FACC CONFERENCE CALL – 3/29/10 - AGENDA
1.Welcome and Overview of FACC Legislative key players
Michael Brawer, Marsha Kiner, Ken Plante (contract lobbyist), Erin McColskey (PBSC), Sharon Crow (DSC), Jeff Schembera (NWFSC)
2.Summary of Proposed Changes to Retirement
Michael Brawer - PROPOSED ONLY – recommendations and suggestions about what can be done to the FRS to save the State money. State is facing serious budget deficit ($600M) – budget around worst case scenario. “If there’s a dollar that can be cut, it will be cut.” First time they’ve gone after Retirement – affects school board, fire department, police department, city/municipalities – not alone in this battle, hundreds/thousands people affect by these changes. Hopefully stave of changes, will more than likely be revisited in future years – it’s an ongoing effort to protect the FRS. Grassroots level response needed.
Jeff Schembera – status report - 1) Issues moving forward, 2) Being discussed, 3) Not being discussed:-
1)House/Rivera– eliminate HIS ($1,800 hit on 30-year retirees), has some potential to move forward; Senate /Alexander – bill (SB2022) passed out of committee (0.25% of salary) – (previously eliminated back in 1974 4% co-pay)– potentially, could increase in future years.
2)Being discussed – a) change in retirement age, full retirement at 33-years regardless of age, b)accrual rate – 1.6% of highest 5-years – reduce to 1.44% of highest 5-years, c) average final compensation – change to entire employment history/lifetime earnings (HB1543 – not going anywhere – withdrawn but could potentiallybe used in other bill(s))
3)Elimination of Defined Benefit (HB413) for new employees effectively January 2011 – not even discussed. This is a large issue that would affect current and future retirees.
4)DROP enrollment may be closed to future enrollments. Continues to be discussed, but no bills filed at this time.
Erin McColskey–end of session surprises – call to action, not yet required – be prepared. Preparation during Summer/Fall for potential changes 2011. Stage employees = government/bad employees, work to address perception. Local chapters to do more to raise awareness in community.
Marsha Kiner – looking for a way to bring retirees back to FACC – form grassroots group to help particularly with Retirement issues.
3.Our strategy
FACC has contracted with Lobbyist to pay particular attention to Retirement issues. If needed, would partner with other groups/organizations affected. Attract new members to increase resources and clout of Association.
Get knowledgeable about these issues -
GRASSROOTS ADVOCAY:Contact your local legislative delegation to express your concerns.Fax and phone calls are the best method.Phone calls will more than likely be take by staff member - E-mails often don’t get read for several days. Go to contact information.
Be positive.Do not express anger or frustration to your legislator or their staffs.Express your concerns knowledgeably and articulately.Thank them for the opportunity to share your concerns. REMEMBER, YOU ARE AN AMBASSADOR OF FACC AS WELL AS THE COLLEGE.
DO NOT USE COLLEGE RESOURCES WHEN COMMUNICATING TO YOUR LEGISLATOR.THIS INCLUDES PHONES, COMPUTERS, STATIONERY, & FAX MACHINES.
When writing letters to the legislators, take some time to personalize your message – here’s a sample letter – rather than just print, sign and fax, use your own words, make it personal
SAMPLE LETTER/FAX TO WRITE TO YOUR LEGISLATOR(S)
Dear :
I am writing you to express my sincere concerns regarding the proposed changes in several bills that would impact the Florida Retirement System.
Continuing to fund the retirement benefit as it has been historically is vital to retaining the quality and integrity of the state and education workforce in Florida. Career educators (or career and professional employees) such as myself, made the decision to stay with the system long-term, many years ago. As you know, the comprehensive benefits provided were always a nice enticement to remain in the system and offset the comparatively higher salaries provided in the private sector for comparable work.
Many of us believed the security of a “state retirement” was a much better opportunity and we vested ourselves into the system for the long haul. To change this benefit now adversely impacts us currently in the system after our years of dedication and loyalty to the state as public servants. This is simply wrong and a breach of the trust we have had with the state of Florida as its civil servants.
I want to thank you for your hard work and struggle to rectify the state’s budget problems. Your dedication and effort to do this is both commendable and respected. I realize it is a unique challenge. However, I urge you to reject any and all bills that will adversely affect past and current vested employees and retirees.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to express my concerns to you. Good luck in your efforts in Tallahassee during this session.
Respectfully,
REMEMBER: DO NOT USE COLLEGE RESOURCES WHEN COMMUNICATING TO YOUR LEGISLATOR.THIS INCLUDES PHONES, COMPUTERS, STATIONERY, & FAX MACHINES.