SAMM ALMAGUER

Anti-government think tank targets our pension

2011-12-22T18:50:00.001-06:00

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

To add or remove your name to/from the list for these broadcasts (you must be a TSEU member): send an email to tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org
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 call your TSEU office.

To contact TSEU for more information or for materials:
Austin: 512 448-4225 / Houston: 713 661-9030 / San Antonio: 210 354-2900 / Dallas: 214 942-4305 / Harlingen: 956 428-0251 / Lubbock: 806 741-0044

For information about contacting your state legislators, go to the TSEU website cwa-tseu.org

Fwd: Call today to Protect Our Pension Plans

2011-04-24T14:44:00.001-05:00

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

******************************************************************************
To add or remove your name to/from the list for these broadcasts (you must be a TSEU member):
        send an email to tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org
        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 call your TSEU office

To contact TSEU for more information or for materials:
        Austin: 512 448-4225
        Houston: 713 661-9030
        San Antonio: 210 354-2900
        Dallas: 214 942-4305
        Harlingen: 956 428-0251
        Lubbock: 806 741-0044

For information about contacting your state legislators, go to http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/

                                                TSEU's position on spam
"Spam" is unsolicited email sent by for-profit businesses or organizations to people who are not customers or members. The addresses are obtained by various legal and illegal means. Nearly 80% of the email currently being sent is spam, and it is clogging servers and mail-boxes across the country. Spam interferes with the efficiency of the internet, increases the costs of operating servers and email systems, and wastes the time of recipients who did not ask to receive it or give
their email address to the parties who send it.
TSEU does not send spam. We send email broadcasts as a service to members, and send them only to TSEU members who have given us their email addresses. We will promptly remove any member from our email list at their request. All TSEU broadcasts are identified at the top. Emails to individuals or to small groups are identified in the header. No emails that are not so identified come from TSEU.

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

2011-04-17T07:02:00.001-05:00

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?

2011-04-14T14:00:00.001-05:00

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

2011-04-14T13:57:00.001-05:00

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.

2011-04-07T20:21:00.001-05:00

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

******************************************************************************
To add or remove your name to/from the list for these broadcasts (you must be a TSEU member):
        send an email to tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org
        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 call your TSEU office

To contact TSEU for more information or for materials:
        Austin: 512 448-4225
        Houston: 713 661-9030
        San Antonio: 210 354-2900
        Dallas: 214 942-4305
        Harlingen: 956 428-0251
        Lubbock: 806 741-0044

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

2011-04-05T18:51:00.001-05:00

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

2011-03-24T12:34:00.001-05:00

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

2011-03-22T12:47:00.001-05:00

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

Fwd: Take a stand against Health Savings Accounts for State Employees!

2011-03-21T18:34:00.001-05:00

Subject: Take a stand against Health Savings Accounts for State Employees!

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION
EMAIL BROADCAST UPDATE TO MEMBERS   March 22, 2011.

Monday, March 21^st Day of Action
Take a stand against Health Savings Accounts for State Employees!

Rep. Myra Crownover has filed a bill (HB 1766) that would convert our ERS health insurance to a "consumer-directed" health plan. This is just another name for the same health saving account legislation that has been shopped around session after session. This bill will be heard in committee on Tuesday, March 22^nd. TSEU is calling for a day of action on Monday, March 21^st to take a stand against this bill.
We need action now!
Please call your legislator and members of the Pension, Investments, and Financial Services committee, and ask them to oppose HB 1766 by Rep. Crownover.
Tell them that:
        "Health Savings Accounts won't slow down the overall growth of healthcare costs. It will only force state employees to not seek medical attention due to the costs."
Find out who represents you: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/
Members of Pension, Investments and Financial Services Committee:
Vicki Truitt (Southlake), Committee Chair: 512-463-0690
Rafael Anchia (Dallas), Committee Vice-Chair: 512-463-0746
Charles "Doc" Anderson (Waco): 512-463-0135
Brandon Creighton (Conroe): 512-463-0726
Anna Luna Hernandez (Houston):512-463-0614
Ken Legler (Pasadena): 512-463-0460
Barbara Nash (Arlington): 512-463-0562
Rob Orr (Burleson): 512-463-0538
Marc Veasey (Ft. Worth): 512-463-0716

What are Health Savings Accounts?
Health Savings Accounts are tax protected savings accounts that can only be spent on healthcare expenses. In order to qualify for a Health Savings Account, state employees will have to drop out of their comprehensive healthcare plan and enroll in a high deductible health care plan.
Health Savings Accounts are bad for State Employees because:
They impose an unfair burden on women in their child-baring years. This is because women in this age group usually utilize more routine medical exams, the cost of which can add up quickly.

Employees enrolled in high-deductible health plans are more likely to avoid, skip, or delay health care because of cost. This often leads to great problems down the road.

The average yearly salary of a State Employee is $38,000. Most studies show that Health Savings accounts discourage low-income workers from seeking treatment for health problems. Many state employees and retirees fit into the category of low-income workers. Health Savings Accounts have shown to only benefit more affluent employees making $75,000 and above.

Our comprehensive healthcare plan only works if we have a mixture of employees in the risk pool. If younger, healthier, and wealthier participants opt for Health Savings Accounts, there will be fewer people in our comprehensive plan. This will shrink the risk pool, making healthcare more expensive for those who remain in a comprehensive coverage plan. At some point, the cost of comprehensive coverage could become so expensive that the state drops it altogether and no longer offers it as a benefit to anyone.

For more information or questions contact Derrick Osobase at 512-448-4225 or your local organizer. To find your organizer go to: http://www.cwa-tseu.org/
******************************************************************************

To add or remove your name to/from the list for these broadcasts (you must be a TSEU member):
     send an email to tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org
     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
     call your TSEU office

To contact TSEU for more information or for materials:
     Austin: 512 448-4225
     Houston: 713 661-9030
     San Antonio: 210 354-2900
     Dallas: 214 942-4305
     Harlingen: 956 428-0251
     Lubbock: 806 741-0044

For information about contacting your state legislators, go to the TSEU website
http://www.cwa-tseu.org/hhsc_fdstmp_contact.html

Fwd: TSEU Legislative Update for March 18, 2011

2011-03-18T23:45:00.001-05:00

Subject: TSEU Legislative Update for March 18, 2011
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
March 18, 2011
Furlough Bill filed by the Chair of House Appropriations committee
Mini Lobby Days: HHSC, DFPS, DSHS
Funding for FY2011 and the Rainy Day Fund
Sunset Bill Proposes Merger of Texas Youth Commission and Texas Juvenile Probation Commission
See past LegeUpdates and more on the TSEU Legislative Pages.
<CLICK HERE>
Appropriations Committee
Pitts - CHAIR (R)
(512) 463-0516

Turner - VICE CHAIR (D)
(512) 463-0554
Aycock (R)
(512) 463-0684
Button (R)
(512) 463-0486
Chisum (R)
(512) 463-0736
Crownover (R)
(512) 463-0582
Darby (R)
(512) 463-0331
Dukes (D)-
(512) 463-0506
Eiland (D)
(512) 463-0502
Giddings (D)
(512) 463-0953
Gooden (R)
(512) 463-0458
Hochberg (D)
(512) 463-0492
Johnson (D)
(512) 463-0586
King (R)
(512) 463-0718
Margo (R)
(512) 463-0728
Martinez, Armando (D)
(512) 463-0530
McClendon (D)
(512) 463-0708
Miller, Doug (R)
(512) 463-0325
Morrison (R)
(512) 463-0456
Otto (R)
(512) 463-0570
Patrick (R)
(512) 463-0624
Riddle (R)
(512) 463-0572
Schwertner (R)
(512) 463-0309
Shelton (R)
(512) 463-0608
Torres (R)
(512) 463-0484
Villarreal (D)
(512) 463-0532
Zerwas (R)
(512) 463-0657

Furlough Bill filed by the Chair of House Appropriations committee - Pay cut will devastate the state's workforce
Representative Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie) filed HB 2720 on March 9th. This bill would direct state agency heads to institute furloughs up to 30 days for state employees. The bill will allow state employees who are furloughed to continue to receive full time health care contribution from the state, however it will reduce the person's compensation for purposes of calculating retirement benefits.
State services will be severely damaged by the furlough program. Texans are still in need of services and furloughing state employees means the quality and prompt delivery of services will be diminished. Turnover in many state agencies is dangerously high; furloughs will only make a bad situation worse.
This is a full frontal attack on workers and the services that we provide.
FIGHT TO STOP FURLOUGHS
*Buy your ticket to lobby day. Legislators have to see that state employees care about their jobs and the services.
*Organize your co-worker, we can't stop these attacks alone, we need thousands of state employees standing together to protect the services we provide, our benefits, and jobs.
*Call your legislator and members of the appropriations committee and ask them to oppose any initiative that would furlough or layoff state employees. (names and numbers listed in left column)

Mini Lobby Days:
HHSC
On Wednesday, February 23rd, 10 leaders from the TSEU statewide HHSC/DADS caucus came to the capitol to for the TSEU Mini Lobby Day. Samm Almaguer (Houston), Sheila Badzioch (Houston), Yoly Griego (El Paso, ERS Board Member), Lynette Johnson (Houston), Chickitha King (Dallas), Judy Lugo (El Paso, TSEU President), Naiman Rigby (Austin), Charles Shedd (Austin), Maria (Francis) Ortiz (San Antonio), Christina Vargas (El Paso) were in attendance.

In all, members met with 22 legislators and their staffers to discuss the proposed budget cuts. Members stressed the immediate need to hire thousands more front-line staff and urged legislators to pass legislation requiring cost-benefit analysis for current and any future contracted eligibility services.

In addition, members met to discuss TSEU's plan for defeating the attacks on state employees and services. We will have the largest turn-out ever at the all-agency/university/friends Lobby Day on April 6th. Ask co-workers to join the Union and COPE, get others to sign and send Stop the Cuts Postcards to their legislators, and be the front line of building a coalition to save state services. We also discussed the importance of getting Bob Stewart elected onto the ERS board of trustees.
For more information contact Jamie Berry at jberry@cwa-tseu.org or 713-661-9030
DFPS
On Wednesday, March 2nd, TSEU activists in DFPS met in Austin for the FPS mini Lobby Day at the Capitol. A list of members who participated follows. Members met with State Legislators and their staff to seek support for our bills to lower caseloads and set caseload goals. We also explained how the proposed budget cuts would affect our clients, and urged all who would listen to find a better way to balance the budget. Our work paid off, and we found more support for our bills. Getting firm commitments to oppose the proposed cuts was more difficult though. We'll have to continue to build pressure to stop the irresponsible cuts in the budget.
Before heading to the Capitol, we met at the union office and discussed the various efforts to stop the budget cuts- Lobby Day on April 6th, postcards we're sending to legislators, and most importantly, getting more of our coworkers to join the union. In order to grow, we discussed how we need to ask more non-members to sign up, and get out a clear message that we are fighting for better services for our clients and vulnerable Texans. Coworkers "thinking about it" and "waiting to see what happens" will do nothing to stop the cuts; helping build the union will make a difference.
If you work with one of the participants, thank them for taking the time to trek all over the Capitol to get our message out. FPS mini lobby day participants were Elizabeth Goble (Austin), April Cumberbatch (Arlington), Susan Rial (Arlington), Stephanie Diaz (Corpus Christi), Henry Gutierrez (El Paso), Sally Baker (Houston), Christie Fleming (Houston), Patricia Johnson (Houston), Rayetta Riggans (Houston), Harriet Thomas (Houston), Lilly Cisneros (San Antonio), Jim Funk (San Antonio), Karen Gafford (San Antonio), Ray Kirsch (San Antonio), Sonia Samples (San Antonio)
DSHS
Wednesday, March 9th, members from the Department of State Health Services participated in their own mini lobby day. In attendance were Liz Bruns and KayLin Mueller from the WIC program, Jonathon Poe from the STD/HIV/TB Surveillance program, Joanne Day from the Laboratory, and Karen Bitto from travel reimbursement. The team worked together and did an excellent job presenting the union's issues and concerns about the current budget situation and the states response. Primarily that message was that Texas is last in the country in most indicators of health, mental health, disease prevention, etc. because the state does not adequately fund services. Now is not the time to cut. Now is the time to increase revenue. That message was delivered to the offices of 10 Senators and Representatives.
For more information on DSHS and how to get involved with the caucus, contact Jim Branson at jbranson@cwa-tseu.org.

Funding for FY2011 and the Rainy Day Fund
State comptroller Susan Combs certified earlier this year that the state was running a $4.3 billion deficit for the current budget year. In order to makeup for this shortfall the governor asked agencies to make an additional 2.5% on top of the 5% cuts called for last year. Even with all these cuts the agencies were only able to cut about $1.2 billion from the current budget.
In order to cover the difference in the shortfall and the amount cut in the budget, House Appropriations Committee chairman, Rep. Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie), filed HB 275. This bill would open up the Economic Stabilization Fund (also known as the Rainy Day Fund) to use $4.3 billion in the current budget. Thus began a week long tug of war between Governor Perry of and members of the House, particularly Rep. Pitts.
Early last week the governor met with the house Republican Caucus, pushing them to hold firm on their commitment not to use any of the Rainy Day Fund. He claimed that there was more to cut in the budget and he would not approve using the fund until those cuts had been exhausted.
Rep. Pitts called a hearing on the bill, after a series of cancelations and rescheduled meetings, invited testimony was taken on Thursday, March 10. Representatives from the governor's office, including former state representative and senator, Ken Armbrister, presented the governor's proposals of cuts and stood firm against using the Rainy Day Fund. On Monday Rep. Pitts invited the governor's office to come to the floor to discuss the use of the bill and was stood up by the office.
Tuesday afternoon in a joint press release from the governor's office, the office of the Speaker of the House, Joe Straus, and the Comptroller, Susan Combs, announced that they would approve the use of no more than $3.2 billion of the Rainy Day Fund for the current fiscal year. Between increased sales tax revenue, cuts made from the 5% and 2.5% agency cuts, and the $3.2 billion from the Rainy Day Fund the current fiscal year will be funded and the state will not default or go bankrupt.
Use of the Rainy Day Fund now reduces the amount available for FY2012-2013 to $6 billion. However, Governor Perry also stated, "As we craft the next two-year budget, Texas leaders will continue to focus on a more efficient, fiscally responsible government, essential state services, and private sector job creation. I remain steadfastly committed to protecting the remaining balance of the Rainy Day Fund, and will not sign a 2012-2013 state budget that uses the Rainy Day Fund."
While this is a move in the right direction, it does not do anything to solve our budget problems for the next budget cycle. TSEU remains committed to pushing for a more balanced approach to writing this state budget. This means using all of the Rainy Day Fund, maximizing all available federal funds, increasing revenue, and fixing the $5 billion a year structural deficit.

Sunset Bill Proposes Merger of Texas Youth Commission and Texas Juvenile Probation Commission
House Bill 1915 (HB 1915) was heard last week in the House Corrections Committee. The bill is a "shell bill" based off of recommendations from the Sunset Advisory Commission. This legislation, filed by Correction Committee Chairperson Jerry Madden, would merge the Texas Youth Commission and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission. In addition to closing three TYC facilities and possibly six probation offices, the bill would pass the responsibility of caring for and housing youth offenders to the counties.
In her testimony on the bill last week, Mimi Garcia, TSEU's Outreach Coordinator testified -
It is tempting to think that by closing down state-run facilities and turning these youth over to cheaper, county-run residential facilities the state can save money and help close the immediate budget hole. However, this amounts to an unfunded mandate for county governments, most of which lack the resources, funds, and specialized workforce to deal with the TYC's specialized population of offenders. In addition, leaving it up to individual counties to develop their own programs, standards, and methods of running these facilities will create a patchwork of juvenile justice systems across the state. This will make it extremely difficult for future legislatures to adequately oversee such a wide range of programs. Texas needs a state-run, fully integrated system with uniform standards, goals, and accountability.
TSEU supports gradually transitioning TYC towards a system of smaller, residential facilities similar to the nine halfway houses already in operation around the state. These facilities could offer a wide range of programs to better suit the individual needs of incarcerated youth who come to TYC with mental health issues, histories of abuse, drug addictions, and little education. These smaller facilities would allow the state to increase the staff-to-youth ratio and thereby create a safer environment. The issue of long travel times for families of incarcerated youths coming to visit them would be reduced with these small facilities scattered all over the state.
These young offenders are here in our communities right now, and if we are not ready to deal with them now, if we do not put the resources into rehabilitating them before they wind up committing even more serious crimes, we will seriously regret our lack of foresight. The problem is real and simply pushing it down the road or trying to ignore it will not make it go away.

TYC is holding a series of community meetings on the facility closures over the next several weeks. All TYC members and TSEU members in the community should go to voice how important these facilities are for youth and the community.
Community TYC Meeting Schedule: All Meetings held 10am-2pm
* March 19, Mart:
Mart Community Center, 805 East Bowie Street, Mart, TX
March 26,
Brownwood: Brownwood High School, 2100 Slayden, Brownwood, TX
April 2, Edinburg:
University of Texas Pan American, Location on campus TBD
April 9, Crockett:
Crockett High School, 1600 SW Loop 304, Crockett, TX
April 16, Beaumont: TBD
April 30, Giddings:
Giddings High School Cafetorium, 2337 North Main, Giddings, TX
May 7, Corsicana:
Navarro College Dawson Auditorium, 3200 West 7th Ave, Corsicana, TX
May 14, Gainesville: TBD
For more information contact Seth Huchinson at shutchinson@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: Monday, March 21st Day of Action! Take a stand against Health Savings Accounts for State Employees

2011-03-18T17:42:00.001-05:00

Subject: Monday, March 21st Day of Action! Take a stand against Health Savings Accounts for State Employees
Reply-To: <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>

Monday, March 21^st Day of Action
Take a stand against Health Savings Accounts for State Employees!

Rep. Myra Crownover has filed a bill (HB 1766) that would convert our ERS health insurance to a "consumer-directed" health plan. This is just another name for the same health saving account legislation that has been shopped around session after session. This bill will be heard in committee on Tuesday, March 22^nd. TSEU is calling for a day of action on Monday, March 21^st to take a stand against this bill.
We need action now!
Please call your legislator and members of the Pension, Investments, and Financial Services committee, and ask them to oppose HB 1766 by Rep. Crownover.
Tell them that:
"Health Savings Accounts won't slow down the overall growth of healthcare costs. It will only force state employees to not seek medical attention due to the costs."
Find out who represents you: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/
Members of Pension, Investments and Financial Services Committee:
Vicki Truitt (Southlake), Committee Chair: 512-463-0690
Rafael Anchia (Dallas), Committee Vice-Chair: 512-463-0746
Charles "Doc" Anderson (Waco): 512-463-0135
Brandon Creighton (Conroe): 512-463-0726
Anna Luna Hernandez (Houston):512-463-0614
Ken Legler (Pasadena): 512-463-0460
Barbara Nash (Arlington): 512-463-0562
Rob Orr (Burleson): 512-463-0538
Marc Veasey (Austin): 512-463-0716

What are Health Savings Accounts?
Health Savings Accounts are tax protected savings accounts that can only be spent on healthcare expenses. In order to qualify for a Health Savings Account, state employees will have to drop out of their comprehensive healthcare plan and enroll in a high deductible health care plan.
Health Savings Accounts are bad for State Employees because:
They impose an unfair burden on women in their child-baring years. This is because women in this age group usually utilize more routine medical exams, the cost of which can add up quickly.

Employees enrolled in high-deductible health plans are more likely to avoid, skip, or delay health care because of cost. This often leads to great problems down the road.

The average yearly salary of a State Employee is $38,000. Most studies show that Health Savings accounts discourage low-income workers from seeking treatment for health problems. Many state employees and retirees fit into the category of low-income workers. Health Savings Accounts have shown to only benefit more affluent employees making $75,000 and above.

Our comprehensive healthcare plan only works if we have a mixture of employees in the risk pool. If younger, healthier, and wealthier participants opt for Health Savings Accounts, there will be fewer people in our comprehensive plan. This will shrink the risk pool, making healthcare more expensive for those who remain in a comprehensive coverage plan. At some point, the cost of comprehensive coverage could become so expensive that the state drops it altogether and no longer offers it as a benefit to anyone.

For more information or questions contact Derrick Osobase at 512-448-4225 or your local organizer. To find your organizer go to: http://www.cwa-tseu.org/

Fwd: Rally in Houston against budget cuts

2011-03-17T14:27:00.001-05:00

Subject: 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)
TUESDAY, 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

Fwd: Day of Outrage Rally Tomorrow & Lobby Day Preparations

2011-03-14T12:55:00.001-05:00

Subject: Day of Outrage Rally Tomorrow & Lobby Day Preparations

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION / CWA LOCAL 6186
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.

To all HOUSTON Area TSEU members
TSEU Lobby Day, Wednesday April 6th is less than a month away! Several events that will help us prepare for Lobby Day are coming up:
Tomorrow: "Day of Outrage" Rally
Houston City Hall / March 15 / 4:30-6:30pm
This is an opportunity for us to voice our opposition to the proposed state budget cuts, and to stand up with fellow public workers in Wisconsin, Ohio, and other states who are pushing back against attacks on public services and public employees. In Texas, the proposed budget cuts will slash funding for public education, higher education, and state services. Our own benefits and jobs are also under attack. Call the TSEU office if you are interested in attending, and look for the TSEU banner at the rally.
Sign and Banner Making Party,
TSEU Office / Saturday March 19 / 11am-3pm
Come by and help make banners and signs for the Lobby Day march and rally. We'll work on continuing the long tradition of creative banners and signs from the Houston area. Artistic skills are not required; Creative suggestions are appreciated. Lunch will be provided.

Be on the bus to take a stand for our jobs and the services we provide / Wednesday, April 6th
Be there for Lobby Day, April 6th in Austin. We'll be marching and rallying at the Capitol, before going inside to meet with legislators or their staff. Lobby Day is one of the best ways we can send a clear message to elected officials that their constituents don't support attacks on state services and state employees. 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

Fwd: Bob Stewart for ERS Board -- Vote today!

2011-03-09T20:11:00.001-06:00

Subject: Bob Stewart for ERS Board -- Vote today!

Bob Stewart for ERS Board of Trustees
Vote today!
TSEU election campaign update

Ballots are out!
Don't let yours go to waste.

Use your paper ballot or vote on-line
Ballots have been mailed to every eligible voter to the address on file with ERS

Why it's so important

We need ERS Board members who will stand up for state employees. Since 2003, the Texas Legislature has approved numerous cuts and employee cost hikes in our
ERS pension and health plans. Now legislators are considering plans that include:

* slashing the state contribution to the pension plans
* converting our pensions to 401-k type "defined contribution" plans
* forcing ERS to convert our health plan to a high deductible plan
* making employees pay much more out of our paychecks for health coverage
* reducing health coverage for retirees

State employees need representatives on the ERS Board who will stand up to the
politicians, call for full funding of our pension and health care plans and who will oppose all
cuts.

When the ERS board voted in 2010 to increase employee-paid costs in our health plan,
the vote was 6 to 1. Only TSEU member Yolanda Griego voted against the cost increases. Bob
Stewart will stand with Yolanda to be a second vote on the Board who will oppose cuts.

Who can vote
All active state agency employees
All Texas legislators and legislative staff
All state judges and court staff
All ERS retirees

When do we vote?
March 4 – April 8

To use your paper ballot:
1. Be sure you write in the last four digits of your Social Security number in the spaces
2. Be sure you sign your ballot
3. Be sure you print your name
4. Be sure to mark the box to vote
5. Seal your ballot in the envelope that came with the ballot
6. Send in your ballot with other TSEU members where you work (See "Build voter turnout" below)

You can also vote on-line:
1. Go to www.ers.state.tx.us
2. Click the VOTE NOW link at the top center of the home page
3. Type in your Employee (ERS) ID an click "SUBMIT"
4. When asked, type in the last four digits of your Social Security number
5.Follow the directions to vote

Caution: do note vote more than once.
IF YOU DO, ALL YOUR VOTES WILL BE VOID. If you vote on-line, don't use your paper ballot. If you use your paper ballot, don't vote on-line.

Work with your co-workers to win this election
Only about 12% of eligible voters voted in the 2009 election. This position is a crucial one and TSEU members are doing everything we can to increase understanding and participation.

TSEU members in many locations are doing Get Out The Vote campaigns where they work. Members are setting up ballot boxes, organizing ERS voting lunches, or making a chart of who has voted. Note that all ballots collected will be mailed through the U.S. Post Office, which is the only way ballots can be returned. TSEU members will also have "I Voted for Bob" stickers available for members and non-members who have voted.

Fwd: Spirit of Wisconsin moves Texas: Lobby Day march & rally. April 6.

2011-03-08T19:49:00.001-06:00

Subject: Spirit of Wisconsin moves Texas: Lobby Day march & rally. April 6.

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION / CWA LOCAL 6186
Update to TSEU members
APRIL 6 / AUSTIN
Lobby Day & general mobilization
March, rally & lobbying for state services, public workers, and education
For more details contact:
MIKE GROSS

TSEU AUSTIN Office
512.448.4225

www.cwa-tseu.org
UPDATE:
MARCH 8, 2011

TSEU Lobby Day will be a general mobilization for state services, public workers, education
Forty organizations united in the Texas Forward Coalition have agreed to join with TSEU and make April 6 a general, united mobilization to push back against the proposed budget cuts that will cripple state services and education if passed into law. Some organizations will send their own buses, others will encourage members to ride on TSEU's buses.
Be on the bus: $15
TSEU is chartering buses to run from all over the state. Check the LOBBY DAY PAGE of TSEU's web site http://www.cwa-tseu.org/ or contact TSEU for a map of bus routes and information about stops.
General Information
Gathering point: Waterloo Park (Trinity St @ 14th St) in Austin
Lunch: Will be served at about 10:30 at Waterloo Park
March Route: through the Capitol Complex, around the Capitol to the Capitol South Steps
Rally: 12 noon, Capitol South Steps
Lobbying: 1:30 – 4:30. Pre-arranged appointments for every group.

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.

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: ERS Election Update: Ballots out today!

2011-03-05T09:01:00.001-06:00

From: "TSEU Broadcast" <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>
Date: March 4, 2011 2:15:39 PM CST
To: <tseu-notice@server.cwa-tseu-mail.org>
Subject: ERS Election Update: Ballots out today!
Reply-To: <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION / CWA LOCAL 6186
For more details contact:
MIKE GROSS

TSEU AUSTIN Office
512.448.4225

www.cwa-tseu.org
ERS BOARD OF TRUSTEES CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
Ballots come out today - Don't let yours go to waste!
ELECT BOB STEWART
Ballots will be mailed to every eligible voter in the ERS Board of Trustees election. The ballots will be mailed to the address on file with ERS.
Who can vote
* All active state agency employees
* All Texas legislators and legislative staff
* All state judges and court staff
* All ERS retirees
When do we vote?
March 4 – April 8
To use your paper ballot:
1. Be sure you write in the last four digits of your Social Security number in the spaces
2. Be sure you sign your ballot
3. Be sure you print your name
4. Be sure to mark the box to vote
5. Seal your ballot in the envelope that came with the ballot
6. Send in your ballot with other TSEU members where you work (See "Build voter turnout" below)
You can also vote on-line:
1. Go to www.ers.state.tx.us
2. Click the VOTE NOW link at the top center of the home page
3. Type in your Employee (ERS) ID an click "SUBMIT"
4. When asked, type in the last four digits of your Social Security number
5.Follow the directions to vote
Caution: do note vote more than once.
IF YOU DO, ALL YOUR VOTES WILL BE VOID. If you vote on-line, don't use your paper ballot. If you use your paper ballot, don't vote on-line
Build voter turnout: make it a group activity
Only about 12% of eligible voters voted in the 2009 election. This position is a crucial one and TSEU members are doing everything we can to increase understanding and participation.
TSEU members in many locations are doing Get Out The Vote campaigns where they work. Members are setting up ballot boxes, organizing ERS voting lunches, or making a chart of who has voted. Note that all ballots collected will be mailed through the U.S. Post Office, which is the only way ballots can be returned. TSEU members will also have "I Voted for Bob" stickers available for members and non-members who have voted.
Join the statewide election committee <CLICK HERE> for more information.
Why it's important
We need ERS Board members who will stand up for state employees
Since 2003, the Texas Legislature has approved numerous cuts and employee cost hikes in our ERS pension and health plans. Now legislators are considering plans that include:
* slashing the state contribution to the pension plans
* converting our pensions to 401-k type 'defined contribution' plans
* forcing ERS to convert our health plan to a high deductible plan
* making employees pay much more out of our paychecks for health coverage
* reducing health coverage for retirees
State employees need representatives on the ERS Board who will stand up to the politicians, call for full funding of our pension and health care plans and who will oppose all cuts.
When the ERS board voted in 2010 to increase employee-paid costs in our health plan, the vote was 6 to 1. Only TSEU member Yolanda Griego voted against the cost increases. Bob Stewart will stand with Yolanda to be a second vote on the Board who will oppose cuts.

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: Legislative Update: March 4, 2011

2011-03-05T08:59:00.001-06:00

Subject: Legislative Update: March
Reply-To: <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION
EMAIL BROADCAST UPDATE TO MEMBERS   March 4, 2011.

Legislative Update: March 4, 2011

A Tough Union for Tough Times
Balancing the Texas Budget with unfunded mandates to Texas communities
TDCJ Lay offs
First Shot fired— bill was filed to convert new employee's pension to a "defined contribution" plan
State Employee Healthcare Under Attack: Higher Premiums and Health Savings Accounts
Member Commentary: "We are all Wisconsin!"
GOP legislators call for a balanced approach to the budget despite Tea Party rhetoric

A Tough Union for Tough Times
By Derrick Osobase, TSEU Legislative Coordinator

As we're well aware public workers across the country are under attack from North to South, East to West. We all share a common bond. One thing that the massive demonstrations has shown is that state workers have been the first to step up and fight this slash and burn approach to state services. Our message isn't just about bargaining rights or protecting our benefits. It's also been about the families who we serve every day, keeping people safe and healthy, keeping the promise to our students that they can have a decent primary and secondary education, and access to an affordable college education.

As the public at large begins to wake up and see these attacks for what they are – nothing more than a right wing agenda to destroy public sector unions and public services and working people – they'll begin to turn on them and their agenda. And there are already signs of this in national polling.

But more importantly, now is the time for us to seize on this moment and strengthen our hand. It's time for us to recommit ourselves to building a union that not only protects our benefits and pay but also those citizens here in Texas, who are afraid they might get kicked out of their nursing home or the student who's done everything right but won't be able to afford college because the state cut over a billion dollars in scholarship money.

Our power is measured in numbers. It's that simple. The first step starts with you turning to your co-worker and saying, "you need to join the union so this never happens to us again. Here's an application. Fill it out. Building a strong union starts with you."

Balancing the Texas Budget with unfunded mandates to Texas communities
Lege plans to walk its tab, pass $31 million bill to counties.

The Texas Legislature has decided to solve its $27 billion problem by passing the buck. The cuts in state spending on health and human services, education, criminal justice, youth services, and many others will leave county and city governments, school districts, and hospital districts liable for billions of dollars to provide services that they will not be able to dodge.

1. Abandon seven state parks. $8 million.
One plan to reduce the state budget is to transfer responsibility for seven state parks from the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife to the counties or cities. The seven are:
            Wyler Arial Tramway (El Paso)
            Big Spring State Park
            Daingerfield State Park
            Blanco State Park
            Lockhart State Park
            Sebastopol House State Historic Park (Seguin)
            Lake Casa Blanca International State Park (Laredo)

While the state would save about $8 million, it would mean that the cities or counties would have to come up with funding to operate the parks. All are critical parts of the local economies, but it is unlikely that they add enough to the economy to offset the costs of operating them. Traditionally, of course, the State of Texas has taken the responsibility to operate the state parks, which benefit all the people of our state.

2. Close another TYC facility. $23 million.
Budget writers are looking to cut an additional $23 million from the budget of the Texas Youth Commission. This additional cut would require the closing of a third TYC youth facility (Legislators already had written in plans to shut down two). TYC facilities are residential placements for youth who have committed serious (felony level) crimes. Without TYC placements, cities and counties would be forced to create or expand programs and facilities to handle these youth.

What to do now.
All across the state, TSEU members are talking to county commissioners, city council members, and others about passing resolutions to oppose the unfunded mandates planned by the Texas Legislature. Contact your TSEU office or organizer to find out how to set up meetings with local elected officials where you live. www.cwa-tseu.org

TDCJ Lay offs
Last week the Texas Department of Criminal Justice announced their plan to cut more than $40 million from their FY2011 operating budget and lay off more than 550 staff. Over 400 of the layoffs come from administrative and support positions in the agency's parole and correctional institutional divisions. However, 155 of the layoffs come from the proposed elimination of Project RIO, which helps to reintegrate ex-offenders into the workforce.

Project RIO has been shown to diminish a former inmate's likelihood of returning to prison and increase their chances of holding down sustainable employment. "This move by the agency will have a big impact on public safety in Texas," said Mike Gross, Vice-President of the Texas State Employees Union. "Fewer support staff in parole mean that more parole officers will be having to do more and more with already growing case loads. The elimination of Project RIO just means we'll be seeing more offenders end up back up in prison."

This latest blow comes in the wake of the Texas Education Agency's announcement yesterday that they will begin laid off an unknown number of employees.

Governor Perry asked agencies to find an additional 2.5% to cut in FY 2011 to make up for the current $4 billion shortfall. "We're putting the public at risk with these kinds of cuts," said Gross. "This is why we need the legislature to find new sources of revenue, use the Rainy Day Fund, and maximize all federal funds. This is just the tip of the iceberg for what our state will be facing in a few months."

First Shot fired— bill was filed to convert new employee's pension to a "defined contribution" plan
This week TSEU members Lily Cisneros (DFPS, San Antonio), Jim Funk (DFPS, San Antonio), Susan Bradley (ROC, Austin), and TSEU's ERS board of trustees candidate, Bob Stewart (TWC, Austin), testified against proposed cuts to state employee retirement plans at the Senate Finance Committee hearing. Proposals to convert our defined-benefit retirement plans to defined-contribution (401-k) plans have already been filed in the state House of Representatives.

Representative Kenneth Sheets filed HB 1974 on March 2^nd, which would convert all new state employee pensions to a defined-contribution plan.

What is a defined contribution plan?
It is where the employer and employee contribute each month to a 401K type account, which is invested by the employee in various stocks, mutual funds, etc. The employee's pension at retirement depends solely on the funds available in their individual account. Each individual employee accepts all the risks and hopes the investments made will be enough to provide a secure retirement.

Currently, our pension is determined by a formula that includes the employee's years of services and salary. The fund itself, and the state of Texas, accept the risk of changes in the economy and guarantee each employee a pension.

Past history of states that converted employees to defined contribution plans
Nebraska and West Virginia both converted their pension plans to defined contributions. The impact on retirees under these plans was shocking. In the case of Nebraska, workers averaged about a 6% return on their money, while the state's professional investors who managed the plans earned 11%.

A couple of disturbing things were revealed about defined contributions pans. First, employees assumed all the risks. If the stock market collapsed and lost the employee's invested money, too bad. If you didn't invest enough or your portfolio was too conservative which resulted in your account not having sufficient funds to retire – you are out of luck. In the case of West Virginia, retirees were out-living their pensions even though they were making the contributions recommended by the state's pension professionals.

Secondly, the experiment in Nebraska revealed that 401(k) type plans charge numerous fees and surcharges to the employees. Fund managers were getting rich nickel and diming employees, which lowered the total amount of funds in their accounts.

Since these debacles, both states have returned back to traditional defined benefit plans.

How does this affect you?
If Texas were to convert new employees to a defined contribution plan, the soundness of the current retirement plan would be in jeopardy. The state would have to split its contribution to the employees between two retirement funds, costing the state more money to maintain two funds and by diluting number of employees contributing to the traditional plan. Currently, all employees contribute to one fund and money is invested together.

Take Action Now! Call your legislator today and ask him/her to oppose house bill 1974 by Rep. Kenneth Sheets to convert state employees' pensions to a defined contribution plan. The benefit package for state employees is the only incentive left to attract and retain qualified state employees. We worked hard for our pension. Will the Representative oppose HB 1974?
Find out who represents you: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/

State Employee Healthcare Under Attack: Higher Premiums and Health Savings Accounts
Currently, proposed cuts to agency employee ERS health insurance would cost families an extra $135 a month in premium sharing. Currently the state covers 100% of the premiums for employees and 50% of the premium for dependents. The house budget recommends reducing that coverage. The state would only cover 80% of the premiums for employees and 40% of the premium for dependents.

Today, a state employee with ERS health care coverage for their family pays $394.60 per month in premium sharing. Under the proposed plan, employees would pay $530.42 per month to cover his or her family. This increase of $135.82 per month amounts to an annual pay cut of nearly $1630.

Just as some legislators are pushing for defined-contribution retirement plans, they're now looking to defined-contribution health plans. TSEU is standing against the consumer-directed health plans (HSA) being proposed by Rep. Crownover in HB 1766 and HB1362 by Laubenberg.
What are Health Savings Accounts?
Health Savings Accounts are tax protected savings accounts that can only be spent on healthcare expenses. In order to qualify for a Health Savings Account, state employees will have to drop out of their comprehensive healthcare plan and enroll in a high deductible health care plan.
Health Savings Accounts are bad for State Employees because:
They impose an unfair burden on women in their child-baring years. This is because women in this age group usually utilize more routine medical exams, the cost of which can add up quickly.

Employees enrolled in high-deductible health plans are more likely to avoid, skip, or delay health care because of cost. This often leads to great problems down the road.

The average yearly salary of a State Employee is $38,000. Most studies show that Health Savings accounts discourage low-income workers from seeking treatment for health problems. Many state employees and retirees fit into the category of low-income workers. Health Savings Accounts have shown to only benefit more affluent employees making $75,000 and above.

Our comprehensive healthcare plan only works if we have a mixture of employees in the risk pool. If younger, healthier, and wealthier participants opt for Health Savings Accounts, there will be fewer people in our comprehensive plan. This will shrink the risk pool, making healthcare more expensive for those who remain in a comprehensive coverage plan. At some point, the cost of comprehensive coverage could become so expensive that the state drops it altogether and no longer offers it as a benefit to anyone.

We need action now! Please call your legislator and members of the Pension, Investments, and Financial Services committee, and ask them to oppose HB 1766 by Rep. Crownover and HB 1362 by Laubenberg. Tell them that:
      "Health Savings Accounts won't slow down the overall growth of healthcare costs. It will only force state employees to not seek medical attention due to the costs."
Find out who represents you: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/

Member Commentary: "We are all Wisconsin!"
Caroline O'Connor was TSEU's political and legislative coordinator and an organizer for several years. She recently began working for the Los Angeles Central Labor Council. Last week she went to Wisconsin to support the public workers there. Below is her report from the trip.

We invite TSEU members to add commentary to our Legislative Updates. Please send brief commentary on issues affecting state workers to Mimi Garcia at mgarcia@cwa-tseu.org.

Last week I went to Wisconsin for 30 hours with 160 workers from LA, representing 40 different unions. Though it was also a lot of work to organize and execute, what I was able to witness in Wisconsin was something I didn't think was possible. The people of Wisconsin literally took over their Capitol in a way that I could never have imagined and turned it into their own. It really was the most democratically run Capitol I've ever stepped foot in.

When we marched into the Capitol our first day there, it was like walking into an Iron Maiden concert in South America that included a massive drum circle. All ages. Students, workers, elderly, toddlers, moms, dudes, people with disabilities, and workers all keeping a loud and hypnotizing beat. 161 of us made our way through the crowds of cheering people into the rotunda. When you looked up, there were three levels of circular balusters draped with banners and filled with people above who were clapping and chanting "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" A lot of high-fiving.

There were signs and banners everywhere! Very clever and damning handwritten signs, and union banners from across the country in support. All signs on the walls were taped with blue painters tape so not to leave a mark. I can't quite describe the feeling of walking through the center of it except that it literally took away my breath. I couldn't even chant...

The demonstrators inside the Capitol had turned it into a little town. They had food stations where free pizza, bratwursts, bagels, soup, drinks, cookies, etc...were delivered throughout the day. The sign above read, "Take what you need." That was the prevailing sentiment. If you showed up without a sleeping bag, you would be fed and given a bed on the floor so you could stay, participate, and keep the effort going.

There was a medical/first aid station staffed with volunteer nurses and med students. There was a guy that set up his massage chair and gave free massages. There was a family section of the Capitol for families and kids to play and sleep. There was a charging station for cell phones and computers where people could leave their devices and return to them fully charged.

The occupation of the Capitol was started by 2,000 graduate teaching assistants and union members from Univ. of Wisconsin Madison on Monday, Feb. 14. By Wednesday, Feb. 16, they said there were 35,000 people at the Capitol. It happened so fast. They said it was like running after a train, getting everything up and running, but they did. The TAs had a war room on the third floor north wing of the Capitol. There was a massive wall of bedding and sleeping bags available for anyone to stay the night. They had their own food and coffee station. They had a study area for students who needed it, even though it was difficult to escape the booms of the crowds and drums that came and went throughout the day. There were also signs and organizing charts and notes all over the walls with listings of movies to show at night in the rotunda, sign-up shifts for being a floor monitor, running nonviolence trainings, taking out trash, refilling food stations, handing out hand sanitizer, etc....

And everyone took turns. The students, graduate and undergrads, were the real thrust behind the organization of the Capitol takeover, along with the unions. At night, it was like a massive slumber party and everyone was invited. You could sit down on a sleeping bag island and play Apples to Apples, Settlers of Catan, or Yahtzee with a group of strangers who felt like your cousins. You could wander into several musical performances. You could watch "Bob Roberts" in the rotunda. No drinking no drugs. Everyone was told if they were going to drink, they should go home and come back when they sobered up. Everyone was really clear about the event being peaceful.

All kinds of groups would march through the rotunda during the day. There were firefighters playing bagpipes. There were med students in their white coats with a banner that read, "Future Doctors for Workers Rights and Medicaid." They chanted "Do not, do not, do not resuscitate!" (talking about the bill). There were "Cops for Labor." There were retirees for unions. There were Teamsters and Laborers. There were moms with babies in strollers. The groups would spontaneously spring up, inject the building with a new inspiration, and make their way through.

When groups like ours weren't marching in, there was an open mic in the middle of the rotunda for anyone who wanted to speak. People would get on the mic and say why they were there. The stories told and the words used were compelling and would elicit a lot of cheers. Kooky stuff would happen. Sometimes people would sing or play a song. A fifth grader got up to talk about her favorite teacher and then got nervous and ran away. One kid breakdanced. Once a yoga instructor led the entire Capitol through a breathing exercise and told everyone she would be on the second floor if anyone wanted to stretch later. A Teamster chanted "Om."

I think what struck me most was the real unity and solidarity that was in that building--union/nonunion, cops/students, old/young, hipsters/everyone else. It was really a beautiful thing and something I didn't want to leave. I must admit, I think the fact that it was happening in the heart of America, Wisconsin, the Midwest, had a lot to do with the very nice, genuine, and familial vibe that ran throughout.

Someone from our trip made a video. It's at: http://www.youtube.com/whywisconsin. You can get a sense of the LA labor folks and what it was like.

These attacks on public sector collective bargaining, organized labor and really the American middle class are spreading to six or seven other states -- including Ohio, Indiana, New Hampshire. Obviously, Texas is a state that they are looking to emulate, and many of us know how difficult it is to organize public sector workers in Texas without this right. If this is happening in a state near you, I highly recommend showing up to the demonstrations and protests. You'll actually get to participate in what democracy can look like. And you'll be continuing what started in Wisconsin and needs to spread.

GOP legislators call for a balanced approach to the budget despite Tea Party rhetoric
Sen. Robert Deuell (Greenville), Sen. Kevin Eltife (Tyler), and Rep. John Zerwas (Houston) all came out in support of using the state's $ 9 billion emergency fund known as the "Rainy Day Fund". Even though some extreme right wing legislators in the Tea Party Caucus, led by Sen. Dan Patrick of Houston, urged lawmakers in a letter to stand firm on deep cuts to state services and layoffs.

Sen. Deuell was quoted to say, "I'm advocating using the rainy day fund – All of it. I also think we should raise the gas tax 10 cents a gallon and close loopholes in the sales tax."

We need more legislators who will stand up and fight for a balanced approach to the budget that includes new sources of revenue.

TSEU members are urged to call these legislators, even if you don't live in their district. As these reasonable republicans fight for an even-handed approach to the budget that doesn't just consist of cuts, they'll need our help.

Call their offices and tell them: "I'm a member of the state employees union and a taxpayer. I support your position on using the rainy day fund. Thank you for standing up for our most vulnerable Texans."

Sen. Robert Deuell : 512-463-0102
Sen. Kevin Eltife: 512-463-0101
Rep. John Zerwas: 512-463-0657

******************************************************************************

To add or remove your name to/from the list for these broadcasts (you must be a TSEU member):
     send an email to tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org
     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
     call your TSEU office

To contact TSEU for more information or for materials:
     Austin: 512 448-4225
     Houston: 713 661-9030
     San Antonio: 210 354-2900
     Dallas: 214 942-4305
     Harlingen: 956 428-0251
     Lubbock: 806 741-0044

For information about contacting your state legislators, go to the TSEU website
http://www.cwa-tseu.org/hhsc_fdstmp_contact.html

Fwd: HHSC/DADS LTSS Mini-Lobby Day Report from 2/23/11

2011-03-04T17:02:00.001-06:00

Subject: HHSC/DADS LTSS Mini-Lobby Day Report from 2/23/11

On Wednesday, Feb. 23rd, Health and Human Services Commission Union Activists from regions 3,6,7,8, & 10 came to Austin to participate in the HHSC/DADS LTSS Mini-Lobby Day.

In all, 10 members met with 22 legislators and their staffers to discuss the proposed budget cuts. Members stressed the immediate need to hire thousands more front-line staff and urged legislators to require cost-benefit analysis for current and any future contracted eligibility services.

In addition, members met to discuss TSEU's plan for defeating the attacks on state employees and services. We will have the largest turn-out ever at the all-agency/university/friends Lobby Day on April 6th , ask co-workers to join the Union and COPE, get others to sign and send Stop the Cuts Postcards to their legislators, and be the front line of building a coalition to save state services. We also discussed the importance of getting Bob Stewart elected onto the ERS board of trustees.

We have tentatively set our next caucus meeting for Saturday, June 18th. Please mark your calendars right away and make plans to attend.

See you all in Austin on April 6th!

Fwd: TSEU March & Rally for state services & state employees

2011-02-28T19:44:00.001-06:00

Subject: TSEU March & Rally for state services & state employees

TSEU Lobby Day
Wednesday, April 6th
Be on the bus to take a stand for our jobs and the services we provide
The Spirit of Wisconsin blows across Texas
The news coming out of the Capitol in Austin is as bad as expected. Initial budget proposals call for brutal cuts in programs that serve communities across Texas, deep cuts in funding for public schools and higher education, and layoffs & reduced healthcare benefits for state employees.
As in many other states, the current budget crisis is being used as an excuse for gutting state services & education, and for rolling back state employee benefits. And, just like folks in other states, we shouldn't sit on the sidelines while our elected leaders plan to make irresponsible budget cuts that will hurt so many people. In Wisconsin, union members are standing up to protect their right to have a voice on the job and are showing that there is broad, growing support for state services and employees in their community. How do we make our voice heard in Texas?
Be there for Lobby Day, April 6^th in Austin. We'll be marching and rallying at the Capitol, before going inside to meet with legislators or their staff. Lobby Day is one of the best ways we can send a clear message to elected officials that their constituents don't support attacks on state services and state employees. 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, Richmond, Prairie View A&M, and Brenham
Prepare for Lobby Day at a Public Speaking Workshop, Tuesday March 8^th 5:30pm – 7:30pm
The Houston Federation of Teachers is hosting a training session on how to speak with Legislators and legislative staff. TSEU members are encouraged to participate. Please call the TSEU office if you plan on attending or if you have any questions. The training will take place at the Harris County AFL-CIO office, 2506 Sutherland (near I-45 & Telephone), Houston 77023.
Sign and Banner Making Party, Saturday March 19th 11am-3pm TSEU Office
Come by and help make banners and signs for the Lobby Day march and rally. We'll work on continuing the long tradition of creative banners and signs from the Houston area. Artistic skills are not required; Creative suggestions are appreciated. Lunch will be provided.
Get Ready for Lobby Day at "Day of Outrage" Rally at Houston City Hall, March 15^th 4:30-6:30pm
This is another opportunity to voice our opposition to the proposed state budget cuts, and to get the juices flowing for Lobby Day. Call the TSEU office if you are interested in attending.

Fwd: TSEU Legislative Update 2-23-2011

2011-02-24T16:52:00.001-06:00

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION
EMAIL BROADCAST UPDATE TO MEMBERS   February 23, 2011.

Legislative Update

In this issue:
House Committees Assigned
TSEU testifies at the Capitol
Mini Lobby Days
Bills to Watch – Pension and Healthcare

House Committees Assigned
The Texas House has finally assigned committees and the Appropriations sub-committees began hearing on issues of the budget in the house last week. Below is a listing of members of some of the committees TSEU deals with the most.

House Appropriations Committee:
Jim Pitts, Chair
Sylvester Turner, Vice Chair
Jimmie Don Aycock
Angie Chen Button
Warren Chisum
Myra Crownover
Drew Darby
Dawnna Dukes
Craig Eiland
Helen Giddings
Lance Gooden
Scott Hochberg
Eric Johnson
Susan King
Dee Margo
Armando "Mando" Martinez
Ruth Jones McClendon
Doug Miller
Geanie Morrison
John Otto
Diane Patrick
Debbie Riddle
Charles Schwertner
Mark Shelton
Raul Torres
Mike Villarreal
John Zerwas

Calendars Committee:
Todd Hunter, Chair
Dennis Bonnen, Vice Chair
Dan Branch
Garnet Coleman
Byron Cook
Charlie Geren
James "Jim" Keffer
Tracy King
Lois Kolkhorst
Eddie Lucio, III
Allan Ritter
Eddie Rodriguez
Burt Solomons
Vicki Truitt
John Zerwas

Human Services:
Richard Pena Raymond, Chair
Geanie Morrison, Vice Chair
Naomi Gonzalez
Chuck Hopson
Bryan Hughes
Todd Hunter
Jodie Laubenberg
Elliott Naishtat
Van Taylor

Pensions and Investment:
Vicki Truitt, Chair
Rafael Anchia, Vice Chair
Charles "Doc" Anderson
Brandon Creighton
Ana Hernandez Luna
Ken Legler
Barbara Nash
Rob Orr
Marc Veasey

Higher Education:
Dan Branch, Chair
Joaquin Castro, Vice Chair
Roberto Alonzo
Dennis Bonnen
Fred Brown
Donna Howard
Eric Johnson
Tryon Lewis
Diane Patrick

Criminal Jurisprudence:
Pete Gallego, Chair
Will Hartnett, Vice Chair
Jose Aliseda
Cindy Burkett
Stefani Carter
Wayne Christian
Yvonne Davis
Eddie Rodriguez
Bill Zedler

TSEU testifies at the Capitol
Wednesday, February 16: House Appropriations Sub Committee on Human Services, DADS Hearing
TSEU member Edmundo Ruiz (El Paso State Center) and outreach coordinator Mimi Garcia testified at the House Appropriations Sub-committee on Article II hearings about the state supported living centers and the budget. "We employees with take our jobs very seriously and genuinely care about the clients we serve," Mr. Ruiz testified. "As staff members we develop relationships with parents and guardians. One of their biggest fears is that legislature will decide to close a center and their loved ones will be shipped across the state, making visits virtually impossible, especially for our older parents. Closures could have the inadvertent effect of breaking up families."
Ms. Garcia testified on behalf of TSEU, "Texas residents with developmental disabilities need and deserve top quality services. TSEU asks that the Texas legislature adopt policies and approve funding to support a full continuum of care system for all Texans who need services." TSEU also called on the committee to consider alternatives to cutting programs. "Texans deserve better than this, we cannot afford these cuts. We're asking you to use all of the Rainy Day Fund, find new revenue, maximize federal funding, and close wasteful tax exemptions and loopholes."
Throughout the public testimony, community members, owners of ICF/MRs and community services, and parents spoke against the funding and Medicaid cuts. Over 100 people were registered to testify.

Wednesday, February 16: House Appropriations Sub Committee on Human Services, DFPS Hearing
               Mimi Garcia, outreach Coordinator, testified on behalf of TSEU at the house hearing on the DFPS budget. In her testimony Ms. Garcia said, "Eliminating over 700 positions in CPS guarantees dangerously high caseloads. Impossibly high caseloads lead directly to worse outcomes for children and families. Ignoring these facts means that more children will be abused, and more children will be killed by their abusers because warning signs were missed. In the real world, child abuse doesn't go away when we close our eyes and ears, then pretend it won't be so bad for the kid in the future. Unfortunately, that is exactly what the proposed budget calls for."
                Rep. Dawnna Dukes (D-Austin), asked about the kind of impact the turnover rates has on case workers' ability to protect children. Rep. Craig Eisland (D-Galveston) responded to TSEU's call for using the Rainy Day Fund by saying "We will most likely use the fund. Whether we use all of it or only use half of it now still needs to be decided. Unfortunately that's not going to fix all our problems."

Tuesday, February 22: House Committee on Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Hearing
                On Tuesday, February 22^nd, TSEU Political Director, Derrick Osobase, testified before the House committee on Pensions, Investments & Financial Services. "We fully understand that legislators will have their hands full trying to balance the budget, and that the first inclination of some people will be to balance the budget by further eroding benefits for state employees. But let me remind you that state employees' pay continues to lag behind the standard of living by 28%, and due to the budget, legislators have said that there will be no pay increases in the upcoming session. This means state employee's pay will either stay stagnant or lose even more ground."
                Mr. Osobase went on to explain that structural changes to the pension fund will hurt lower paid employees and current retirees the hardest. Because ERS hasn't approved a cost of living adjustment of retirees or a 13^th check for 10 years, all retirees are hurting. Furthermore, despite the recession, turnover in the state remains high (31% at State Supported Living Centers, 23% at TYC, 25% at CPS), cuts to state employee benefits like pension and healthcare will make it increasingly difficult for the state to attract and maintain qualified employees

Mini Lobby Days
February 9, 2011: University Caucus Mini Lobby Day
University union activists from all over Texas came to Austin to meet with their legislators at the capitol. They asked lawmakers to stop the cuts to higher education funding currently being discussed by the legislature. These proposed cuts would assuredly result in layoffs, furloughs, and cuts to employee benefits. They would also further erode the quality and affordability of public higher education in Texas.
Janie Pena (UTPA), Gloria Gilpatrick (UTPA), Blanca Aleman (UTPA), Joe Angulo (UTPA), Vicky Rodriguez (TTHSC – El Paso), Miguel Torres (TTHSC – Lubbock), Rose Garza (UTHSCSA), Jeanine Honohono (UT- MD Anderson), Judy Aronson (UTMB), A.J. Davis (U of H), Karen Charleston (Prairie View A&M), Kenyatta Jolivet (Prairie View A&M), Lee Demers (Prairie View A&M), William Blake (UT- Austin), Teri Adams (UT-Austin), Philip Mullins (UT-Austin), Jason Tasset (UT-Austin), Kathryn Kenefick (UT- Austin), Judy Holloway (UT- Austin) and Will Wise (UT- Austin) participated in the day.
In all, 20 members met with 21 legislators and their staffers about the cuts and made a strong case about the need for more higher education funding, not less. In addition, members discussed plans for building a strong Lobby Day on April 6th, getting out the vote for Karen Charleston, Joe Angulo, and Julien Devereux's TRS campaigns, and talking to local and county government officials about joining TSEU's fight against the brutal budget cuts.
For more information contact Ted Hooker at thooker@cwa-tseu.org.

February 16, 2011: State Supported Living Centers and State Hospitals Mini Lobby Day
The SSLC/State Hospital mini-lobby day went very well. We had 18 in attendance with 10 facilities represented. That was 8 DADS/SSLC's and 2 DSHS/MH facilities. This was our first attempt at a joint caucus effort by the 24 hour care facilities after trying to do them separately based on agency lines created with the consolidation of HHSC agencies. Activists have been expressing a desire to re-merge them for a while.
                On Feb. 16 our State Supported Living Center/State Hospital Caucus held its Mini-Lobby Day. Showing up to fight threats of closure and privatization and a host of other threats to our clients/patients and to our jobs and benefits were: Marta Garza, Lubbock SSLC; Diane Martinez and Edmundo Ruiz, El Paso SSLC; Carmen Duron, Corpus Christi SSLC; Robert Quinn, Rio Grande State Center; Janet Cook, Austin SSLC; Yolanda White and Hazel Roden, Lufkin SSLC; Shawn Prather, San Antonio SSLC; Arthur Valdez, San Antonio State Hospital; Marina Galvan, San Angelo SSLC; Sherri Gilliard, Pauline Darcus and Debra Coleman, Brenham SSLC.
                Edmundo Ruiz delivered well received testimony on behalf of the Union to the House Appropriation Committee hearing on DADS. Five teams of members spread out through the capital and delivered the union's message to 32 Representatives and Senators. 1. Our clients and patients need the care they receive at the SSLC's and State Hospitals, the cuts are unnecessary. 2. We have a plan: A. Use the rainy day fund B. Fix the loopholes in the property tax fiasco, C. Maximize use of available federal money.
For more information contact Jim Branson at jbranson@cwa-tseu.org.

Bills to Watch – Pension and Healthcare

Support
HB 60, by Rep. "Mando" Martinez
Relating to a cost of living increase applicable to benefits paid by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
Mandates a COLA for TRS retirees under certain economic conditions
Bill Status: Referred to Pensions, Investment and Financial Services Committee

HB 731, by Chuck Hopson
Relating to the state contribution to, and certain annuities under, the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
Allows greater contribution to TRS funds from the state.
Bill Status: Referred to Pensions, Investment and Financial Services Committee

HB 832, by Jose Lozano
Relating to a cost of living increase applicable to benefits paid by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
Recommends a COLA for TRS retirees
Bill Status: Referred to Pensions, Investment and Financial Services Committee

HB 917, by Alma Allen
Relating to benefits paid by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
Recommends COLA for TRS retirees
Bill Status: Filed

Oppose
HB 762, by Jose Lozano
Relating to establishing a pill splitting program to reduce health plan costs for certain public employees.
Establishes voluntary program where doctors can proscribe larger does to members of certain medications and members would split pills for the right dose.
Bill Status: Filed

HB 1003, by Chuck Hopson
Relating to a deferred retirement option for certain members of the Employees Retirement System of Texas.
Bill Status: Filed

HB 1362, by Jodie Laubenberg
Relating to the creation of a voluntary consumer-directed health plan for certain individuals eligible to participate in the insurance coverage provided under the Texas Employees Group Benefits Act and their qualified dependents.
Essentially establishes program similar to a defined contribution health plan with high deductibles and limited care. Plan could also damage other state employees' health insurance pool by removing younger, healthier members from the insurance pool.
Bill Status: Filed

******************************************************************************

To add or remove your name to/from the list for these broadcasts (you must be a TSEU member):
     send an email to tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org
     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
     call your TSEU office

To contact TSEU for more information or for materials:
     Austin: 512 448-4225
     Houston: 713 661-9030
     San Antonio: 210 354-2900
     Dallas: 214 942-4305
     Harlingen: 956 428-0251
     Lubbock: 806 741-0044

For information about contacting your state legislators, go to the TSEU website
http://www.cwa-tseu.org/hhsc_fdstmp_contact.html

Fwd: National conference call on Wisconsin & more. Tonight 6:30

2011-02-24T05:03:00.001-06:00

From: "TSEU Broadcast" <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>
Date: February 23, 2011 1:01:17 PM CST
To: <tseu-notice@server.cwa-tseu-mail.org>
Subject: National conference call on Wisconsin & more. Tonight 6:30
Reply-To: <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>

Join thousands of other CWA members:
National Virtual Town Hall on Public Employee Union collective bargaining rights
TONIGHT! 6:30 Pm CENTRAL TIME
registration: http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/cwa_call
call info (should work if you can't register): call 888-886-6603, then meeting number 16268 + hit " #" key.

Dear Fellow TSEU members:

Here in Texas we have been inspired and encouraged by fellow public employee union members in other states who are standing up for their union rights as well as for the services we all provide to the people of our states. This national CWA virtual town hall meeting will be a chance to meet some of the people who are making the news.

We don't know how late they will be taking registrations, which are on-line. The link to register is http://www.cwa-union.org/pages/cwa_call. I believe that the numbers above will allow any TSEU member to get onto the call, but you should try to register if you can.

In solidarity

Mike Gross
Vice President

Across the country, Americans are standing up and fighting for their collective bargaining rights. Photos and videos from Wisconsin have been thrilling. More than 100,000 people have taken to the streets and filled the rotunda of the State Capitol.
1. CWA members are responding in every state where collective bargaining rights are under attack and we need your voice in this fight. On Wednesday, February 23 at 7:30 pm EST, please join CWA President Larry Cohen and the CWA National Executive Board for a virtual town hall and hear directly from local leaders in Wisconsin, Ohio and New Jersey. During the call you will learn more about how we are responding and what you can do and have an opportunity to ask questions.
Click here to register.
Our movement is spreading. Sign up for the virtual town hall today with your preferred phone number and we will call you on Wednesday to connect you to the meeting. If you plan to participate using your mobile phone, you can also register by texting CWACALL to 69866.
It couldn't be easier, or more critical, to participate.

Fwd: TDCJ lays off more than 500, Puts public safety as risk

2011-02-24T05:02:00.001-06:00

From: "TSEU Broadcast" <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>
Date: February 23, 2011 3:57:26 PM CST
To: <tseu-notice@server.cwa-tseu-mail.org>
Subject: TDCJ lays off more than 500, Puts public safety as risk
Reply-To: <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mimi Garcia
January 7, 2011 512-448-4225 (office)
512-814-9347 (cell)

TDCJ lays off more than 500, Puts public safety at risk
Today the Texas Department of Criminal Justice announced their plan to cut more than $40 million from their FY2011 operating budget and lay off more than 550 staff. Over 400 of the layoffs come from administrative and support positions in the agency's parole and correctional institutional divisions. However, 155 of the layoffs come from the proposed elimination of Project RIO, which helps to reintegrate ex-offenders into the workforce.
Project RIO has been shown to diminish a former inmate's likelihood of returning to prison and increase their chances of holding down sustainable employment. "This move by the agency will have a big impact on public safety in Texas," said Mike Gross, Vice-President of the Texas State Employees Union. "Fewer support staff in parole mean that more parole officers will be having to do more and more with already growing case loads. The elimination of Project RIO just means we'll be seeing more offenders end back up in prison."
This latest blow comes in the wake of the Texas Education Agency's announcement yesterday that they will begin laying-off an unknown number of employees.
Governor Perry asked agencies to find an additional 2.5% to cut in FY 2011 to make up for the current $4 billion short fall. "We're putting the public at risk with these kinds of cuts," said Gross. "This is why we need the legislature to find new sources of revenue, use the Rainy Day Fund, and maximize all federal funds. This is just the tip of the iceberg for what our state will be facing in a few months."
-30-

Mini lobby day

2011-02-23T05:14:00.001-06:00

Off to Austin for HHSC mini lobby day.
By the way I am taking annual leave.

Fw: Legislative Update, February 8, 2011

2011-02-20T09:55:00.001-06:00

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION

EMAIL BROADCAST UPDATE TO MEMBERS February 14, 2011.

Legislative Update: 2/8/2011

Due to a variety of technical issues last week we were unable to send you our weekly Legislative Update. Here is last week's update, we will be sending out this week's update tomorrow as regularly scheduled.

Thank you for your patience.

In this issue:

TSEU Mini Lobby Days: Parole

The Senate Hears from the Public

Impact of HB 1 on Group Health Insurance Benefits

Legislators are saying the only option is to cut services, but do they really mean it?

TSEU's plan to Fight Back against the Cuts

Rep. Villarreal's Petition

Get involved/Stay in the loop

TSEU Mini Lobby Days: Parole

Throughout the legislative session, TSEU members are going to the capitol in caucus groups to lobby for our most important interests – the work we do, the services we provide, and the resources we need to serve the people of Texas.

Last Wednesday, February 2, union activists in TDCJ/Parole Division from all over Texas came to Austin to meet with their legislators at the capitol. They asked lawmakers to stop the cuts and layoffs currently being discussed by the legislature. Bad weather throughout the state prevented many activists from being able to make the journey to Austin, but despite the weather, Armando Ramos (El Paso), James Nauls (Angleton IPO- Retired), Monica Roque (Galveston), Janie Medrano-Arispe (McAllen), Glen Llanez (Midland), and Donna Comeaux (Beaumont) participated. In all, members met with 11 legislators and their staffers about the cuts and made a strong case about the need for more Parole staff, not less. In addition, members discussed plans for building a strong Lobby Day on April 6^th, getting out the vote for Bob Stewart's ERS Board campaign, and talking to local and county government officials about joining TSEU's fight against the brutal budget cuts.

For more information about the TDCJ/Parole Division Caucus, contact Seth Hutchinson at shutchinson@cwa-tseu.org.

Below is a schedule of the upcoming Lobby Days. Please get in touch with your organizer or the caucus chair and get involved! We need your voice now more than ever. And everyone should be at the big statewide Lobby Day on April 6^th!

February 9^th Universities and Health Science Centers

February 16^th State Supported Living Centers and State Hospitals (old MHMR)

February 23^rd Health and Human Services and DADS Long Term Care (old DHS)

March 2^nd Family and Protective Services

March 9^th Department of State Health Services

March 16^th Texas Youth Commission

March 23^rd Retiree's Organizing Committee (Retirees from the state and universities)

April 6^th TSEU Statewide Lobby Day, be there!

The Senate Hears from the Public

The Senate Finance Committee, the committee that is responsible for making the important decisions on every aspect of the budget, heard from parents, advocates, and concerned citizens from across the state last week. After agency heads from Health and Human Services Commission finished testifying about the cuts, hundreds of people lined up to testify against Senate Bill 1. Many parents gave heart felt testimony about how they would affect their children if implemented. One woman brought her two small children up to show how the importance of early childhood intervention (ECI) programs through DARS had helped her children. Both were early pre-term births that needed extensive therapy that was provided through this state-run service. Without the state ECI services, which are on the block for huge funding cuts, her family would not have been able to cover the out-of-pocket costs for this much needed therapy.

Advocates for the elderly and mentally ill urged committee members to consider other options to deal with the budget shortfall. Some testified that the cuts would mean certain death for those who are in nursing homes that will be closed if this budget passes. Doctors and other medical professionals warned the committee that any further cuts in provider rates would cause more doctors to drop out of Medicaid, CHIP, and other federally funded match programs.

Last week's huge turn out and emotional testimony made it clear that the budget cuts will affect everyone. Whether it's the middle class mother of two who was denied coverage for her children's treatment or the elderly woman who was afraid of being kicked out of her nursing home, one thing for sure is that the poor are not the only people on state services. Lots of middle class families filled the committee room last week asking legislators to take a balanced approach to balancing the budget.

Impact of HB 1 on Group Health Insurance Benefits

According to ERS's analysis, HB 1 baseline appropriation of $2.49 billion is $591 million less than required in the Group Benefits Program. Without additional funds for cost increases, rising utilization, higher prices, or health care reform, significant changes to the plan will be needed. The current level of health insurance benefits will have to be reduced by 19% at the HB 1 baseline level of funding.

In order to operate at the baseline funding level (HB 1) there will need to be a reduction in the state's contribution for health care coverage.

Current employer contribution of 100% of the member only retiree premium would decrease to 80%. This could create a new monthly premium of about $95.53 for member-only coverage.

The employer contribution for dependent coverage would decrease from the current 50% of premium to 40% of premium. This could increase the cost of coverage for member and family about $135.82.

Secondly, restructuring the plan as a high deductible health insurance plan (HAS) with one of the two options:

A. $2,400 deductible with the plan paying 80% after the deductible is met. In addition to the deductible, each participant would pay $2,000 in coinsurance before the plan started paying 100%. The member's total out-of-pocket liability would be $4,400 for single coverage, and $11,900 for family coverage.

B. $3,400 deductible with the plan paying 100% after the deducible is met. The member's total out-of-pocket liability would be $3,400 for single coverage, and $11,900 for family coverage.

If a high-deductible plan was implemented, a tax-advantaged health savings account (HSA) could be made available to employees and retirees up to age 65. Single members could contribute $3,050 per year to an HSA and families could contribute $6,150 per year to an HSA. Unspent balances could be rolled forward at the end of the plan year.

If all five of the proposed LBB options were implemented (that we laid out in previous updates), the estimate savings would be $444 million, which is $ 147 million shy of the $591 million shortfall.

LBB recommendations:

Reduce the state contribution for health insurance to 90%

Implement a tobacco user surcharge on health insurance premiums

Implement a tiered coinsurance plan for state employees

Establish a pill-splitting program

Implement a tiered contribution plan for state retirees, based on years of state service

However, all of these recommendations would be disastrous for state employees. A cut to benefits without an increase in pay is a cut in pay.

Legislators are saying the only option is to cut services, but do they really mean it?

Now that the potential impact from the cuts is hitting home some are quietly looking for ways to keep their districts untouched. Many counties and cities heavily depend on revenue from the state. Lawmakers who represent big state facilities or groups of public employees will be hard pressed to explain to their constituents why the biggest employer in their area no longer exists or why the school district had to close two elementary schools. Most legislators understand that protecting their districts is the number one priority.

Factions have begun to form in the legislature as members see how the cuts affect their districts. One faction wants to use the Rainy Day Fund and look at fixing the business tax, also known as the franchise tax, in order to raise more revenue. The other group believes they were elected by large margins in November because the people wanted less government this session. As the process gets underway in the house the tension between the groups will become more and more visible. This could be an opportunity for TSEU and other advocate groups to pressure and form relationships with lawmakers who understand the dangers of an all-cuts approach to the budget. The most effective way to pressure politicians is in their districts. History has shown us that lawmakers respond to issues when they know their constituents care about a particular issue. Join TSEU's statewide mobilization against the budget cuts by organizing co-workers, coming to lobby day, and contacting your local government.

TSEU's plan to Fight Back against the Cuts – We need your help!

State services are under attack. All budget proposals slash deep cuts into the fabric of Texas. The budget cuts mean thousands of Texans will be out of work, schools will be more crowded, our streets less safe, and millions of us who are having a hard enough time in the economy will be left without even the most basic of resources.

TSEU is fighting back! We are fighting back with a massive statewide strategy to demand a better Texas. We can and must do better. And you are a part of this solution. We are going to need the efforts and the energy of ALL TSEU members, their friends, and their families to turn this state around.

First, we must have an all-out push for organizing. Our number one problem as state workers is not the budget, it is not the pay, it isn't even the work load. Our number one problem is that we are not organized. And without an organization we will never be able to fully defend and fight for what is right in this state. Organizing is not just the work of paid staff, is the work of all union members to ask their coworkers, families, and friends to join the union and put their money where their mouth is.

Secondly, we must have a full on mobilization to call our legislators. Politicians are by their nature political and should and will be responsive to pressure from their constituents. We need to be calling our legislators and asking them to oppose the cuts, find revenue, use the Rainy Day Fund, and support a balanced approach to writing this budget. Each of us needs to make that call and to get our friends and families to call as well. To find your legislators go to http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/.

As a companion to the call-in campaign, we are currently undertaking a statewide post card campaign to "STOP THE CUTS!" Contact your organizer to get a stack of post cards. If you don't already know your organizer, go to the link below for a full list of TSEU organizers and staff.

We need to take this message to our local governments. When the state cuts funding for programs often the burden falls to counties and cities to make up the difference. Local governments are often even less able to pay for these programs. Go to your city council, council members, county commissioners, commissioners' court, and school boards and ask them to pass resolutions and write letters in support of state services and against the budget cuts. We are currently working on packets with county impacts of the cuts. Get in touch with TSEU and your organizer to help.

Finally, we are helping to build a statewide coalition of organizations who are standing up for a better Texas. If you are a member of a church, synagogue, civic group, PTA, or any organization that believes that we need a more balanced approach to our state budget, please ask them to join TexasForward (http://www.txforward.org/).

Rep. Villarreal's Petition

State representative Mike Villarreal (D- San Antonio), has a petition addressed to Gov. Perry supporting "a comprehensive review of our state's tax system, focused on creating a revenue stream that keeps pace with the growing needs of the Texas economy. We must eliminate wasteful tax loopholes that cost our state billions. And finally, we must consider tapping the state's Rainy Day Fund in combination with developing a plan to put the state on sound fiscal ground beyond this current budget."

You can read and sign the petition here:

http://www.mikevillarreal.com/Action/SignaPetition/tabid/81/Default.aspx

Get involved/Stay in the loop

TSEU has a facebook page! Become a fan today. http://www.facebook.com/CWA.TSEU

Want to get text updates from the Capitol? Email your cell phone number to Derrick Osobase at dosobase@cwa-tseu.org.

******************************************************************************

To add or remove your name to/from the list for these broadcasts (you must be a TSEU member):

send an email to tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org

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

call your TSEU office

To contact TSEU for more information or for materials:

Austin: 512 448-4225

Houston: 713 661-9030

San Antonio: 210 354-2900

Dallas: 214 942-4305

Harlingen: 956 428-0251

Lubbock: 806 741-0044

For information about contacting your state legislators, go to the TSEU website

http://www.cwa-tseu.org/hhsc_fdstmp_contact.html

Fwd: Houston, COPE Meeting tomorrow

2011-02-02T12:12:00.001-06:00

Subject: Houston, COPE Meeting tomorrow
Reply-To: <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION
EMAIL BROADCAST UPDATE TO MEMBERS   February 1, 2011.

Houston COPE members,

Now is the time to get involved. We have a very steep hill to climb this legislative session, lawmakers are proposing deep cuts to state services, personnel, and our benefits. There is a steady drum beat that conservatives and like-minded groups continue to beat. They are taking their message to our cities and our communities all over the state, calling for deep cuts in services and no new revenue. These cuts if implement threaten to shut down hundreds of nursing homes, canceling programs for the mentally ill, endanger children, and further erode the state's ability to delivery services to Texans.

These threats are very real, and it's time that we provide a real response. TSEU's plan is to confront these attacks head on and defend state services by:
1. All out organizing: It will take a large and committed grassroots movement to move the political debates away from budget slashing. No amount of public advocacy, communications with legislators, or other mobilization efforts will stop the attacks unless they are based on a large and growing organization of committed state employees.

2. Calls to legislators: TSEU members will start a massive campaign of calls from state employees and other voters to the legislators who represent them, calling on these elected representatives to oppose massive cuts and support a balanced approach.

3. Post card campaign: as a companion to the call-in campaign, TSEU members will generate thousands of post cards from constituents to legislators, calling on them to oppose massive cuts and support a balanced approach.

4. Lobby Day and Mini Lobby Days: TSEU will mobilize thousands of members to show up in Austin for Lobby Day and the mini lobby days in a massive show of opposition to the cuts and determination to win more balanced policies.

5. Take the message out to local governments: TSEU will undertake an effort to have members meet with local governments, chambers of commerce, and other bodies. We will make it clear what the proposed cuts in the state budget mean for local economies, and ask these bodies to communicate to legislators a demand that other solutions besides massive cuts be found.

6. Help build a coalition: TSEU will continue to work with Texas Forward and other organizations to build a united grassroots movement that demands responsible revenue and budget policies for our state. Members will ask our church civic groups to join the Texas Forward coalition

We'll discuss in the COPE meeting how we get started on beating back these attacks and updates from the legislature.

Place: Houston office
9247 South main

Time: 6:30pm

Date: February 2^nd

******************************************************************************

To add or remove your name to/from the list for these broadcasts (you must be a TSEU member):
     send an email to tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org
     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
     call your TSEU office

To contact TSEU for more information or for materials:
     Austin: 512 448-4225
     Houston: 713 661-9030
     San Antonio: 210 354-2900
     Dallas: 214 942-4305
     Harlingen: 956 428-0251
     Lubbock: 806 741-0044

For information about contacting your state legislators, go to the TSEU website
http://www.cwa-tseu.org/hhsc_fdstmp_contact.html

Fwd: TSEU Legislative Update, February 1, 2011

2011-02-02T12:11:00.001-06:00

Subject: TSEU Legislative Update, February 1, 2011
Reply-To: <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION / CWA LOCAL 6186
In this issue:
Get text updates on your cell phone
Senate Bill 1: Second Verse, Same as the First
State Worker Pensions
State Worker and Retiree Health Care Continues to be discussed at the Legislature
Legislators zero out SKIP for CHIP
Senate Committees
Senate Finance Committee Hearings: Deficit Continues to Grow
Bills to Watch
TSEU Legislative Update
February 1, 2011
Get text updates on your cell phone
If you would like to receive updates from the capitol on your cell phone, email your cell phone number to Derrick Osobase (dosobase@cwa-tseu.org).

Senate Bill 1: Second Verse, Same as the First
Last week SB 1, the Texas Senate's version of the budget, came out. While the proposed Senate budget is strikingly similar to the House version, there are a couple of key differences. Like the House budget the Senate's budget is written without using any of the Rainy Day Funds, does not replace the one-time federal stimulus money, and does not account for growth. Unlike the House bill, the Senate bill maximizes use of dedicated funds.
The bottom line is that the senate's version allocates about $2.3 billion more that the house version and lays off about 1,400 fewer FTEs. However, the shortfall to maintain services in the state and account for increased population growth is still around $25-27 billion and the consequences of the drastic program and staffing cuts are enormous.
Similar to the proposed house budget some of the senate budget proposals include:
10% provider rate cut for Medicaid
Closure of at least onr State Supported Living Center
Privatization of at least 2 State Mental Health Hospitals
Reduction of 124 FTEs in State Mental Health Hospitals
Reduction of 749.5 FTEs from DFPS in foster care, adoption, and TANF childcare programs
Higher Education funding cut by $1.09 billion
Reduction of 503.3 FTEs at TYC facilities and closure of some facilities
Elimination of funding for Project Reintegration of Offenders (RIO)at TWC

State Worker Pensions
On Thursday, January 27th, House Chairwoman Vikki Truitt and Senate Chairmen Robert Duncan hosted a briefing on the state of Texas pension and health care plans.
Chairwoman Truitt spent about hour explaining the differences between Texas's pension plan and others states that find their pensions in trouble. She further went on to make the case for the advantages of the define benefit plan. Chairwoman Truitt citied that defined benefit plans, like our current ERS/TRS pension plans, promote longevity amongst the workforce, this helps keep turnover low in our agencies. Rep. Truitt's comments indicated that she supports our current define benefit pension plan and believes it shouldn't be changed.
Former Representative Talmadge Heflin, now the Director of the Center for Fiscal Policy at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a right wing conservative think tank, believes the state should convert its define benefit plan over to a define contribution plan. His primary reason was that tax payers should not be responsible for paying for state employee pension plans that they no longer have. "Municipalities and cities pension plans are becoming a burden on taxpayers across the country. Texas can be a leader in this area by converting to a define contribution type plan and that's what the Center for Fiscal Policy will be proposing to the legislature this session." Mr. Heflin's presentation lacked the facts pertaining Texas's pension plan specifically. Furthermore, there was no evidence why our plan should be converted to defined contribution plans, especially since the Texas pension plan is in the top 5% compared to other states ( 83% funded ratio).
Facts about Texas Pension Plan:
1.-State employees' pension plan make up less than 2% (1.95 exactly) of Texas' budget
2. State retirees do not receive automatic costs of living adjustments (COLA)
3. Texas State employees pay more in contributions to the plan than most other state employees

State Worker and Retiree Health Care Continues to be Discussed at the Legislature
Many recommendations have been floating around the capital regarding health care for state employees and retirees, but some more than others. Some legislators and the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) are voicing concerns about exploding health care costs. Some believe that retirees should pay more out of pocket for themselves and dependents. In a study performed by LBB, they report that some of the highest health care cost to the plan can be attributed to retiree dependents.
Other proposals being floated around the capitol require employees to work for a certain length of time before being eligible for 100% premium coverage. At the January 27th briefing Chairwoman Truitt stated that she was concerned about the price of retiree health care and said, "the legislature should take a look at the issue and decide whether the legislature should continue to provide health care after employment with the state."
Furthermore, in testimony for the Senate Finance Committee on Monday, January 31st, LBB director John O'Brien recommended that current employees start paying 10% of their premiums of which the state currently pays 100%. This would amount to a pay cut for current state employees.

Legislators zeros out SKIP for CHIP
For the past thirteen years, children of state employees who are eligible for health care from the state employee health care plan have been excluded from applying for CHIP. Due to that federal provision the Texas Legislature created State Kids Insurance Plan (SKIP) for state employees to help them pay for their children's medical premiums. Now state employees are eligible to apply for CHIP because of the National Health Care Reform Act signed by President Obama last year. In order to qualify for CHIP there are two requirements.
First the state must meet "Maintenance of Effort." This means that the state must contribute to health benefits on behalf of employees, including dependent coverage, for the most recent state fiscal year. This level cannot be less than the amount it expended in Fiscal Year of 1997 increased for inflation.
Second, the individual worker must meet the requirements of a hardship waiver. This means that the total annual total amount of premiums and cost-sharing for coverage of the family of the child in the state employee plan in more than 5% of the family income.
If the state meets the first condition (maintenance of effort) any child of a state employee that meets the hardship requirement can be enrolled in CHIP. The hardship condition is applicable on a family by family basis.
Because of this change in national law, budget writers have discontinued funding for the "SKIP" program and will encourage the 6,000 state employees who are participating in this program to apply for CHIP. Income eligibility requirements are virtually the same between the two programs.
TSEU will continue to monitor this issue as the budget process goes on. If you have any questions as to how this can affect you and your family please contact Derrick Osobase, (dosobase@cwa-tseu.org) Legislative Director.

Senate Committees
Late last week the Senate set membership for the various committees. Below is a list of committee members for some the committees most relevant for TSEU members. For a complete listing go to:
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/Commit.htm

Senate Finance Committee Hearings: Deficit continues to grow
Monday, January 31st was the first day of hearings for the Senate Finance Committee. The Committee took testimony from the Comptroller's office, the director of the Legislative Budget Board, and began hearing from Article II agencies from the Health and Human Services Commission.
In these hearings John Heleman, Comptroller's chief revenue estimator, was pressed on just how large the state's structural deficit has grown. The persistent $10 billion hole has resulted from years of underperforming business taxes that were intended to fill the hole left by the massive property tax cut in 2006. "That gap is not closing up," said Heleman. Legislators will have to deal with this hole, it's not going away and is the direct result of poor fiscal planning and policy from the legislature.
The finance committee will be taking public testimony on issues in the five human services agencies (HHSC, DADS, DARS, DFPS, DSHS) this week. All members of the public, including state employees who are only representing themselves and not the agency, may testify. Below is the proposed schedule, although it is subject to change. Please be sure to check the schedules at the link below:
http://www.legis.state.tx.us/mytlo/mobile/meetings.aspx?chamber=S
Senate Finance Hearing Schedule-
Tuesday, February 1, 2011: 6:00PM, Committee will begin hearing testimony on all HHS agencies (HHSC, DADS, DARS, DFPS, DSHS), E1.036
Wednesday, February 2, 2011: 9:00AM, Committee will continue hearing public testimony on all HHS agencies (HHSC, DADS, DARS, DFPS, DSHS), E1.036
Thursday, February 3, 2011: 9:00AM, Committee will continue hearing public testimony on all HHS agencies (HHSC, DADS, DARS, DFPS, DSHS), E1.036

Bills to Watch:
HB 60: Support
Cost of living increase to Teacher Retirement System: Sponsored by Rep. Mando Martinez, Establishes a cost of living adjustment based on inflation, growth, and the consumer price index. However the bill also limits the payment of cost of living increases (COLA) to years when the fund is actuarially sound.
HB 471: Opposed
Election through secret ballot of a labor union as the exclusive bargaining representative: Sponsored by Rep. Doc Anderson, Amends current labor code Section 101.1035 to restrict the method in which unions can be elected and established at a work site through secret ballot or mail-in ballot only.
HB 762: Opposed
Establishing pill splitting program to reduce health plan costs for certain public employees: Sponsored by Jose Manuel Lozano, Established a program to allow doctors to proscribe more potent doses of certain medications that individuals may split pills at home to the appropriate dose. The program is voluntary but includes a copay incentive for program participants.
HB 832: Support
Cost of living increase applicable to benefits pay by the Teacher's Retirement System: Sponsored by Rep. Jose Manuel Lozano, Similar to HB 60 (described above) but excludes the section about limiting cost of living increases relative to fund soundness.
SB 218: Opposed
Relating to procedures in certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship and the operation of the child protective services and foster care system: Sponsored by Sen. Jane Nelson. Among other amendments to the family code, the bill established a redesign of the foster care system implementation. Section 9 lays out a plan for expanding foster care privatization basing payment on performance rather than on services utilized.
For more details contact:
MIMI GARCIA
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

CALDERON'S WAR ON THE CARTELS

2011-01-30T10:40:00.000-06:00

opposition politicians in Mexico blame President Calderon for "his" war on the cartels.
For the war that "he" started.
One has to wonder what the heck they are thinking.
While it is true that the scale of the violence has increased exponentially during his administration, the truth is that the roots of this war go way back, and we are all responsible.
The impunity and the lack of respect towards the law began during the PRI administrations, who ruled Mexico for 70 years. And while the PRI never allowed personal dictatorships, each successive president and all the lower office holders, saw their tenure as an opportunity to become rich.
On the local level underpaid police saw nothing wrong in accepting a "mordida", a bribe to let someone who ran a red light go. Judges did the same. Accused felons with money never saw the inside of a jail. And we were all a part of this rotting system.
We were very eager to pay a bribe to be able to introduce products into the country without paying the tax, it was more convenient, and less expensive to just pay the bribe.
In this culture of impunity, and lack of respect to the law, and the insatiable appetite of Americans for illegal drugs, the cartels grew in number, and ruthlessness.
When the PRI finally fell, we all thought that President Fox would cure Mexico of all its rottenness, but one man can not fix a problem created by the entire nation, and six years is not enough to fix what it took almmost a century to create, or rather destroy.
President Fox was also not very keen on taking on controversy, so he just let things continue as they were.
When President Calderon was elected, he decided that he was not going to tolerate lawlessness in Mexico, so he sent in the army.
My question to those that oppose Calderon's war is this: what would they do? Would they just let the cartels continue with their private armnies to kidnap, extort, torture and maim unchecked?
What other alternative do we have?

CONTINUING ATTACKS ON HISPANICS

2011-01-28T19:22:00.000-06:00

Arizona continues it attacks on Hispanics, now with a bill that would deny citizenship to children that are born of undocumented aliens.
I think if the law passes, it will be knocked down by the supreme court.
It is very likely that Texas will also follow suit, given the current make up of the Legislature.
This should be a wake up call for people who need to realize that votes matter. And not voting, is acutally a vote for those who do not wish us well.
We need to remind those that attack Hispanics that there is another election coming up, as there always is, and we remember.

Fwd: TSEU News Bulletin: Losing 9,600 state FTEs could mean more than 23,000 jobs lost across Texas

2011-01-26T18:41:00.001-06:00

Subject: TSEU News Bulletin: Losing 9,600 state FTEs could mean more than 23,000 jobs lost across Texas

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION / CWA LOCAL 6186
Multiplier Effect: Losing 9,600 state FTEs could mean more than 23,000 jobs lost across Texas

In an interview this week with the Public News Service, Eva Deluna Castro of the Center for Public Policy Priorities warned of the greater damage that could be done to Texas by cutting almost 10,000 state jobs. "There is a multiplier effect. When you eliminate a public-sector job, its like 2.4 jobs are lost. For every single public sector job that is eliminated 1.4 jobs in the private sector are lost, " said Castro.
This is called the multiplier effect.
The proposed budget bill that came from the Texas House of Representatives calls for the elimination of more than 9,600 full time staff from the state budget. Taken into account with the multiplier effect, this could amount to the loss of over 23,000 jobs in the economy. The Senate's version of the budget that came out this week recommends cutting slightly fewer positions, about 8,167. However that could still mean the loss of more than 19,600 jobs across the state.
Coupled with projected losses to public school funding that may eliminate as many as 100,000 kindergarten through 12th grade public school employees, the final cost for the state's economy could add up to more than 263,000 lost jobs.
The Texas multiplier effect has been well-researched, with Castro pointing out that it is commonly used to argue in favor of business tax incentives - but is rarely examined when jobs are lost. She adds that another consideration in the budget debate and state layoffs has to do with the kinds of positions that would be eliminated.
"The state is a huge contributor to the economy through health care and through schools, both of which are the largest employers - at least, in most communities."
Texas legislator, Rep. Mike Villareal (San Antonio), is proposing an amendment to the state budget that would require the state to calculate the extent of job loss associated with the massive funding cuts. "The Republican budget proposal would destroy thousands of jobs as Texas families still struggle with a high unemployment rate," said Rep. Villareal. "We need to make sure legislators understand the impact of the budget before the vote on it."
For more details contact:
MIMI GARCIA
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

2011-01-26T17:56:00.001-06:00

Subject: TSEU Legislative Update

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION / CWA LOCAL 6186

TSEU Legislative Update
January 24, 2011
For more details contact:
MIMI GARCIA
TSEU Austin Office
512.448.4225

www.cwa-tseu.org
On the first day of the legislative session, Tuesday January 11, 2011, TSEU members visited all 180 legislators' offices to distribute our 2011 Legislative Agenda and meet the new and returning legislators. Austin ROC members Leslie Cunningham, Steve Bradley, Vicki Clark-Bradley, Hank Leithner, Janie Aguilar, Travis Benford, and Elaine Blodgett were joined by William Blake (UT-Austin), Alice Navarro (FPS-Austin), Charles Shedd (HHSC-Austin), James Nauls (ROC-Houston, TSEU Board Member), Jerry Wald (ROC-Houston).
Items in our legislative agenda include:
Protect employees' pension and health care plans
No more privatization
Fully fund all state agencies and universities
Preserve and expand state employees' right to justice on the job
Stop the erosion of state employees' pay
Budget Watch:
Last Tuesday night the House's budget proposal landed in legislators' offices and TSEU's legislative team was there to take a first look. While elements of the budget require greater analysis, we can give you a breakdown of what is being proposed.
It is important to understand that this budget bill was written with only the money the state comptroller estimated will be available for 2012-2013. It does not replace any of the over $6 billion in federal stimulus money the state used in 2009 to balance the budget; there is no use of the projected $9.4 billion in the Rainy Day Funds, and no growth in population or increased need was included. This budget is $30 billion less than the current budget and all agencies take huge hits.
Employees Retirement System (ERS): The state reduces its contribution from 6.95% to the constitutionally mandated 6.0%. Increased employee contributions are not included in the budget, but they are not off the table. There are several proposed changes to employees' health insurance including:

Rider 6 creates an incentive program for employees to waive ERS health insurance: This proposed program would pay workers who do not enroll in the ERS health insurance program $60 a month for other health coverage.

Rider 13 establishes tiered coinsurance. Currently employees pay 20% coinsurance on all medical procedures $10,000 or more. Tiers would be added to the insurance so that an individual would pay an additional 5% for procedures costing $10,001-$50,000 and an additional 2% on procedures above $50,000 up to $100,000.

Rider 14 creates a tobacco surcharge. Employees who smoke could be required to pay a $30 a month surcharge on their health insurance.

Other recommendations from the Legislative Budget Board that were not included in HB1 include a pill splitting program for prescription drugs, increased premiums for retirees with dependents, and changing the premium contribution from the state based on an employee's years of service.
Teachers Retirement System (TRS): The proposed budget has the state contribution for TRS reduced from 6.4% to 6.0%. This includes the retirement plan for public school teachers, public university staff and lecturers. The state contribution for the Optional Retirement Program (ORP), the retirement plan faculty and upper administration at public universities, was also reduced from 6.4% to 6.0%.
TDCJ-Parole: The proposed budget destabilizes the Law Enforcement and Custodial Officers Supplemental Retirement Fund (LECOSRF) by zeroing out the state's contribution. TSEU won inclusion of parole officers in the 20 year retirement fund in 1999.
Texas Youth Commission (TYC): TYC is losing 553 FTEs, up to three facilities will be closed, and the Juvenile Corrections Officer (JCO) career ladder is unfunded. In addition to these blows in the budget, the Sunset Advisory Commission recommended TYC be shut down and incorporated into the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission to create the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS): In the proposed budget the agency is slated to lose 543 FTEs, two State Supported Living Centers will be closed and a program of "culture change" at the SSLCs will be implemented.

Rider 42 allocates $250,000 to hire someone to oversee a plan of "culture change" at SSLCs.

Rider 43 lays out a process to close two SSLCs, but does not specify which facilities to close.

Rider 44 creates a commission for "realignment" of SSLCs and provides for the travel expenses of this commission.
Department Family and Protective Services(DFPS): The agency is losing 802 FTEs, 400 layoffs will be investigators and case workers. These layoffs will increase caseloads by more than 25% in some areas. Child abuse and neglect prevention programs are cut by 55% with two programs eliminated completely – Other At-Risk Prevention program and Relative Caregiver payments, which provides monetary assistance for family members who take in child relatives.
Department of State Health Services (DSHS): The agency is losing 207.7 FTEs, primarily in the state hospitals. Numerous programs have had their funding reduced significantly or completely lost. Chronic disease prevention – which funds diabetes prevention, Community Primary Care Services – which funds medical clinics in south Texas, and state and community mental health services were among the hardest hit.

Rider 67 calls for the privatization of one state hospital and lays out the process for awarding this contract.
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS): While the agency is losing 42 FTEs, more staffs are lost in vocational rehabilitation services while federally funded positions in the Disability Determination Services are being increased. Several departments' budgets are significantly reduced including Early Childhood Intervention, rehabilitation services for blind children and adults. The new autism program that served hundreds of families with children with autism spectrum disorders between the ages 5 and 8 was completely zeroed out.

Special provisions for the HHSC agencies, Section 2(d), lays out the protocol for a shift differential for staff at the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center. Night shift workers would receive up to 15% monthly pay differential while weekend workers would receive up to a 5% monthly differential.
Health and Human Services (HHSC): The agency is gaining 80.8 FTEs, primarily in the Integrated Eligibility program. This increase does little to fill the hole created by the privatization attempts of 2003. Multiple programs are losing considerable funding. Medicaid funding is being cut by about $4 billion, areas such as coverage for pregnant women (-28%) and medically needy children (-35%) are hardest hit. Other programs to be cut are the CHIP perinatal program (-37%) and alternatives to abortion which was completely zeroed out.

Rider 52 expands managed care for Medicaid and CHIP.

Rider 58 requires HHSC to certify savings associated with closure of a State Supported Living Center. This couples with riders 42-44 of the DADS budget.
Public Higher Education: While we are still completing our analysis on the various public universities in the state, there are some major cuts to public higher education that will affect everyone. Universities are losing about $2 billion across the state. In addition to direct funding cuts at universities, assistance programs for students are being reduced significantly. The Texas Grant scholarship program, alone, would fund 70,000 fewer students.

Bills to Watch:
HJR 5: Filed by Rep. John Otto (HD 18), this bill would essentially place a cap on how much the state could spend every year from tax revenue. This would mean that the state would not be allowed to spend more based on economic growth or population growth. It could tie the states hands for years to come.
SB 218: Filed by Sen. Jane Nelson (SD 12), this bill would completely privatize the oversight and management of the foster care system in DFPS.

TSEU and Texas Forward: Fighting for a balanced approach to a balanced budget
On January 5th TSEU stood with other coalition members at a press conference at the capitol to launch Texas Forward. We are working with other progressive organizations to push for a more balanced approach to writing the state's budget. A balanced approach means using the Rainy Day Fund, finding new revenue, and closing wasteful tax loopholes instead of relying on cuts alone to balance the budget.
For more information on Texas Forward go to: http://www.txforward.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: Budget cuts deep, we deserve better

2011-01-23T07:22:00.001-06:00

Subject: Fwd: Budget cuts deep, we deserve better

Subject: Budget cuts deep, we deserve better
Reply-To: <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION
EMAIL BROADCAST UPDATE TO MEMBERS   January 19, 2011.

This morning TSEU sent out the following press release on the brutal state budget proposal that came out last night. The cuts are deep and affect state workers, but they have a huge impact on the entire state as well. We will fight this! We won't win everything but if we stand by and let it roll over us, we will lose more than we can stand. Now is the time organize and mobilize your coworkers!

Text of the Press Release is below.

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION
1700 S. 1^st Street
Austin, TX 78704

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                          Contact: Mimi Garcia
January 19, 2011                                                                                                                            512-448-4225 (office)
                                                                                                                                                            & ;nbs p;     512-814-9347 (cell)

All Texans are hurt by current budget proposal – We deserve better

The base budget that came out last night shows how bad a cuts-only approach is. Texas cannot afford to leave its people in the dust. This budget means less safe streets, crowded class rooms, middle class families unable to afford send their kids to college, and more people going hungry or unable to get the medical attention they need to live a healthy and productive life.

The budget lays off almost 10,000 front line state workers. This means 10,000 people who will not be shopping or going to restaurants, which will have a major impact on local economies. But when its public employees, it also means that the vital services to the citizens of Texas that these 10,000 people provide will not be delivered. "It has a much stronger impact because front line workers such parole officers, child abuse investigators, and vocational rehabilitation specialists help people to remain safe and thrive in this state," said Mike Gross, vice president of the Texas State Employees Union.

The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), which operates the 12 residential State Supported Living Centers for Texans with severe and profound intellectual and developmental disabilities, took some of the biggest hits with funding cuts. The proposed budget would slash the agency's funding by 38%, meaning thousands of disabled and elderly Texans will be hurt in the process. A 10% slash to Medicaid provider rates means that thousands of Texans with health insurance will have a harder and harder time finding doctors to treat them, not to mention the impact that will have on the medical industry in the state.

"These kinds of cuts are digging a hole so deep that the state won't be able to climb out. At some point this recession will end. Failing to provide for this growing state and cutting costs at all costs will leave Texas ill prepared for the future," said Gross. "Texas is already 50^th in high school completion and health care coverage. This is why need a budget that includes raising revenue and using all of the Rainy Day Fund. Texans deserve better than this."

******************************************************************************

To add or remove your name to/from the list for these broadcasts (you must be a TSEU member):
     send an email to tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org
     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
     call your TSEU office

To contact TSEU for more information or for materials:
     Austin: 512 448-4225
     Houston: 713 661-9030
   San Antonio: 210 354-2900
     Dallas: 214 942-4305
     Harlingen: 956 428-0251
     Lubbock: 806 741-0044

For information about contacting your state legislators, go to the TSEU website
http://www.cwa-tseu.org/hhsc_fdstmp_contact.html

Fwd: Budget cuts deep, we deserve better

2011-01-20T15:20:00.001-06:00

Subject: Budget cuts deep, we deserve better
Reply-To: <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION
EMAIL BROADCAST UPDATE TO MEMBERS   January 19, 2011.

This morning TSEU sent out the following press release on the brutal state budget proposal that came out last night. The cuts are deep and affect state workers, but they have a huge impact on the entire state as well. We will fight this! We won't win everything but if we stand by and let it roll over us, we will lose more than we can stand. Now is the time organize and mobilize your coworkers!

Text of the Press Release is below.

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION
1700 S. 1^st Street
Austin, TX 78704

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                          Contact: Mimi Garcia
January 19, 2011                                                                                                                            512-448-4225 (office)
                                                                                                                                                            &nbs p;     512-814-9347 (cell)

All Texans are hurt by current budget proposal – We deserve better

The base budget that came out last night shows how bad a cuts-only approach is. Texas cannot afford to leave its people in the dust. This budget means less safe streets, crowded class rooms, middle class families unable to afford send their kids to college, and more people going hungry or unable to get the medical attention they need to live a healthy and productive life.

The budget lays off almost 10,000 front line state workers. This means 10,000 people who will not be shopping or going to restaurants, which will have a major impact on local economies. But when its public employees, it also means that the vital services to the citizens of Texas that these 10,000 people provide will not be delivered. "It has a much stronger impact because front line workers such parole officers, child abuse investigators, and vocational rehabilitation specialists help people to remain safe and thrive in this state," said Mike Gross, vice president of the Texas State Employees Union.

The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), which operates the 12 residential State Supported Living Centers for Texans with severe and profound intellectual and developmental disabilities, took some of the biggest hits with funding cuts. The proposed budget would slash the agency's funding by 38%, meaning thousands of disabled and elderly Texans will be hurt in the process. A 10% slash to Medicaid provider rates means that thousands of Texans with health insurance will have a harder and harder time finding doctors to treat them, not to mention the impact that will have on the medical industry in the state.

"These kinds of cuts are digging a hole so deep that the state won't be able to climb out. At some point this recession will end. Failing to provide for this growing state and cutting costs at all costs will leave Texas ill prepared for the future," said Gross. "Texas is already 50^th in high school completion and health care coverage. This is why need a budget that includes raising revenue and using all of the Rainy Day Fund. Texans deserve better than this."

******************************************************************************

To add or remove your name to/from the list for these broadcasts (you must be a TSEU member):
     send an email to tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org
     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
     call your TSEU office

To contact TSEU for more information or for materials:
     Austin: 512 448-4225
     Houston: 713 661-9030
   San Antonio: 210 354-2900
     Dallas: 214 942-4305
     Harlingen: 956 428-0251
     Lubbock: 806 741-0044

For information about contacting your state legislators, go to the TSEU website
http://www.cwa-tseu.org/hhsc_fdstmp_contact.html

Fwd: Honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2011-01-15T21:42:00.002-06:00

Begin forwarded message:

From: "TSEU Broadcast" <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>
Date: January 14, 2011 11:19:57 AM CST
To: <tseu-notice@server.cwa-tseu-mail.org>
Subject: Honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Reply-To: <tseubroadcast@cwa-tseu.org>

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION / CWA LOCAL 6186

EMAIL BROADCAST TO ALL HOUSTON AREA MEMBERS: MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Houston MLK Day Parade
Monday, January 17, 2011
10:00am - parade begins / 1:00pm - free concert
Parade begins on Texas @ Jackson
The Harris County AFL-CIO and local unions will be marching in the the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade in downtown Houston.
You are invited to march with union brothers and sisters, along with the City of Houston garbage trucks and workers. Dr. King was in Memphis, Tennessee, supporting the Sanitation Workers in their strike when he was assassinated.
Contact the Houston TSEU office if you have any questions.
For more details contact:
MYKO GEDUTIS

TSEU HOUSTON Office
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

What lame duck session?

2010-12-22T19:38:00.001-06:00

The past few days have shown an extaordinarily productive lame duck
session. I am glad to see that the 9-11 rescuers will receive the
medical care that they deserve. Will it be expensive? Absolutely,
but when we are giving "relief" to suffering millionaires, the least
we can do is offer real relief to American heroes.
Another piece of trancendental reform was the repeal of DADT. It was
about time too. All these folks have been asking for is to be able to
serve their country openly. And as for the troops that do not want to
serve with gay troops, well, they have been serving right next to them
since the revolution, but not openly.
I know a lot of my liberal friends are dissapointed with the
President, but he has done, or tried to do what he promised during the
campaign. Politics is the art of the possible, and one has to
compromise to get anything done.

WHY THE DREAM ACT MEANS SO MUCH TO US

2010-12-18T21:44:00.000-06:00

As far as I know, I do not think that I have anybody in my family that is undocumented, now!
At some points in time, a niece in law here and there were undocumented, as well as some nephew in law, here and there.
Republicans want our votes, and at the same time are pushing for ethnic cleansing, and they wonder why we don't want to vote for them?
The "illegals" they are talking about, are not anonymous to us, they are uncle Pancho, tia Maria, and el primo Paco.
They are not anonymous to us, they have names, and they are our family.
The Dream Act represents a real opportunity for young men and women who did not ask to be brought here, to put to use their talent and their valor for their country, the only country they know.
The Senate has refused to give them an opportunity, and it's a shame.

Christmas Season is Here!

2010-12-18T20:59:00.000-06:00

If you are having tamales for breakfast, and tamales for lunch, it
can only mean one thing, the Christmas season is here!!!!!!
Navidad llega ya!!!

Arnulfo Sammuel Almaguer

TSEU News Bulletin

2010-12-17T19:32:00.000-06:00

Perry calls for more cuts in the current budget
. . . Governor Rick Perry, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, and Speaker of the House Joe Strauss (R, San Antonio), in a letter to agency boards and commissioners December 6, 2010 called on agency heads and commissioners to cut an additional 2.5% from their budgets for the current fiscal year. This comes on top of the 5% spending cuts mandated this past Spring and will take effect before the proposed 10% cuts for the coming biennium. . . . Agencies and services that were shielded from the 5% cuts will remain protected from these 2.5% cuts, but the governor urged commissioners to “take a broad view across all programs and services to find savings opportunities.” . . . Although programs such as Medicaid and public education programs are exempt from these cuts, the Austin American Statesman reports that Medicaid reimbursement will be cut back starting February 1, 2011: 1% cut to acute care, 2% cut to nursing homes and home-based and community-based services. It is anticipated that these 2.5% cuts could be slashing $42 million from the 2011 budget. . . . Texas is facing an estimated $25 billion budget short fall when the 82nd session starts January 2011.

Learning

2010-12-17T19:24:00.000-06:00

I am learning to post from my I phone

Test2

2010-12-17T19:22:00.001-06:00

Test2

Test

2010-12-17T19:13:00.001-06:00

Test

Arnulfo Sammuel Almaguer

COMING BACK

2010-12-16T20:39:00.002-06:00

I have lost my voice, and I am trying to find it again, that, and my muse, so to speak.
will try to write again, and hopefully have something meaningful to say.
Let's see what happens.

HHSC CAUCUS

2009-10-09T19:26:00.002-05:00

Will be attending HHSC caucus tomorrow. The agency is still being mismanaged, if you have not yet joined the TSEU, it is time.

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

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

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
March 18, 2011 Furlough Bill filed by the Chair of House Appropriations committee Mini Lobby Days: HHSC, DFPS, DSHS Funding for FY2011 and the Rainy Day Fund Sunset Bill Proposes Merger of Texas Youth Commission and Texas Juvenile Probation Commission See past LegeUpdates and more on the TSEU Legislative Pages. <CLICK HERE> Appropriations Committee Pitts - CHAIR (R) (512) 463-0516 Turner - VICE CHAIR (D) (512) 463-0554 Aycock (R) (512) 463-0684 Button (R) (512) 463-0486 Chisum (R) (512) 463-0736 Crownover (R) (512) 463-0582 Darby (R) (512) 463-0331 Dukes (D)- (512) 463-0506 Eiland (D) (512) 463-0502 Giddings (D) (512) 463-0953 Gooden (R) (512) 463-0458 Hochberg (D) (512) 463-0492 Johnson (D) (512) 463-0586 King (R) (512) 463-0718 Margo (R) (512) 463-0728 Martinez, Armando (D) (512) 463-0530 McClendon (D) (512) 463-0708 Miller, Doug (R) (512) 463-0325 Morrison (R) (512) 463-0456 Otto (R) (512) 463-0570 Patrick (R) (512) 463-0624 Riddle (R) (512) 463-0572 Schwertner (R) (512) 463-0309 Shelton (R) (512) 463-0608 Torres (R) (512) 463-0484 Villarreal (D) (512) 463-0532 Zerwas (R) (512) 463-0657	Furlough Bill filed by the Chair of House Appropriations committee - Pay cut will devastate the state's workforce Representative Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie) filed HB 2720 on March 9th. This bill would direct state agency heads to institute furloughs up to 30 days for state employees. The bill will allow state employees who are furloughed to continue to receive full time health care contribution from the state, however it will reduce the person's compensation for purposes of calculating retirement benefits. State services will be severely damaged by the furlough program. Texans are still in need of services and furloughing state employees means the quality and prompt delivery of services will be diminished. Turnover in many state agencies is dangerously high; furloughs will only make a bad situation worse. This is a full frontal attack on workers and the services that we provide. FIGHT TO STOP FURLOUGHS Buy your ticket to lobby day. Legislators have to see that state employees care about their jobs and the services. Organize your co-worker, we can't stop these attacks alone, we need thousands of state employees standing together to protect the services we provide, our benefits, and jobs. Call your legislator and members of the appropriations committee and ask them to oppose any initiative that would furlough or layoff state employees. (names and numbers listed in left column) Mini Lobby Days:* HHSC On Wednesday, February 23rd, 10 leaders from the TSEU statewide HHSC/DADS caucus came to the capitol to for the TSEU Mini Lobby Day. Samm Almaguer (Houston), Sheila Badzioch (Houston), Yoly Griego (El Paso, ERS Board Member), Lynette Johnson (Houston), Chickitha King (Dallas), Judy Lugo (El Paso, TSEU President), Naiman Rigby (Austin), Charles Shedd (Austin), Maria (Francis) Ortiz (San Antonio), Christina Vargas (El Paso) were in attendance. In all, members met with 22 legislators and their staffers to discuss the proposed budget cuts. Members stressed the immediate need to hire thousands more front-line staff and urged legislators to pass legislation requiring cost-benefit analysis for current and any future contracted eligibility services. In addition, members met to discuss TSEU's plan for defeating the attacks on state employees and services. We will have the largest turn-out ever at the all-agency/university/friends Lobby Day on April 6th. Ask co-workers to join the Union and COPE, get others to sign and send Stop the Cuts Postcards to their legislators, and be the front line of building a coalition to save state services. We also discussed the importance of getting Bob Stewart elected onto the ERS board of trustees. For more information contact Jamie Berry at jberry@cwa-tseu.org or 713-661-9030 DFPS On Wednesday, March 2nd, TSEU activists in DFPS met in Austin for the FPS mini Lobby Day at the Capitol. A list of members who participated follows. Members met with State Legislators and their staff to seek support for our bills to lower caseloads and set caseload goals. We also explained how the proposed budget cuts would affect our clients, and urged all who would listen to find a better way to balance the budget. Our work paid off, and we found more support for our bills. Getting firm commitments to oppose the proposed cuts was more difficult though. We'll have to continue to build pressure to stop the irresponsible cuts in the budget. Before heading to the Capitol, we met at the union office and discussed the various efforts to stop the budget cuts- Lobby Day on April 6th, postcards we're sending to legislators, and most importantly, getting more of our coworkers to join the union. In order to grow, we discussed how we need to ask more non-members to sign up, and get out a clear message that we are fighting for better services for our clients and vulnerable Texans. Coworkers "thinking about it" and "waiting to see what happens" will do nothing to stop the cuts; helping build the union will make a difference. If you work with one of the participants, thank them for taking the time to trek all over the Capitol to get our message out. FPS mini lobby day participants were Elizabeth Goble (Austin), April Cumberbatch (Arlington), Susan Rial (Arlington), Stephanie Diaz (Corpus Christi), Henry Gutierrez (El Paso), Sally Baker (Houston), Christie Fleming (Houston), Patricia Johnson (Houston), Rayetta Riggans (Houston), Harriet Thomas (Houston), Lilly Cisneros (San Antonio), Jim Funk (San Antonio), Karen Gafford (San Antonio), Ray Kirsch (San Antonio), Sonia Samples (San Antonio) DSHS Wednesday, March 9th, members from the Department of State Health Services participated in their own mini lobby day. In attendance were Liz Bruns and KayLin Mueller from the WIC program, Jonathon Poe from the STD/HIV/TB Surveillance program, Joanne Day from the Laboratory, and Karen Bitto from travel reimbursement. The team worked together and did an excellent job presenting the union's issues and concerns about the current budget situation and the states response. Primarily that message was that Texas is last in the country in most indicators of health, mental health, disease prevention, etc. because the state does not adequately fund services. Now is not the time to cut. Now is the time to increase revenue. That message was delivered to the offices of 10 Senators and Representatives. For more information on DSHS and how to get involved with the caucus, contact Jim Branson at jbranson@cwa-tseu.org. Funding for FY2011 and the Rainy Day Fund State comptroller Susan Combs certified earlier this year that the state was running a $4.3 billion deficit for the current budget year. In order to makeup for this shortfall the governor asked agencies to make an additional 2.5% on top of the 5% cuts called for last year. Even with all these cuts the agencies were only able to cut about $1.2 billion from the current budget. In order to cover the difference in the shortfall and the amount cut in the budget, House Appropriations Committee chairman, Rep. Jim Pitts (R-Waxahachie), filed HB 275. This bill would open up the Economic Stabilization Fund (also known as the Rainy Day Fund) to use $4.3 billion in the current budget. Thus began a week long tug of war between Governor Perry of and members of the House, particularly Rep. Pitts. Early last week the governor met with the house Republican Caucus, pushing them to hold firm on their commitment not to use any of the Rainy Day Fund. He claimed that there was more to cut in the budget and he would not approve using the fund until those cuts had been exhausted. Rep. Pitts called a hearing on the bill, after a series of cancelations and rescheduled meetings, invited testimony was taken on Thursday, March 10. Representatives from the governor's office, including former state representative and senator, Ken Armbrister, presented the governor's proposals of cuts and stood firm against using the Rainy Day Fund. On Monday Rep. Pitts invited the governor's office to come to the floor to discuss the use of the bill and was stood up by the office. Tuesday afternoon in a joint press release from the governor's office, the office of the Speaker of the House, Joe Straus, and the Comptroller, Susan Combs, announced that they would approve the use of no more than $3.2 billion of the Rainy Day Fund for the current fiscal year. Between increased sales tax revenue, cuts made from the 5% and 2.5% agency cuts, and the $3.2 billion from the Rainy Day Fund the current fiscal year will be funded and the state will not default or go bankrupt. Use of the Rainy Day Fund now reduces the amount available for FY2012-2013 to $6 billion. However, Governor Perry also stated, "As we craft the next two-year budget, Texas leaders will continue to focus on a more efficient, fiscally responsible government, essential state services, and private sector job creation. I remain steadfastly committed to protecting the remaining balance of the Rainy Day Fund, and will not sign a 2012-2013 state budget that uses the Rainy Day Fund." While this is a move in the right direction, it does not do anything to solve our budget problems for the next budget cycle. TSEU remains committed to pushing for a more balanced approach to writing this state budget. This means using all of the Rainy Day Fund, maximizing all available federal funds, increasing revenue, and fixing the $5 billion a year structural deficit. Sunset Bill Proposes Merger of Texas Youth Commission and Texas Juvenile Probation Commission House Bill 1915 (HB 1915) was heard last week in the House Corrections Committee. The bill is a "shell bill" based off of recommendations from the Sunset Advisory Commission. This legislation, filed by Correction Committee Chairperson Jerry Madden, would merge the Texas Youth Commission and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission. In addition to closing three TYC facilities and possibly six probation offices, the bill would pass the responsibility of caring for and housing youth offenders to the counties. In her testimony on the bill last week, Mimi Garcia, TSEU's Outreach Coordinator testified - It is tempting to think that by closing down state-run facilities and turning these youth over to cheaper, county-run residential facilities the state can save money and help close the immediate budget hole. However, this amounts to an unfunded mandate for county governments, most of which lack the resources, funds, and specialized workforce to deal with the TYC's specialized population of offenders. In addition, leaving it up to individual counties to develop their own programs, standards, and methods of running these facilities will create a patchwork of juvenile justice systems across the state. This will make it extremely difficult for future legislatures to adequately oversee such a wide range of programs. Texas needs a state-run, fully integrated system with uniform standards, goals, and accountability. TSEU supports gradually transitioning TYC towards a system of smaller, residential facilities similar to the nine halfway houses already in operation around the state. These facilities could offer a wide range of programs to better suit the individual needs of incarcerated youth who come to TYC with mental health issues, histories of abuse, drug addictions, and little education. These smaller facilities would allow the state to increase the staff-to-youth ratio and thereby create a safer environment. The issue of long travel times for families of incarcerated youths coming to visit them would be reduced with these small facilities scattered all over the state. These young offenders are here in our communities right now, and if we are not ready to deal with them now, if we do not put the resources into rehabilitating them before they wind up committing even more serious crimes, we will seriously regret our lack of foresight. The problem is real and simply pushing it down the road or trying to ignore it will not make it go away. TYC is holding a series of community meetings on the facility closures over the next several weeks. All TYC members and TSEU members in the community should go to voice how important these facilities are for youth and the community. Community TYC Meeting Schedule: All Meetings held 10am-2pm * March 19, Mart: Mart Community Center, 805 East Bowie Street, Mart, TX March 26, Brownwood: Brownwood High School, 2100 Slayden, Brownwood, TX April 2, Edinburg: University of Texas Pan American, Location on campus TBD April 9, Crockett: Crockett High School, 1600 SW Loop 304, Crockett, TX April 16, Beaumont: TBD April 30, Giddings: Giddings High School Cafetorium, 2337 North Main, Giddings, TX May 7, Corsicana: Navarro College Dawson Auditorium, 3200 West 7th Ave, Corsicana, TX May 14, Gainesville: TBD For more information contact Seth Huchinson at shutchinson@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

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION / CWA LOCAL 6186
		For more details contact: MIKE GROSS TSEU AUSTIN Office 512.448.4225 www.cwa-tseu.org
ERS BOARD OF TRUSTEES CAMPAIGN UPDATE: Ballots come out today - Don't let yours go to waste! ELECT BOB STEWART Ballots will be mailed to every eligible voter in the ERS Board of Trustees election. The ballots will be mailed to the address on file with ERS. Who can vote * All active state agency employees * All Texas legislators and legislative staff * All state judges and court staff * All ERS retirees When do we vote? March 4 – April 8 To use your paper ballot: 1. Be sure you write in the last four digits of your Social Security number in the spaces 2. Be sure you sign your ballot 3. Be sure you print your name 4. Be sure to mark the box to vote 5. Seal your ballot in the envelope that came with the ballot 6. Send in your ballot with other TSEU members where you work (See "Build voter turnout" below) You can also vote on-line: 1. Go to www.ers.state.tx.us 2. Click the VOTE NOW link at the top center of the home page 3. Type in your Employee (ERS) ID an click "SUBMIT" 4. When asked, type in the last four digits of your Social Security number 5.Follow the directions to vote Caution: do note vote more than once. IF YOU DO, ALL YOUR VOTES WILL BE VOID. If you vote on-line, don't use your paper ballot. If you use your paper ballot, don't vote on-line Build voter turnout: make it a group activity Only about 12% of eligible voters voted in the 2009 election. This position is a crucial one and TSEU members are doing everything we can to increase understanding and participation. TSEU members in many locations are doing Get Out The Vote campaigns where they work. Members are setting up ballot boxes, organizing ERS voting lunches, or making a chart of who has voted. Note that all ballots collected will be mailed through the U.S. Post Office, which is the only way ballots can be returned. TSEU members will also have "I Voted for Bob" stickers available for members and non-members who have voted. Join the statewide election committee <CLICK HERE> for more information.	Why it's important We need ERS Board members who will stand up for state employees Since 2003, the Texas Legislature has approved numerous cuts and employee cost hikes in our ERS pension and health plans. Now legislators are considering plans that include: * slashing the state contribution to the pension plans * converting our pensions to 401-k type 'defined contribution' plans * forcing ERS to convert our health plan to a high deductible plan * making employees pay much more out of our paychecks for health coverage * reducing health coverage for retirees State employees need representatives on the ERS Board who will stand up to the politicians, call for full funding of our pension and health care plans and who will oppose all cuts. When the ERS board voted in 2010 to increase employee-paid costs in our health plan, the vote was 6 to 1. Only TSEU member Yolanda Griego voted against the cost increases. Bob Stewart will stand with Yolanda to be a second vote on the Board who will oppose cuts.
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

TEXAS STATE EMPLOYEES UNION / CWA LOCAL 6186
In this issue: Get text updates on your cell phone Senate Bill 1: Second Verse, Same as the First State Worker Pensions State Worker and Retiree Health Care Continues to be discussed at the Legislature Legislators zero out SKIP for CHIP Senate Committees Senate Finance Committee Hearings: Deficit Continues to Grow Bills to Watch TSEU Legislative Update February 1, 2011 Get text updates on your cell phone If you would like to receive updates from the capitol on your cell phone, email your cell phone number to Derrick Osobase (dosobase@cwa-tseu.org). Senate Bill 1: Second Verse, Same as the First Last week SB 1, the Texas Senate's version of the budget, came out. While the proposed Senate budget is strikingly similar to the House version, there are a couple of key differences. Like the House budget the Senate's budget is written without using any of the Rainy Day Funds, does not replace the one-time federal stimulus money, and does not account for growth. Unlike the House bill, the Senate bill maximizes use of dedicated funds. The bottom line is that the senate's version allocates about $2.3 billion more that the house version and lays off about 1,400 fewer FTEs. However, the shortfall to maintain services in the state and account for increased population growth is still around $25-27 billion and the consequences of the drastic program and staffing cuts are enormous. Similar to the proposed house budget some of the senate budget proposals include: 10% provider rate cut for Medicaid Closure of at least onr State Supported Living Center Privatization of at least 2 State Mental Health Hospitals Reduction of 124 FTEs in State Mental Health Hospitals Reduction of 749.5 FTEs from DFPS in foster care, adoption, and TANF childcare programs Higher Education funding cut by $1.09 billion Reduction of 503.3 FTEs at TYC facilities and closure of some facilities Elimination of funding for Project Reintegration of Offenders (RIO)at TWC State Worker Pensions On Thursday, January 27th, House Chairwoman Vikki Truitt and Senate Chairmen Robert Duncan hosted a briefing on the state of Texas pension and health care plans. Chairwoman Truitt spent about hour explaining the differences between Texas's pension plan and others states that find their pensions in trouble. She further went on to make the case for the advantages of the define benefit plan. Chairwoman Truitt citied that defined benefit plans, like our current ERS/TRS pension plans, promote longevity amongst the workforce, this helps keep turnover low in our agencies. Rep. Truitt's comments indicated that she supports our current define benefit pension plan and believes it shouldn't be changed. Former Representative Talmadge Heflin, now the Director of the Center for Fiscal Policy at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a right wing conservative think tank, believes the state should convert its define benefit plan over to a define contribution plan. His primary reason was that tax payers should not be responsible for paying for state employee pension plans that they no longer have. "Municipalities and cities pension plans are becoming a burden on taxpayers across the country. Texas can be a leader in this area by converting to a define contribution type plan and that's what the Center for Fiscal Policy will be proposing to the legislature this session." Mr. Heflin's presentation lacked the facts pertaining Texas's pension plan specifically. Furthermore, there was no evidence why our plan should be converted to defined contribution plans, especially since the Texas pension plan is in the top 5% compared to other states ( 83% funded ratio). Facts about Texas Pension Plan: 1.-State employees' pension plan make up less than 2% (1.95 exactly) of Texas' budget 2. State retirees do not receive automatic costs of living adjustments (COLA) 3. Texas State employees pay more in contributions to the plan than most other state employees State Worker and Retiree Health Care Continues to be Discussed at the Legislature Many recommendations have been floating around the capital regarding health care for state employees and retirees, but some more than others. Some legislators and the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) are voicing concerns about exploding health care costs. Some believe that retirees should pay more out of pocket for themselves and dependents. In a study performed by LBB, they report that some of the highest health care cost to the plan can be attributed to retiree dependents. Other proposals being floated around the capitol require employees to work for a certain length of time before being eligible for 100% premium coverage. At the January 27th briefing Chairwoman Truitt stated that she was concerned about the price of retiree health care and said, "the legislature should take a look at the issue and decide whether the legislature should continue to provide health care after employment with the state." Furthermore, in testimony for the Senate Finance Committee on Monday, January 31st, LBB director John O'Brien recommended that current employees start paying 10% of their premiums of which the state currently pays 100%. This would amount to a pay cut for current state employees. Legislators zeros out SKIP for CHIP For the past thirteen years, children of state employees who are eligible for health care from the state employee health care plan have been excluded from applying for CHIP. Due to that federal provision the Texas Legislature created State Kids Insurance Plan (SKIP) for state employees to help them pay for their children's medical premiums. Now state employees are eligible to apply for CHIP because of the National Health Care Reform Act signed by President Obama last year. In order to qualify for CHIP there are two requirements. First the state must meet "Maintenance of Effort." This means that the state must contribute to health benefits on behalf of employees, including dependent coverage, for the most recent state fiscal year. This level cannot be less than the amount it expended in Fiscal Year of 1997 increased for inflation. Second, the individual worker must meet the requirements of a hardship waiver. This means that the total annual total amount of premiums and cost-sharing for coverage of the family of the child in the state employee plan in more than 5% of the family income. If the state meets the first condition (maintenance of effort) any child of a state employee that meets the hardship requirement can be enrolled in CHIP. The hardship condition is applicable on a family by family basis. Because of this change in national law, budget writers have discontinued funding for the "SKIP" program and will encourage the 6,000 state employees who are participating in this program to apply for CHIP. Income eligibility requirements are virtually the same between the two programs. TSEU will continue to monitor this issue as the budget process goes on. If you have any questions as to how this can affect you and your family please contact Derrick Osobase, (dosobase@cwa-tseu.org) Legislative Director. Senate Committees Late last week the Senate set membership for the various committees. Below is a list of committee members for some the committees most relevant for TSEU members. For a complete listing go to: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/Commit.htm Senate Finance Committee Hearings: Deficit continues to grow Monday, January 31st was the first day of hearings for the Senate Finance Committee. The Committee took testimony from the Comptroller's office, the director of the Legislative Budget Board, and began hearing from Article II agencies from the Health and Human Services Commission. In these hearings John Heleman, Comptroller's chief revenue estimator, was pressed on just how large the state's structural deficit has grown. The persistent $10 billion hole has resulted from years of underperforming business taxes that were intended to fill the hole left by the massive property tax cut in 2006. "That gap is not closing up," said Heleman. Legislators will have to deal with this hole, it's not going away and is the direct result of poor fiscal planning and policy from the legislature. The finance committee will be taking public testimony on issues in the five human services agencies (HHSC, DADS, DARS, DFPS, DSHS) this week. All members of the public, including state employees who are only representing themselves and not the agency, may testify. Below is the proposed schedule, although it is subject to change. Please be sure to check the schedules at the link below: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/mytlo/mobile/meetings.aspx?chamber=S Senate Finance Hearing Schedule- Tuesday, February 1, 2011: 6:00PM, Committee will begin hearing testimony on all HHS agencies (HHSC, DADS, DARS, DFPS, DSHS), E1.036 Wednesday, February 2, 2011: 9:00AM, Committee will continue hearing public testimony on all HHS agencies (HHSC, DADS, DARS, DFPS, DSHS), E1.036 Thursday, February 3, 2011: 9:00AM, Committee will continue hearing public testimony on all HHS agencies (HHSC, DADS, DARS, DFPS, DSHS), E1.036 Bills to Watch: HB 60: Support Cost of living increase to Teacher Retirement System: Sponsored by Rep. Mando Martinez, Establishes a cost of living adjustment based on inflation, growth, and the consumer price index. However the bill also limits the payment of cost of living increases (COLA) to years when the fund is actuarially sound. HB 471: Opposed Election through secret ballot of a labor union as the exclusive bargaining representative: Sponsored by Rep. Doc Anderson, Amends current labor code Section 101.1035 to restrict the method in which unions can be elected and established at a work site through secret ballot or mail-in ballot only. HB 762: Opposed Establishing pill splitting program to reduce health plan costs for certain public employees: Sponsored by Jose Manuel Lozano, Established a program to allow doctors to proscribe more potent doses of certain medications that individuals may split pills at home to the appropriate dose. The program is voluntary but includes a copay incentive for program participants. HB 832: Support Cost of living increase applicable to benefits pay by the Teacher's Retirement System: Sponsored by Rep. Jose Manuel Lozano, Similar to HB 60 (described above) but excludes the section about limiting cost of living increases relative to fund soundness. SB 218: Opposed Relating to procedures in certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship and the operation of the child protective services and foster care system: Sponsored by Sen. Jane Nelson. Among other amendments to the family code, the bill established a redesign of the foster care system implementation. Section 9 lays out a plan for expanding foster care privatization basing payment on performance rather than on services utilized.	For more details contact: MIMI GARCIA 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