March 5, 2010

Lobby Day was Great, but . . .

Where do we go from here?  The March 2 lobby day and luncheon was, in the eyes of most, a huge success.  We had great attendance, untold numbers of good visits with legislators occurred, and the organization grew in solidarity because of the interaction of its faithful members and friends.  All this is good.

As positive an event as it was, however, the feel good lobby day has provided us no visible proof that we are any nearer to the achievement of our key legislative goals of a fair and equal cost-of-living benefits adjustment (COLA) for retired educators and sufficient long term funding for the Teachers’ Retirement System.  The same is true for some of our other legislative goals.

We’ve Established the Foundation

Don’t get the wrong idea.  The OREA legislative lobby day was a positive step, because it provides us the opportunity to spend the remaining twelve weeks of the 2010 legislative session building on the foundation that we have established.

Starting now, it is up to us to make sure that the relationships with legislators that we have forged, and the education of legislators that has been our mission, will serve us well in a practical sense as we continue our lobby efforts to get legislative bills passed and others, when necessary, defeated.  In other words, we cannot be content with what we’ve done; we must move forward even more boldly and with even greater dedication.

Stated simply, we must stay in the game.  We cannot disappear, thinking we have done all that we can do.   The fight has just begun.

What About SB 1350?

Speaking practically, what is the condition of SB 1350, by Don Barrington (R, Lawton), the measure that many OREA members were left puzzled about as it was laid over in the state Senate on Tuesday?  As you recall, SB 1350 would provide that future COLAs granted by the legislature would be equal for all state retirement systems, and it would incorporate into state pension statutes the increase from 1% to 2% in the annual assumed COLA rate adopted by the Teachers’ Retirement System Board of Trustees in 2008.  SB 1350 would correct the COLA inequity of recent years between TRS and the other state retirement systems.

In short, nothing has happened to the bill that lessens its good purpose or diminishes its chances of passage in the Senate.  The discussion about restoring the bill’s title that occurred on Tuesday, and which may have led to delay in its consideration, probably does not threaten passage of the bill in the Senate in this yet early stage of the long legislative process.

The proposal by Senator Richard Lerblance (D, Hartshorne) to restore SB 1350’s title to make it a so-called “live round” for transmission to the House of Representatives was a well-meaning move on his part to elevate the Senate’s seriousness about providing fair and equal COLA benefits to retired educators.  We thank him for his efforts and his purpose.  The simple fact is that not everyone in the Senate was ready on Tuesday to get really serious about COLA equity for retired educators.  We will have to continue our lobby efforts to help them get serious.

Sen. Don Barrington, SB 1350’s author, remains positive in his support for the bill, and will work to see it receives consideration on the Senate floor before the legislative deadline of Thursday, March 11.  OREA members are encouraged to contact Sen. Barrington to thank him for his continued support of our COLA efforts, and to contact all senators to urge their support of the bill when it is heard.

Tuesday-Wednesday Lobbying Remains Important

Another practical way to continue support for the OREA legislative agenda is to make sure your local unit participates in the regular Tuesday-Wednesday lobbying efforts for the remainder of the legislative session.  Except for March 16-17 and May 11-12, members are encouraged to come to the Capitol to work for passage of OREA-sponsored legislation.  Several local units have sent delegations to lobby earlier in the session, and some commitments have been made for coming weeks.  However, a number of slots remain open.  Help us out by rounding up a delegation to come to the Capitol to do this important work.  A legislative briefing will be held at OREA headquarters or at a location in the Capitol, depending on your delegation’s needs.  Contact Sharon Cox at (405) 523-4373 or (800) 310-2230 toll free to get on the schedule.  Sharon’s e-mail address is scox@okea.org. 

Let’s Work to Pass SB 1319

Another bill needing OREA member support is SB 1319, by Jay Paul Gumm (D, Durant), which would allow OREA to designate a person for membership on the Teachers’ Retirement System Board of Trustees.  The measure is intended to ensure the voice of retired educators will always be heard in important policy discussions for the system.  Although state statutes currently provide for minimal retired educator membership on the Board, these appointees can be subject to the whims of their political appointing authority.

We Need More Support in the House

OREA’s limited success to this point in the legislative session has clearly been in the Senate.  Generating support for the Association’s program has been difficult in the House of Representatives.  While many individual members of the House are supportive, that body’s key leaders have yet to indicate their sympathies for OREA-sponsored bills.  We will continue good faith efforts toward positive relationships with these leaders.

OREA members can be helpful by contacting Speaker Chris Benge (R, Tulsa), Majority Floor Leader Tad Jones (R, Claremore), and Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairman Ken Miller (R, Oklahoma City), asking them to provide time for OREA professional lobbyists to discuss key issues with them.  Contacts with all House members are important as well.  Ask your home district state representative to put in a good word with the Republican House leaders to make them more receptive to support for retired educator issues.

Take Pride, but Move On

Emphasizing the theme set at the beginning of this legislative update, our efforts for this legislative session have only begun.  We will take pride in our successful legislative lobby day and luncheon, but we see it as the beginning, not the end.

Thanks for reading this legislative update, and thanks for your support for the OREA legislative agenda.  For additional information or to make suggestions or comments, please contact Norman Cooper, OREA Executive Director, at (405) 523-4371 or (800) 310-2230 toll free.  His e-mail address is ncooper@okea.org.

March 3, 2010

400 OREA Members Descend on Capitol

Four-hundred members of the Oklahoma Retired Educators Association, along with many friends and family, lobbied legislators at the state Capitol on Wednesday in support of the OREA legislative agenda.  Starting at 8:30 a.m. and going strong all the way through a special legislator and staff appreciation luncheon in the Capitol’s second floor rotunda, members had great visits with lawmakers of both parties from the House and Senate.

Lobbyists Recognized and Witness Near-Miss on COLA Bill

As they filled the galleries of each chamber, OREA members were recognized from the House and Senate floors for their attendance at the Capitol, and for decades of service to the students of Oklahoma.  In the Senate, OREA members were on hand for the near passage of SB 1350, by Don Barrington (R, Lawton), which would provide for equal cost-of-living benefits adjustments (COLAs) for retirees of all state-sponsored retirement systems.  Instead, the bill was laid over for later consideration after a dispute occurred over restoring the bill’s title.  OREA believes the procedural question can be worked out, preparing the bill for a Senate vote, perhaps as early as today.

Look for Statewide Press Announcement

A press announcement of the event went out mid-day to all media outlets across the state.  OREA members are encouraged to contact their local newspapers and electronic media outlets to provide impetus for the OREA lobbying event to receive coverage in their area.  Members are also asked to clip articles from local newspapers about the lobbying event and send them to OREA.  This will help determine the extent of media coverage.  Please send the clippings to OREA, Attn: Norman Cooper, P. O. Box 18485, Oklahoma City, OK 73154.  Thank you.

Did You Get Sample Press Release for Local Use?

A sample press announcement was provided to local unit leaders yesterday that can be tailored for local use.  The sample release speaks in broad terms about the Tuesday lobby event, but it also provides a framework to inform the local citizenry of the OREA members participating in lobby activities, along with the legislators that were visited.  If your local unit did not get a copy, contact Norman Cooper at OREA at (405) 523-4371 or (800) 310-2230.  His e-mail address is ncooper@okea.org.

Tell Us What You Think About Lobby Day

OREA also requests that members who participated in the event take a few minutes to send an e-mail message or letter to OREA to detail your observations regarding the lobby day and luncheon.  In particular, it would be helpful to know the legislators with whom you were able to have quality visits, and what their comments might have been toward particular retirement-related bills and/or the OREA legislative agenda.  Also, comments would be appreciated on the overall organization and effectiveness of the event.  Please send your e-mail messages and letters to OREA, Attn: Norman Cooper, P. O. Box 18485, Oklahoma City, OK 73154.  Thank you.

How Was the Food?

Comments will certainly be welcome regarding the huge luncheon buffet provided to all legislators, House and Senate staff, and OREA member lobbyists by the famous End of Main Caterers from Watonga.  We could presume that there are some folks who would not rate the meal highly, but they are likely to be in the minority.  Initial reviews Tuesday on the quality and quantity of the food were very positive.

Thanks, OREA Members, You’re the Best!

We may never conclusively know the full impact the legislative lobby day and luncheon will have on the ultimate success of our legislative agenda.  Nonetheless, there is one thing for sure.  OREA members are the best.  The call went out for your help, and you responded because you cared.  You cared about the 46,000 Oklahoma retired educators, and you demonstrated your faith in OREA as the best instrument to improve their lives.  Thank you.

February 26, 2010

Thanks for Answering the Call

A few weeks ago we announced the OREA legislative lobby day and luncheon for Tuesday, March 2, at the state Capitol.  We said it was our opportunity as OREA members to impress upon state legislators the resolve of Oklahoma’s 46,000 retired educators that they receive fair and equal cost-of-living benefits adjustment (COLA) treatment in comparison with their retired colleagues in other state-sponsored retirement systems.

In addition, the lobby day would provide a forum to convince lawmakers that the Teacher’s Retirement System cannot continue to exist as one of the most poorly funded major public pension systems in the nation.

We asked 300 members to sign up to attend lobby day activities.  Well, you went us one better.  As of Thursday, February 25, almost 400 OREA members from all across Oklahoma had signed up, committing themselves to travel to Oklahoma City and the state Capitol on Tuesday to visit with their legislators for fair and equal COLA treatment and adequate funding of the Teachers’ Retirement System.

For their efforts, all they’ll get is a great complimentary buffet luncheon catered by the famous End of Main from Watonga, and the satisfaction of giving their best shot to improve the lives of Oklahoma’s retired educators.  Priceless. 

Thank you, OREA members, for your support.  You’ve already made lobby day at the Capitol on Tuesday a great success.

I am Unable to Come, but How Can I Help?

We realize that thousands of retired educators are unable to travel to the Capitol to lobby, but are nonetheless eager to be a part of the day’s activities.  Here’s how.

On Tuesday morning, preferably between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., will you call your state representative and senator at the Capitol and very quickly leave your version of the following message?

Hello, I am ______________________,  from ________________, Oklahoma. 

I would like to leave this message for Rep./Sen. ________________.

Please provide fair and equal COLA treatment for Oklahoma’s retired educators, and adequately fund the Teacher’s Retirement System to make it financially secure now and for the future.  Thank you.

The telephone numbers for the House of Representatives are (405) 521-2711 and (800) 522-8502 toll free.  For the Senate, the numbers are (405) 524-0126 and (800) 865-6490 toll free.  Make two calls.  Ask for the office of your state representative by name.  Ask for the office of your state senator by name.

Your messages will add to the impression your lobbying colleagues will be making that day.  Thanks for your help.

Equal COLA Bill Could be Heard in Senate Soon

SB 1350, by Don Barrington (R, Lawton), could receive a hearing soon on the floor of the state Senate.  The bill would provide that cost-of-living benefits adjustments (COLAs) granted by the state legislature would be equal for all state retirement systems.  Enactment of the bill into law would end the current disparity in COLA benefits between retired educators and retirees of the other state retirement systems.  OREA members are well aware that while other retirees in recent years have been receiving 4% COLAs, retired educators have received only 2%.  That’s unfair, and this unequal treatment must end.  SB 1350 will help.  Contact your state senator, urging him/her to vote “yes” on SB 1350 when heard on the Senate floor.  Do it very soon.

A Voice for Retired Educators on the TRS Board

SB 1319, by Jay Paul Gumm (D, Durant), also could receive a Senate floor hearing soon.  It would allow the Oklahoma Retired Educators Association to appoint a member of the Teachers’ Retirement System Board of Trustees.  This would ensure a strong retired educator voice in the policy decisions of the board.  Contact your state senator, urging him/her to vote “yes” on SB 1319 when heard on the Senate floor.  Retired educators must be heard.

Tough Sledding in the House So Far

The House of Representatives completed Thursday its last round of committee hearings on legislation originating in that body, but failed to take action to approve any specific legislation regarding COLAs or health insurance assistance for retired educators.  There were dozens of bills that could have been heard, but they were not.

Those bills included SB 1016, left over from the 2009 session, which held out the promise of a gradual correction in the COLA inequity between the Teachers’ Retirement System and other state retirement systems.  SB 1016, by Jeff Hickman (R, Moreland) of the House and Susan Paddack (D, Ada) of the Senate, remains technically alive, since it could be heard in a later round of committee hearings when Senate bills are presented in the House.   OREA members should continue to press Rep. Ken Miller (R, Oklahoma City), chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee, for a hearing on SB 1016.

Another bill that bit the dust for the session was HB 3316, by Scott Martin (R, Norman), which would have begun a new infusion of state dedicated revenue into the Teachers’ Retirement System effective July 1, 2012.  The effective date of the bill was set two years into the future to alleviate lawmaker concerns over current budget problems, but it apparently did not help the bill get a hearing in the House A & B Committee.  In OREA’s view, HB 3316 was a responsible way of providing for the long-term funding needs of TRS.  The Republican House leadership must not have seen it that way.

A ray of hope in the House continues to exist, however, with the passage of a shell bill or two in House A & B Committee that could prove useful in coming weeks as landing places for initiatives favorable to retired educators.  OREA professional lobbyists will continue to maintain contacts with key House leaders in pursuit of opportunities to advance the association’s legislative goals.  OREA members are asked to maintain frequent contact with their representatives, urging them to act on behalf of retired educators wherever possible.

Thanks for Visiting

Thanks for reading and taking action based on this legislative update.  Your loyalty to OREA and support for its legislative agenda are appreciated.  Readers are reminded that a condensed version of the weekly OREA legislative update can be heard on the OREA telephone legislative hotline at (405) 525-2230 in the OKC metro area or (800) 310-2230 toll free statewide.