Legislation Report 4/20/12

 

I attended the State Leg. Com. Meeting March 16-17, 2014 in Utica, NY.

 

Dave Keefe gave an update on TRS. “Your NYSTRS benefits are safe”

 

Linda Cross gave an update on the “Mommies Bill”. Also investigating “Women’s EqualityAct” and how it may apply to Tier I.

 

Discussed 2014 State Agenda:

 

Minimum Pension Bump Up:  Extend minimum retirement benefit for retirees of NYSTRS retired prior to 06/01/1980, and receive a pension equal to or less than$550.00 per year of service (to a maximum of thirty five years of service or $19,250).

 

Pharmacy Reimbursement: This bill differs from last year’s bill because this will specify specialty medications be available for a 90 day supply.

 

Elder Abuse: This Bill includes the definition of caregiver to include volunteer caregivers, family members, etc. people who are not paid a salary, who assume the responsibility of an elderly person.

 

Tier I (Mommies Bill: reinstatement to certain members who re-enter public service; extends teir reinstatement provisions to retiree of  a public retirement system who was an active member of a public retirement system on or after January 1, 1989.

 

It was decided we should place a paragraph, rather than support any one bill, on the agenda for the following stating:

 

Common Core Statement:The New York State Retired Teachers’ Association, Inc. supports efforts underway to improve implementation of the Common Core Standards. We believe this is in the best interest of all students.

 

Gap Elimination Statement: It is time to remove the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) from the school aid formula and allow school districts to begin the reduction recovery process so that our students have access to all programs necessary for a quality education (related legislation: A•08295 Corwin/S•05452-A Flanagan).

 

Reviewed the 2013 Federal Agenda:

Elder Abuse, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation, Default Prevention Act.

 

2014 Federal Agenda will be discussed with a conference call on Tuesday, April 29, 2014.

 

Submitted by Bill Lesniak, Leg. Com. Chair