With over 800 DEA members having responded to our Retirement Rally Survey so far, there are 140 members committed to attend the rally on Saturday morning with another 350 working to adjust their schedules so they can attend. If you have not yet taken the survey, you can click below to complete the short survey.
Retirement Rally Survey
Please join us Saturday morning. More information is below in the previous post.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
UEA Member Alert: Your Retirement Benefits are in Jeopardy!
Rally Scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 11 a.m., at the Utah State Capitol"UEA members' retirement benefits are in jeopardy, and we will be rallying to show the legislature how we feel about these proposals," UEA President Kim Campbell said, after reviewing the latest retirement bills sponsored by Sen. Dan Liljenquist (R-Bountiful). Campbell said the Association is joining with the Utah School Employees Association, Utah Public Employees Association, and the Fraternal Order of Police to host a Saturday, Feb. 6, all-member rally at the Utah State Capitol. These groups represent more than 32,600 public employees and educators statewide. The rally begins at 11 a.m. on the south side of the Capitol. Speakers from each organization will be featured. "We need all of our members to participate in this event," Campbell said. "Those who live great distances from the Capitol can still help by writing letters and e-mails to their senators and representatives."
- For more information about the rally, click here.
- For information about the retirement bills, click here.
- To write your legislator, click here.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Retirement First on the UEA Agenda
While DEA has spent most of this week helping with 10-minute meetings in the schools, Kory Holdaway has led the UEA team with lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. If you have not yet had a 10-minute retirement meeting in your school for all employees, contact your DEA building rep to get the information.
The coalition on retirement (of which UEA is a part) met with House Democrats Thursday during their noon caucus meetings and discussed the challenges related to retirement changes. UEA along with the Utah Public Employees Association, Utah School Employees Association, the Fraternal Order of Police and other labor groups all stood united against the changes proposed by Senator Liljenquist. Each of the groups recognizes there are challenges that Utah Retirement Systems must face; however, we are all in agreement we need to slow down the train these bills are on. The House Democrats asked some very good questions dealing with the protection of the retirement system. As the discussion proceeded, the need to protect the Defined Benefit in the URS system was stressed by each group in the coalition. It was shared with the members of the caucus that teachers and public employees should be looked upon as one of the great state assets and not a liability that must be funded. We also shared with them the need to maintain a meaningful benefit plan to attract and retain quality employees in our classrooms and public employment. The Democrats were very receptive to our message and wanted more information to further understand this important public policy decision.
We encourage you to visit Under the Dome frequently for updates on the lobbying efforts of UEA. Next Friday, February 5, is the first Educator Day on the Hill. We can still use some help that day. Contact Susan (susan@dea.org) if you are willing to take a day to visit with legislators, meet with the UEA team, and attend committee meetings. Other events are planned for next week. Your DEA building reps have that information and more will be sent to members early next week.
The coalition on retirement (of which UEA is a part) met with House Democrats Thursday during their noon caucus meetings and discussed the challenges related to retirement changes. UEA along with the Utah Public Employees Association, Utah School Employees Association, the Fraternal Order of Police and other labor groups all stood united against the changes proposed by Senator Liljenquist. Each of the groups recognizes there are challenges that Utah Retirement Systems must face; however, we are all in agreement we need to slow down the train these bills are on. The House Democrats asked some very good questions dealing with the protection of the retirement system. As the discussion proceeded, the need to protect the Defined Benefit in the URS system was stressed by each group in the coalition. It was shared with the members of the caucus that teachers and public employees should be looked upon as one of the great state assets and not a liability that must be funded. We also shared with them the need to maintain a meaningful benefit plan to attract and retain quality employees in our classrooms and public employment. The Democrats were very receptive to our message and wanted more information to further understand this important public policy decision.
We encourage you to visit Under the Dome frequently for updates on the lobbying efforts of UEA. Next Friday, February 5, is the first Educator Day on the Hill. We can still use some help that day. Contact Susan (susan@dea.org) if you are willing to take a day to visit with legislators, meet with the UEA team, and attend committee meetings. Other events are planned for next week. Your DEA building reps have that information and more will be sent to members early next week.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Legislative Session Begins
Today is the first day of the legislative session for 2010. As you probably know, Senator Killpack resigned recently and the Davis GOP has recommended that the governor appoint former Layton Mayor Jerry Stevenson to the position. With the resignation of Senator Killpack, the Senate leadership has changed as well.
UEA is once again planning Educator Days on the Hill beginning February 5. Let Susan know if you are interested in participating in one of those events. Other activities will be scheduled to emphasize to legislators our concerns about funding, retirement, etc. Follow this blog and the UEA Under the Dome for updates and information.
The UEA team has been active for several weeks already even before the start of the session. Kory Holdaway, UEA Director of Government Relations, is well known among the legislators and will be a great spokesman for educators having only recently left the classroom.
UEA is once again planning Educator Days on the Hill beginning February 5. Let Susan know if you are interested in participating in one of those events. Other activities will be scheduled to emphasize to legislators our concerns about funding, retirement, etc. Follow this blog and the UEA Under the Dome for updates and information.
The UEA team has been active for several weeks already even before the start of the session. Kory Holdaway, UEA Director of Government Relations, is well known among the legislators and will be a great spokesman for educators having only recently left the classroom.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Legislative Dinner
Thursday evening, January 21, DEA Executive Board members gathered for dinner with 8 local legislators. During the dinner DEA members discussed many issues with legislators with proposed retirement changes being among the topics. Senator Liljenquist indicated he is reconsidering the move to a 35-year requirement for full retirement. This is a major shift which would keep him closer to his stated intention of not impacting current employees.
Following the dinner, legislators and the others present heard a presentation from Dr. Pam Perlich from the University of Utah which focused on the changing demographics of the nation and Utah. She indicated that Utah is in a good position to learn from the mistakes made by other states since we are behind the nation in this trend. We have time to implement changes to address these shifting demographics in ways other states did not.
Susan Firmage was thrilled with the turn out and the response of our legislators. Even in these difficult times, it is good we can still communicate with our legislators and have some impact on decisions they are making regarding and classrooms and personal finances.
Following the dinner, legislators and the others present heard a presentation from Dr. Pam Perlich from the University of Utah which focused on the changing demographics of the nation and Utah. She indicated that Utah is in a good position to learn from the mistakes made by other states since we are behind the nation in this trend. We have time to implement changes to address these shifting demographics in ways other states did not.
Susan Firmage was thrilled with the turn out and the response of our legislators. Even in these difficult times, it is good we can still communicate with our legislators and have some impact on decisions they are making regarding and classrooms and personal finances.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Legislaturive Session Begins on Monday
You have probably heard that there was a leadership shakeup in the Senate just one week before the session begins. Those of you who were delegates to the county convention may be involved in the choosing of a replacement for Sheldon Killpack in District 21. You will also be hearing news about important issues under consideration by the legislature this year including retirement, ethics and the budget.
We encourage you to get in the habit of checking this blog and UEA Under the Dome ( http://www.utea.org/politicsLegislation/legislativeInformation/index.htm ) for developments. We will also continue to pass on information from the UEA lobbying team as it comes to us. Contact your building reps or the DEA Office if you have questions during the session.
We encourage you to get in the habit of checking this blog and UEA Under the Dome ( http://www.utea.org/politicsLegislation/legislativeInformation/index.htm ) for developments. We will also continue to pass on information from the UEA lobbying team as it comes to us. Contact your building reps or the DEA Office if you have questions during the session.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Town Meeting Tomorrow in Bountiful
A pre-session Town Hall meeting will be hosted jointly by Sen. Dan Liljenquist, Rep Becky Edwards, and Rep. Sheryl Allen. It will be held Wednesday, January 20, at 7:00 pm in the auditorium of the Bountiful Library. They are hoping for a large crowd who will come to participate and share in a discussion of ideas and suggestions for the situations we are facing as members of our community and state.
Those represented by any of these legislators may want to plan to attend. There may be some discussion of the retirement system as well as other issues facing the education community.
Those represented by any of these legislators may want to plan to attend. There may be some discussion of the retirement system as well as other issues facing the education community.
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