobby Day / Save our State rally Organizations, sponsors or organizers that participated Texas Forward Coalition: co-sponsored the march and rally CWA Local 6215 (Dallas): 6 buses + 50 more who drove Texas Organizing Project (Dallas, Houston, & the Valley): 6 buses League of Young Voters (Prairie View A&M, Texas Southern, Univ of Houston): 4 buses CWA Local 6222 (Houston): 2 buses CWA Local 6201 (Fort Worth): 1 bus Texans Together (Houston): 1 bus Teamsters Union (Dallas): 1 bus State Rep. Sylvester Turner (Houston): 2 buses State Rep. Joaquin Castro (San Antonio): 1 bus State Rep. Mike Villarreal (San Antonio): 1 bus Others: Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, CWA Local 6151 (Verizon statewide), American Federation of Teachers (from several cities), Amalgamated Transit Union, Texas Impact, CWA 6139 (Beaumont), Steelworkers (Texas City &Tyler), CWA 6127 (Midland), Education Austin, AFSCME/CEC (prison workers union), SEIU (Houston & San Antonio), CWA 6129 (Harlingen), Planned Parenthood (McAllen), Teamsters (San Antonio), Sheet Metal Workers Union (Beaumont)	Statewide coalition is a grassroots movement against the cuts 5000 Texans marched from Waterloo Park to the Texas Capitol last Wednesday. Most visited their legislators after the rally. The message was loud and clear. TSEU members and thousands of other Texans are mad, determined, and committed. Various estimates at attendance were from 3000 to 5000. It sent a strong, clear message to legislators that they have to find better answers than to slash funding for state services and education, and that Texans want them for forget about furloughs, pension cuts, health care cuts, and layoffs for state employees. Around half of the people there were TSEU members, co-workers, family, and friends. Thousands of others were there because they understand that the budget cuts will hurt all Texans. The Save our State mobilization was united on four key points: Cancel the cuts. They will hurt all Texans Use the Rainy Day Fund. Maximize federal funds. Increase revenue Press coverage, photos, video: go to the LOBBY DAY PAGE of the TSEU website Go to the link on TSEU's web site for: press coverage including newspapers, on-line news blogs, and TV coverage photos of the rally / TSEU video footage / The site will be updated daily. Also, stay in touch with our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/CWA.TSEU What to do now: Don't bask in the warm glow – turn up the heat! It will take a lot more than one big rally to turn the Texas Legislature around. We have to move quickly to make sure that this is a sustained push. The pressure in the Legislature to slash the state budget, with state employees taking a big part of the hit, is still extreme. Even if the Senate version of a budget dominates final product, it will still be a disaster for all Texans, particularly state and school district employees. Get your co-workers off the sidelines– sign them up into the union today. It is imperative that the politicians understand that this movement is fueled by a constantly growing organization of people who have demonstrated their commitment to fight back no matter how long it takes. Get thousands of post cards. They send a real message if there are enough of them. Contact your TSEU committee member, organizer, or any TSEU office for details and materials. Get a resolution! Get your city or county government, chamber or commerce, PTA, or other group to take a stand against the cuts. TSEU has information on what the cuts would mean for every county in the state. Contact your TSEU committee member, organizer, or any TSEU office for details and materials	For more details contact: MIKE GROSS TSEU AUSTIN OFFICE 512.448.4225 www.cwa-tseu.org
To add/remove your name to/from the list for these broadcasts: <CLICK HERE> You must be a TSEU member .Put "subscribe me" or "unsubscribe me" in the subject line Put your full name and work location in the text of the email .Note: this address is only to subscribe to the TSEU broadcast network. For other issues contact your nearest TSEU OFFICE

 

Fwd: Tomorrow is the last day to vote! Bob Stewart for ERS Board.

Subject: Tomorrow is the last day to vote! Bob Stewart for ERS Board.

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION
EMAIL BROADCAST UPDATE TO MEMBERS  

Share this message with colleagues and friends
Last day to vote is Friday, April 8.

We need another ERS Board member who will stand up for us!

        Voting in the ERS Board of Trustees election ends tomorrow. With proposals to cut state employees' benefits flying around the Texas Legislature, we urgently need another ERS Board member who is willing to stand up to the politicians and push hard for the interests of state employees and retirees.
        Bob Stewart will be that Board member. If we get him elected, he will join Yolanda ("Yoly") Griego on the Board. Last year, Yoly was the only one of the six ERS Board members who voted against the increases in co-pays and other out-of-pocket costs to employees. Like Bob, Yoly was elected as the TSEU candidate.

VOTE ON-LINE TO MAKE SURE YOUR VOTE IS COUNTED

1. You will need your ERS Identification Number to vote!
Your identification number is on your Blue Cross/Blue Shield HealthSelect card.
To use the number on your card:
        delete the letters in front of the number
        add two zeros at the end (for 11 digits total)
example:what's on your card: HXR001234567        the number you need to vote: 00123456700
For information about your ERS ID number, call (512) 867-7711 or (877) 275-4377.

2. Go to the ERS web site: http://www.ers.state.tx.us/home/default.aspx

3. Click on "Vote in the Board election"

4. Follow the prompts

For more on our candidate, go to the ERS page on TSEU's web site:
http://www.cwa-tseu.org/PUBLIC/ERS_TRS/elections_ERS_TRS.html

******************************************************************************
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To contact TSEU for more information or for materials:
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Fwd: TSEU Legislative Update: House moves Texas backward in budget bill

Subject: TSEU Legislative Update: House moves Texas backward in budget bill

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION / CWA LOCAL 6186
		For more details contact: DERRICK OSOBASE or MIMI GARCIA TSEU AUSTIN Office 512.448.4225 www.cwa-tseu.org
What can you do to stop the cuts and pressure lawmakers to do right by Texans 1. Come to the Save our State Rally on Wednesday, April 6th. 2. Get Organized! If you are member of the Union, become active. If you are not, join us and help us fight back these attacks on public services and state employees. 3. Call your legislators and tell them this budget doesn't reflect Texas values. Ask them to take a balanced approach to the budget that includes generating revenue and using the entire rainy day fund.	Join the TSEU urgent action network It will not be over on April 6. The all-out struggle over the state budget and other issues will continue. One way to make a difference is to members all around the state who are ready to call/write/email legislators at a moment's notice. Ready to take part? Send an email to TSEU Legislative Director Derrick Osobase: Put "urgent action YES" in your subject line. House moves Texas backward in budget bill Recap of the Budget and how we got here Texas entered the 82nd legislative session with an estimated shortfall of nearly $27 billion. Through a series of cuts in the supplemental bill (H.B. 4) and the decision to use $3.1 billion from the Rainy Day Fund (H.B. 275) last Thursday, the remaining shortfall has been lowered to about $24 billion for the coming biennium. While the shortfall is related to the reduced sales tax collection during the recession, it is not the sole contributing factor. A structural deficit that was created when the legislature passed a property tax cut it couldn't pay for in 2006 has led to a shortfall of $10 billion every biennium, Tax exemptions for big Corporations untouched, while Republicans feast on the elderly, Texas students and the indigent Debate on committee substitute to HB 1 began on Friday, April 1st; unfortunately it wasn't April fools on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives. The Republican majority chose to cut deep, and threatening the infrastructure of Texas by reducing funding by 21% to public education and higher education, eliminating the Texas Grants financial aid program for incoming college students and reducing nursing homes' funding by 33%. Some estimates have up to 80 % of the nursing homes in Texas closing due to the cuts. The Legislative Budget Board (the state's non-partisan body that analyzes the budget and its impact) also estimates that this budget would eliminate over 355,000 public and private sector jobs in the next two years. State agencies that deliver crucial services took big hits to their budget for the next two years. These cuts most certainly will negatively affect agencies abilities to deliver quality and timely services to Texans. Medicaid is by far the largest health care program in the state. It accounts for over 25% of the Texas budget. HB 1 cuts funding for Medicaid by $ 4.7 billion for FY 2010-11 levels, and is $13.7 billion shy of requested funding to account for enrollment growth and cost increases. Texas already ranks 49th in per capita spending on Medicaid, barely offering the basic services to those eligible. Other cuts in HB 1 assume that two state hospitals will be privatized. One State Supported Living Center will be closed, while funding for community services for those with intellectual disabilities are cut by 33%. Programs Eliminated under HB1 for Public Education * Pre-Kindergarten early start and early childhood school readiness grants * Advanced Placement Incentive Program * Texas Reading, Math and Science Initiatives * Tuition Credit Program * Library Resources Community college employees currently receive funding at 83% of premium insurance rates. However because community college employees are considered local employees, rather than state employees, funding has been altered to match the local ISD rate of $75/month for each eligible employee. Due to funding strategy change that took place in committee, HB 1 was changed from the original version directing the closure of 4 community colleges across the state to zero. Overall funding for incarceration in the TDCJ budget has been reduced by 5.9%. This will result in significant staffing cuts, decreases in institutional security, and hinder the provision of appropriate physical and mental health care. HB1 also assumes the closure of the central unit in Sugarland, TX, which is anticipated to generate $31 million. But this will reduce the state's correctional capacity and will lead to more than 250 correctional jobs lost. Parole supervision in the FY 2010-11 budget was directed to maintain a parole supervision ratio of no more than 75 releases per parole officer. This rider was deleted because reductions in HB 1 would make that ratio impossible to maintain. In HB 1 funding was restored for parole supervision, but the rider was not. The cuts to TYC are substantial, and will result in the loss of about 500 jobs statewide. Also, HB 1 assumes up to 3 facilities closures. The majority party played shell games all day on Friday targeting worthwhile initiatives that have proven to save the state money. Through the amendment process, Republicans purged funding from the Family Planning Program, which consults and provides medical treatment for women. Republicans such as Rep. Zerewas, the HHSC appropriations subcommittee chairmen talked highly of the program in committee, but said nothing when amendment after amendment was offered by his Republican colleagues stripping funding from this program. Ultimately, this left the program with just enough funds to pull down the federal match. The majority party voted down many attempts by Democrats to attached amendments to HB1 that would lessen the severity of the cuts. Such as amendment 106 by Gallego; it would have appropriated more funding in fiscal year 2012 which would have averted cuts in that fiscal year allowing time for the economy to get better and adjust funding for 2nd year in a supplemental appropriations, this amendment was tabled by Republicans. Others like it also failed to make it on to the bill. GOOD Amendments to HB 1 Amendment 31- Instructs the comptroller to conduct a tax preference study to evaluate and determine the purpose of each tax preference; make recommendations; and report conclusions of the study. The report will include a thorough explanation of each of the comptroller's recommendations and proposed legislation necessary to implement the findings of the study. Amendment 33, by Burnam – Instructs the comptroller to conduct a study of the tax exemption or reduction in certain high cost gas. The study will include an estimate of the loss of revenue, an assessment of the intended purpose of the provision and whether the provision is achieving that objective and a recommendation for retaining, eliminating or amending the provision. Amendment 34, by Gallego – The comptroller is required to prepare and transmit to each member of the legislature for each fiscal year of the 2012-2013 biennium a monthly report identifying the amount of collections of general revenue-related funds by source. The report will also include the cumulative amount of general revenue-related funds by source to date and the total amount estimated to be available for the fiscal year in the comptrollers January 2011 biennial revenue estimate for 2012-2013. If any changes or updates are made to the estimate, the monthly report must include the amount and source of the adjustment. Amendment 35, by Villarreal – The amendment would require the comptroller to provide a revenue estimate to the legislature, which will include all materials traditionally in a biennial revenue estimate. During the past interim, it was evident that the state was facing a large budget shortfall, but the Legislature and the public were unable to prepare for the shortfall until the comptroller issued her BRE at the beginning of the session. Advance notice of the state of the state's finances allows legislators to plan ahead for future shortfalls Amendment 51, by Turner – Sweeps $1.1 million from the Disability Issues strategy within the office of the Governor and redirects the funds to Intermediate Care Facilities-MR. Amendment 53, by Turner – Redirects all funds for the Texas Enterprise Fund and the Emerging Technology Fund to the Foundation School Program. Amendment 54, by Y. Davis – Redirects all appropriations made to the Texas Enterprise Fund to the Student Success Initiative administered by TEA. Amendment 55, by Marquez – Redirects $15,000,000 from the Texas Enterprise Fund to fund children's preventive health care in border areas. Amendment 57, by Y. Davis – Reduces funding for the Texas Enterprise Fund by $90 million over the biennium. $60 million would go to the Texas Workforce Commission's Skills Development Program to train at least 15,000 additional workers, and $30 million would go to Employment and Community Services for public private partnership with employers. Amendment 58, by Y. Davis – Adds a rider to C.S.H.B. No. 1 for the Trusted Programs within the office of the Governor which would prohibit expending funds in the Texas Enterprise Fund and require them to be immediately transferred to the employment and training investment holding fund. Amendment 59, by Marquez – Dedicates $1,109,128 of funds appropriated for Economic Development and Tourism for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 to the Wyler Aerial Tramway at Franklin Mountains State Park. Amendment 60, by Castro – Reduces funds for the Texas Emerging Technology fund by $70 million and redirects it to Early Childhood Intervention Services. Amendment 61, by Castro – Reduces funds appropriated to the Texas Emerging Technology fund by $90,000,000 and redirects it to Student Financial Aid Programs. It further increases a rider dedication for Student Financial Aid Programs to the Tuition Equalization Grant Program to a new total of $107,308,202. Amendment 91, by Crownover – Creates a rider in which DADS will require that prior to the transfer of an SSLC patient, the new care provider must certify to DADS that it can provide the treatment and care as specified in the resident's individualized treatment plan. Inserts a paragraph at the end of rider providing that DADS will monitor the health and wellbeing of the residents moved from the SSLC to community care following the closing of the SSLC. DADS is required to track the provision of health care for former residents and provide a report to the LBB and Governor by the last day of the fiscal year. Amendment 92, by Kolkhorst – Creates a rider in which DADS will require that prior to the transfer of a State Supported Living Center (SSLC) patient, the new care provider must certify to DADS that it can provide the treatment and care as specified in the resident's individualized treatment plan. DADS would be required to track the provision of health care for former residents and maintain easily accessible records that document the health outcomes and mortality rates of these residents as well as cost saving realized per resident. States that, if a SSLC is closed, another cannot be closed until a health outcome/mortality study is completed and provided to the Legislature. Amendment 94, by Naishtat – CONTINGENCY – Revenue generated upon the passage of HB 1317 -- or similar legislation that collects business and sales taxes from currently exempt online retailers based in Texas -- shall be appropriated to DADS for community attendant services. Amendment 95, Naishtat – CONTINGENCY – Revenue generated upon the passage of HB 1317 -- or similar legislation that collects business and sales taxes from currently exempt online retailers based in Texas -- shall be appropriated to DADS, for primary home care. Amendment 101 by Walle – Creates a rider requiring a report on the average hold time and call abandonment rate for Texans reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The rider states that the Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) shall work toward reaching numerous performance targets, including: hold times that do not exceed eight minutes in length and a call abandonment rate that does not exceed 25%, and daily caseload targets for child protective and adult protective services caseworkers. (Passed) BAD Amendments to HB 1 Amendment 377, by T. King – Provides that during the 2012-13 biennium a state agency may not fill a position of an employee that is vacant on, or becomes vacant after, September 1, 2011. It prohibits diverting funds from any other purpose for use for salary, wages, or benefits for any position. It directs the comptroller to deposit any unexpended money for salary, wages, or benefits back to the account from which the money was appropriated. It stipulates that a state agency only fill a vacant position if filling the position is necessary to prevent or help an emergency (Passed) Amendment 371, by Paxton – Reduces the salary of persons under Salary Schedule A, B, C, or a person in a exempt position in the Dept. of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services who earn more than $60,000 by 5% for fiscal years 2012 and 2013. The General Revenue Savings generated by this would be appropriated as follows: (1) an additional 10 million for fiscal year 2012 and for 2013 to the Early Childhood Intervention Program. (2) 3 million to the Autism Program for fiscal years 2012 and 2013, (3) Removes appropriation to the State Highway Fund No. 006 and increasing funds to the General Revenue funds to $5,938,292 for fiscal years 2012 and 2013. (Withdrawn- with strong Bi-Parisian Opposition/TSEU worked with legislators) Amendment 375, by V. Taylor – Reduces the annual wages and salary appropriated for wages and salaries to each employee for fiscal year 2012 and 2013 by 5%. (Withdrawn with strong Bi-Parisian opposition/TSEU worked with legislators) Amendment 376, - CONTINGENT RIDER on HB No. 2720 or similar legislation being enacted allowing the state to furlough employees, the money appropriated for employee wages and salaries for fiscal years 2012 and 2013 is reduced by amount equal to three days wages or salary for each employee. (Withdrawn- TSEU worked with legislators to kill this amendment) Amendment 377 – Provides that during the 2012-13 biennium a state agency may not fill a position of an employee that is vacant on, or becomes vacant after, September 1, 2011. It prohibits diverting funds from any other purpose for use for salary, wages, or benefits for any position. It directs the comptroller to deposit any unexpended money for salary, wages, or benefits for an back to the account from which the money was appropriated. It stipulates that a state agency only fill a vacant position if filling the position is necessary to prevent or help an emergency. (Withdrawn) Amendment 378, by Torres – Amends the number of FTEs in Riders to zero for fiscal years 2012 and 2013. (Withdrawal) Amendment 38, by Raul Torres – The appropriations to the Employee Retirement System rider is amended by requiring that the system provide active and retired state employees in the Group Benefits Plan with an option to establish a health savings account in lieu of participation. Any savings that result from the optional establishment of health savings accounts by employees will be appropriated to the Texas Education Agency, Foundation School Program-Equalized Operations. Funds are already difficult to find in Texas, and appropriating dollars to an inefficient form of care is not prudent. . (Withdrawal- TSEU worked with legislators to kill this amendment) In his speech in opposition to HB 1, Rep. Joaquin Castro of San Antonio said "that he has never seen the type of fiscal cannibalism that took place on House floor in the years he's been there." The Republican majority chose Sunday evening to threaten the lives of the senior citizens of Texans and broke the promise to our Texas children to provide a quality and affordable education. The majority's approach to this budget went past political rhetoric of fiscal conservatism, it cut essential services to the most Texans in need, while protecting and fortifying the position of corporations and special interest groups. The refusal of the leadership and majority to use any of the rainy day fund or re-examining 30 year tax exemptions that can not be justified continuing under the state's current financial circumstance, only highlights the republicans' loyalties and priorities. And it is not to the citizens of Texas. House Bill 1 Vote Count Totals: 98 Yeas, 49 Nays, 2 Present, not voting Yeas - Aliseda; Anderson, C.; Anderson, R.; Aycock; Beck; Berman; Bohac; Bonnen; Branch; Brown; Burkett; Button; Cain; Callegari; Carter; Chisum; Christian; Cook; Craddick; Creighton; Crownover; Darby; Davis, J.; Davis, S.; Driver; Eissler; Elkins; Fletcher; Flynn; Frullo; Garza; Geren; Gonzales, L.; Gooden; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardcastle; Harless; Harper-Brown; Hartnett; Hilderbran; Hopson; Howard, C.; Huberty; Hughes; Hunter; Isaac; Jackson; Keffer; King, P.; King, S.; Kleinschmidt; Kolkhorst; Kuempel; Landtroop; Larson; Laubenberg; Lavender; Legler; Lewis; Lyne; Madden; Margo; Miller, D.; Miller, S.; Morrison; Murphy; Nash; Orr; Otto; Parker; Patrick; Paxton; Perry; Phillips; Pitts; Price; Riddle; Ritter; Schwertner; Scott; Sheets; Sheffield; Shelton; Smith, T.; Smith, W.; Smithee; Solomons; Taylor, L.; Taylor, V.; Torres; Truitt; Weber; White; Woolley; Workman; Zedler; Zerwas Nays - Alonzo; Alvarado; Anchia; Burnam; Castro; Coleman; Davis, Y.; Deshotel; Dukes; Dutton; Eiland; Farias; Farrar; Gallego; Giddings; Gonzales, V.; Gonzalez; Guillen; Gutierrez; Hernandez Luna; Hochberg; Howard, D.; Johnson; King, T.; Lozano; Lucio; Mallory Caraway; Marquez; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; McClendon; Menendez; Miles; Muñoz; Naishtat; Oliveira; Peña; Pickett; Quintanilla; Raymond; Reynolds; Rodriguez; Simpson; Strama; Thompson; Veasey; Villarreal; Vo; Walle Present, not voting - Mr. Speaker(C); Turner Absent, Excused - Allen Disclaimer:This vote has not been certified by the House Journal Clerk. It is provided for informational purposes only. Once the vote is certified, it will be recorded in the journal according to Rule 5 of the House Rules and made available on this web site.
To add/remove your name to/from the list for these broadcasts: <CLICK HERE> You must be a TSEU member .Put "subscribe me" or "unsubscribe me" in the subject line Put your full name and work location in the text of the email .Note: this address is only to subscribe to the TSEU broadcast network. For other issues contact your nearest TSEU OFFICE

 

Fwd: Lead the March on Lobby Day

Subject: Lead the March on Lobby Day
Reply-To: <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION / CWA LOCAL 6186
<image001.gif> Lobby Day is our chance to say loud and clear that state employees care. We will stand up for our jobs, our pension, our health care, and for work we do for the people of our state. With the threats to state services and state jobs greater than ever, our show of solidarity and determination also has to be greater than ever. Be there – Austin – April 6.	Lead the way on April 6 Lobby Day ticket contest will decide march order This year the march order for TSEU groups will be determined by how many members come to Lobby Day from each area of the state. The state has been divided into nine Lobby Day ticket regions. These regions are based partly on the twenty two TSEU service areas and partly on probable bus routes. We have calculated the number of members in each Lobby Day ticket region. We will divide the total number of tickets into the total number of members to get a percentage. The march order on April 6 will be determined by this percent of tickets to members, with the top group leading the march. Below are the broad region categories and the percentages of tickets with regards to the number of members in that region. <image002.gif> Go to the LOBBY DAY page of the TSEU website for a listing of cities to know exactly with which group you are a part. Contact your organizer for details or materials to increase the number of tickets in your area.	For more details contact: MIKE GROSS TSEU AUSTIN OFFICE 512.448.4225 www.cwa-tseu.org <image003.jpg>
To add/remove your name to/from the list for these broadcasts: <CLICK HERE> You must be a TSEU member .Put "subscribe me" or "unsubscribe me" in the subject line Put your full name and work location in the text of the email .Note: this address is only to subscribe to the TSEU broadcast network. For other issues contact your nearest TSEU OFFICE

 

Fwd: Reminder: Rally in Houston against budget cuts

Subject: Reminder: Rally in Houston against budget cuts
Reply-To: <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION / CWA LOCAL 6186
"SAVE our STATE" Statewide Week of Action - Houston Events TSEU and our Texas Forward coalition partners, led by TOP (Texas Organizing Project) will be standing up against proposed state budget cuts during the TOP "Save Our State" week of action. The proposed cuts to public education, state services and programs, and higher education will have an impact on every community. Our April 6th Lobby Day, will give us a chance to send a message to Legislators; during the Week of Action we can send a message to our own communities about what the cuts mean for our own neighbors. Texas Organizing Project "SAVE OUR STATE" Week of Action Please call the TSEU Office if you have any questions and if you are planning to attend TUESDAY, MARCH 22 / 4:00 PM Austin High School (1700 Dumble Street, Houston 77023) THURSDAY, MARCH 24 / 10:30am WIC Acres Home Multi Service Center (6719 W. Montgomery, Houston)	Lobby Day - March & Rally Wednesday, April 6 / Austin, TX / BE THERE! Be there for Lobby Day, April 6th in Austin. During the past few weeks, thousands of Texans have filled the Capitol to tell elected leaders to find a better way to balance the budget. We need to keep up the pressure to show legislators that Texans want quality state services. Be part of the movement to stop these attacks on public services and public employees Get your ticket today and GET ON THE BUS! Join thousands of other state employees, union members, friends, families, and supporters as we march, rally, and meet with legislators. Tickets are $15 and include lunch. Buy your ticket today, and get on the bus! As of now, buses will be picking up at the following locations. This is subject to change. Texas City, Almeda Mall, 1960 & 290, TSEU Office (South Main near Reliant Stadium), Northwest Transit Center (I-10 and 610), Katy, CWA Local 6222 (1730 Jefferson, downtown), Richmond, Prairie View A&M, and Brenham Go to the LOBBY DAY page of the TSEU website for more information or call the Houston TSEU office if you have any questions. 713-661-9030	For more details contact: MYKO GEDUTIS TSEU HOUSTONOffice 713.661.9030 www.cwa-tseu.org
To add/remove your name to/from the list for these broadcasts: <CLICK HERE> You must be a TSEU member .Put "subscribe me" or "unsubscribe me" in the subject line Put your full name and work location in the text of the email .Note: this address is only to subscribe to the TSEU broadcast network. For other issues contact your nearest TSEU OFFICE