email from VEA Teachers union, support/oppose these bills

[Gopher Broke]

January 30, 2006

Dear Cyber-lobbyist:

The Senate Finance Committee will take up three bills of great importance to the VEA at tomorrow morning’s meeting.

Senator Hanger’s SB398 increases the retiree health credit from $2.50 per year of service per month to $4, the amount now provided to state workers. Retired teachers now receive a maximum of $75 while state workers can get up to $120. It also removes the thirty year cap on the creditable years of service and provides the credit to Educational Support Professionals.

Senator Wampler’s SB175 increases the Virginia Retirement System multiplier from 1.7% to 2% by raising the multiplier .05% in each of the next six years.

The battle for both of these bills is uphill, as the fiscal impacts are considerable and the teacher fund at VRS is under-funded. Beyond that, the assembly is scrambling for funds for transportation.

In addition to these two VEA bills, Senator Martin’s SB189, a tuition tax credit bill, will be heard as well. This bill provides public money to private schools.

So, please call/e-mail members of the Senate Finance Committee urging support of SB398 and SB175 and opposition to SB189.

A listing of members of the Senate Finance Committee is available at:

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?061+com+S5

Their e-mail addresses are available at:

http://sov.state.va.us/SenatorDB.nsf/$$Viewtemplate%2Bfor%2BWEmailList?OpenForm

The Constituent Hotline number is 800-889-0229.

Many thanks,

Robley Jones

VEA GR

[gleeaikin]

I agree that the state multiplier needs to be increased. It appears that the county teachers pension (at least in Arlington Co.) does not change over time. Also when the primary person died, the eligible widow or widower has to pay a much higher health insurance premium.

[gleeaikin]

I agree that the state pension needs to be increased. Apparently, the county pension (at least in Arlington Co.) is frozen for all time. In addition, when the pensioner dies, their eligible spouse has to pay a much larger health insurance premium.

[Perseverando]

Bump!