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 33years 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going anywhere – withdrawn but could potentially be used in other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 https://stage.facc.org/facc/Retirement_Information_-_2010_Legislative_Session.asp
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 http://www.daytonastate.edu/FACC/tallahassee.html for 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)
https://stage.facc.org/images/facc/EmailBlasts/RetirementInfo/SAMPLELETTERtoLegislator.doc
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.