ContactMAGAZINE - CalRTA - California Retired Teachers Association

Legislative UpdateBy David L. Walrath, Legislative Advocate and Ken Hewitt, State Legislation Committee ChairCRTA Keeps LegislativePressure OnKen HewittState Legislation Committee ChairDavid L. WalrathLegislative Advocate| JUNE 2008Earlier this year we highlighted CRTA’s efforts to fightproposals in Governor Schwarzenegger’s budget proposalthat would hurt retired teachers. We asked youto write letters and you have. Thank you!But your work is not done. This year’s budget process will belengthy, and we need you to continue to voice your concern.In addition to letting your legislator know you don’t supportthe Governor’s budget, you also need to tell him/her you dosupport the CRTA alternative. (Note – You can find your legislators’information at www.legislature.ca.gov or by callingyour county registrar of voters.)CRTA Advocates Purchasing Power Protection IncreaseWhile the Governor’s budget contains an effective cap at 80percent Purchasing Power Protection and the CalSTRS Boardproposed an effective cap at 82.5 percent Purchasing PowerProtection, CRTA is advocating for 85 percent PurchasingPower Protection. Here’s the CRTA proposal:CRTA Alternative to Governor’s State Budget Proposaln Allow the Teachers’ Retirement Board to provide up to 85percent purchasing power protectionn Accept the SBMA cash flow contribution change proposedin the Governor’s Budgetn Schedule the $210 million interest payment into fourannual payments starting in 2009-10 (no payment inbudget year)n Reduce the annual state contribution to SBMA to 2.25percent from the current 2.5 percentwww.calrta.orgIn April, both the Assembly and Senate Budget Subcommitteesheard the Governors’ budget proposal, CalSTRS’ proposaland CRTA’s alternative. The Committees had thoroughdiscussions of all three options, as well as the option of retainingcurrent law and making no change. The Committeesindicated that they were concerned with both the Governor’sbudget proposal and the CalSTRS alternative and stated theywere more comfortable with the consideration of current lawor the CRTA alternative.The Department of Finance has indicated they would preferthe CRTA alternative to the CalSTRS’ alternative; consequentlywe are beginning to generate more support for our alternative.CRTA will continue to fight for the highest benefit increasethat can be provided to currently retired teachers, butwe need your help. All CRTA members need to continuewriting and getting petitions signed to protect SBMA andsupport the CRTA budget alternative.For more information on the CRTA alternative please visitwww.calrta.org. And remember that your Division LegislativeChair is an excellent resource for up-to-date information.Active Legislative Session – Positive Results so FarCRTA has had an active legislative session in the first partof 2008. We have been successful with opposed legislationfailing to move forward, and effectively dead, or beingamended to remove CRTA’s opposition. CRTA-supported legislationAB 2390 (Karnette) passed committee and was heardin the Assembly Appropriations Committee in late April.