For more information on Vice-President reports, MTA Director reports, Strategic Action Committee (SAC) Issues and/or related legislative priorities, contact
- Diana (Donnie) McGee
- MCCC Vice President, SAC Chair, MCCC Director on the MTA Board of Directors
- Email:
- September 21, 2012
- September 8, 2012
- August 28, 2012
- November 19, 2011: Governor Approves ORP Legislation
- November 18, 2011
- September 26, 2011
- September 1, 2011 Report
- June 2, 2011 Report
- March 25, 2011 Report
- February 25, 2011 Report
Date: September 21, 2012
Legislative Update: Reminder and Clarification
- Creditable Service Purchases – Interest rate increase on 4/2/2013:
- Applications for such credit must be received by the State Retirement Board by this date to receive the current “buyback” interest rate of4.125 %; applications received after this date will be charged the actuarial interest rate of 8.25 %.
- Exceptions:
- "03" buyback purchases that were enacted under Chapter 161 of the Acts of 2006 are not affected by this new provision.
- Certain military buyback opportunities are not affected.
- Note: members cannot apply for the above creditable service options until they have become vested in the state retirement plan (at 10 years).
- Should the ORP legislation be given a favorable review by the IRS, an ORP member who transfers to the SERS will then be able to apply for, and if eligible, purchase additional years of service credit if/when they have completed 10 years of service.
Strategic Action Committee:
- SAC meeting was held on Wednesday, 9/19/12; 12 members attended.
- Campaign/Election plans were discussed, with a presentation from Cathy Fichtner from MTA’s Governmental division.
- The Committee made recommendations to the MCCC Board regarding the filing of legislation for the next legislative session.
- SAC leaders were asked to work with chapter leaders to involve members in the fall campaigns and member-to-member activities. (MTA phone banking, candidate work)
Elections/Campaigns: Stay Tuned; Get Involved
- TOP PRIORITY: State Senate race of Brown/Warren; link this to the Presidential race. State House and Congressional elections: MTA/MCCC support pro-education candidates.
SAC and chapter leaders will work together to involve members in campaign activities.
- Campaign Information: See MTA handouts, BBrds, candidate websites, Facebook
- For Obama and Warren campaign literature: Go to the MTA website: (Advocating>VotEducation>Info for MTA members>Log in)
- Campaign Activities: Please get involved. There’s something here for everyone:
- MTA CAMPAIGN: Member-to-member phone banks.(Goal: each chapter brings up t10 members tone evening of phone banking at an MTA office.)
- CANDIDATE SUPPORT: phone banks, visibilities, poll support, lawn signs, bumper stickers (See candidate websites for local activities and events.)
- Other events: labor rallies, community coalition events, letters to the editor, GOTV – students/ members: last day to register to vote: 10/17. VOTE on 11/6
September 8, 2012
Dear ORP Ad Hoc Committee members, chapter leaders, and ORP enrollees,
The tax firm hired to submit a Private Letter Ruling request to the IRS on the Optional Retirement Plan transfer legislation indicated that the letter has been sent and that the IRS was expected to have received it on Wednesday, 9/5/12. The letter was thoroughly vetted by MTA's tax attorneys, is comprehensive and persuasive, with a clear emphasis that the transfer opportunity would not threaten the integrity of either of the two state retirement options (the ORP or the State Employees' Retirement System - SERS).
- The tax firms for the state and for the MTA both expressed optimism that the case would be reviewed by the IRS, given the legislative mandate.
- The time frame within which such a review would take place was not specified, but the MTA will be meeting with the Department of Higher Education to pursue this further.
- The DHE has provided Katie D'Urso with MTA members who are currently active in the ORP who would be eligible for this transfer opportunity.
BACKGROUND:
The state's Pension Reform Act of 2011 included a "reform" piece on the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). This legislation would provide a one time opportunity for ORP-enrolled members to transfer to the State Employees' Retirement System (SERS). However, the implementation of this legislation is conditioned upon a favorable review of this transfer plan by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- Note this legislation would affect 3,000+ active ORP enrollees, most of them higher education faculty at the state's 29 public colleges and universities.
- See the attached timeline for a better understanding of the implementation of the provisions in this ORP legislation (often referenced as "Section 60").
What's Next:
- Joey Hansen, Katie D'Urso, and I will be meeting with the DHE and the State Retirement Board this month to get more information related to the ORP buyback formula, the support of the DHE in the implementation of the transfer of ORP assets, and the payback options for money owed for purchase of service credit.
- The distribution of a FAQ sheet should take place after the above-referenced meeting.
- Regional meetings statewide will also be scheduled to discuss the details related to the legislation and the transfer implementation.
New Employee Retirement Orientation - Education is KEY:
- Should the IRS provide a favorable review of the Section 60 legislation, there will only be a time-limited one-time opportunity for employees working at the time of the state's receipt of the IRS approval. It is imperative that all future enrollees understand the details of both retirement options before they enroll.
- Eligibility for the ORP has expanded; it now includes faculty, professional staff, and other public higher education employees.
- The enrollment period has been extended from 90 to 180 days, as per the state's Pension Reform Act (as of 2/14/12).
- Advise new members to see a financial advisor and review all links under "Choosing a Retirement Plan" on the state's ORP website: http://www.mass.edu/test/foremployees/orp/chooseintro.asp <http://www.mass.edu/test/foremployees/orp/chooseintro.asp>
Thanks to all of you for your patience. I know this has been a long, drawn-out process. I'll be in touch when we have more news.
To: MCCC Board of Directors
From: Donnie McGee, MCCC Vice President
Re: SAC/VP Report, Worcester, MA
Date: August 28 2012
State Budget for FY 2013:
- The Legislature and Governor enacted Community College reforms reflective of the House budget, with one commission created texamine community college funding and track performance data at our colleges.
- Joe LeBlanc represents the MCCC/MTA on this commission (Performance Funding Task Force). A report will be filed by the Commissioner with the Legislature and Governor’s office by Dec. 1, 2012.
- According tthe Mass Budget and Policy Center: “…total funding for public higher education in the FY 2013 budget is somewhat higher than FY 2012 (due tfunding of collective bargaining agreements); … FY 2013 funding still represents an inflation-adjusted cut of around 13 percent from pre-fiscal crisis levels (FY 2009 GAA).”
- $400,000 was allocated for a new Office of Coordination (tbe housed in the BHE) tcoordinate all public higher education workforce training efforts.
ORP Update:
- IRS tax review of the ORP legislation, Section 60 of the Pension Reform Act:
- Tax firm hired by the Dept. of Higher Ed. (DHE) and the State Retirement Board (SRB) has worked with MTA’s tax lawyers tfinalize the letter tthe IRS.
- Letter is thorough and persuasive in terms of its support for the ORP transfer opportunity; a solid case has been built tcapture the legitimacy of this legislation.
- Tax lawyers think the case will be reviewed by the IRS, given the legislative mandate.
- The letter is expected tbe sent this week by the DHE/SRB.
- Katie D’Urso, Joey Hansen and I plan tmeet with Nick Favorit(SRB) and Richard Nunes (DHE) tfinalize questions related tthe ORP buyback formula, the use of retirement funds for payback of any money owed, and the support of the DHE in implementing the transfer.
- A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) guide and buyback worksheets will be developed.
- Regional meetings will be scheduled teducate eligible ORP-enrolled MTA members.
- DHE has provided lists of active MTA ORP enrollees (nearly 500 from MCCC).
- IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW: Educate all full-time hires ttheir retirement options.
- Discuss, when possible, the revised ORP flyer included with New Member Materials.
- Both Professional Staff and Faculty are now eligible tjoin the ORP.
- The enrollment period has been extended from 90 t180 days as per the Pension Reform Act (effective 2/16/12).
- Advise members ttake their time tmake this decision.
Legislative Update:
- Creditable Service Purchases – Interest rate increase: The Pension Reform Act of 2011 mandates that state employees currently enrolled in the SERS and interested in the existing buyback options for creditable service must submit their application tthe State Retirement Board by April 2, 2013, in order tavoid the newly enacted interest rate increase. Applications received by this deadline will be charged the buyback interest rate of 4.125 %; those received after this date will be charged the actuarial interest rate of 8.25 %.
- The Social Security Fairness Act trepeal the Government Pension Offset/Windfall Elimination Provision laws has been filed in both chambers of Congress.
- House of Representatives (H. R. 1332): 170 co-sponsors as of 6/19/12
- U.S. Senate (S. 2010)): 18 co-sponsors as of 6/19/12
- All members of the MA delegation are signed on as co-sponsors
- This legislation is still a priority, but will remain on the back burner until after the election.
Strategic Action Committee:
- SAC meeting will be held mid-September; notice will go out this week.
- SAC reps needed from Holyoke and Mt. Wachusett.
- SAC will focus on targeted State House and national campaigns, engaging members in political action, and establishing legislative priorities for the 2013-2014 legislative session.
Elections/Campaigns: Stay Tuned; Get Involved
- TOP PRIORITY: State Senate race of Brown/Warren. MTA has endorsed Warren given her support for public education and an economy that is fair for everyone.
- State House and other Congressional elections: MTA/MCCC will focus on pro-education candidates. See MTA Today’s Primary Election Guide (Summer 2012) to see how legislators measure up.
- Primary Elections in MA will be held on September 6.
- No Stand for Children Ballot Initiative will be on the ballot this fall: An MTA and AFT backed alternative was enacted on June 29, 2012.
MCCC State House Internship Program:
- Jennifer Vasquez, NECC is a summer intern for Sen. Michael Rodrigues. (Thanks to NECC faculty sponsor, Steve Russell).
Date: November 18, 2011
To: MCCC Board of Directors
From: Donnie McGee, MCCC Vice President
Re: SAC/VP Report, Worcester, MA
Date: November 18, 2011
Legislative Update: Three key bills await action by the Governor
- Pension Bill enacted by the Legislature –includes an ORP to SERS transfer amendment
- Future employees to have reduced benefits
- Pensions based on 5 year averaging of salaries (3 % reduction)
- Minimum retirement age is increased
- MTA “wins”
- The ORP amendment – 1/3 of our full-time faculty are affected
- A $1,000 increase in the cost-of living-adjustment (COLA) base for retirees
- A reduction in pension cuts for future long-term employees (30+ years
- Casino Bill passed by Legislature includes a new revenue stream for Public Higher Education
- About 5% of the total casino revenues to be dedicated to state colleges and universities, above and beyond the regular appropriation
- Expected revenues: an estimated $20 million per year
- Evergreen Bill enacted by Legislature will allow for collective bargaining agreements to be extended beyond their expiration date while unions and employers negotiate new agreements
ORP to SERS Transfer Initiative – What’s next:
- Governor’s response: 10 days to sign, veto or amend the pension bill
- Favorable Internal Revenue Service Ruling required
- Campus workshops/outreach needed to educate eligible members about
- the transfer opportunity from the ORP to the SERS,
- cost estimates for buyback (and comparison to benefits of SERS retirement package)
- the transfer process, related timelines, & constraints on ORP funds
- Development of an improved retirement orientation program statewide
Adjunct Pension Bill (S 1307) : Awaits action in Public Service Committee; MTA sought its inclusion in the State House Pension Bill.
Adjunct Health Insurance Bill (S.1340): Recommended by PSC; awaits action in the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
ORP Ad Hoc and Strategic Action Committees:
- December meetings to be held for each committee; dates to be determined
“Thanks-giving” Break: Consider writing a note of thanks to these legislators
- Most important: ORP faculty, activists, and union leaders should thank their own State Senators and Representatives
- Thank the Chairs of the Public Service Committee for their leadership on the ORP legislation in each chamber and in the Conference Committee:
- Thank the sponsors of the ORP amendments in the House Pension bill:
- Thank the sponsors of the ORP amendments in the Senate Pension bill:
- Thank State House Leadership:
Contact Congress ASAP to send a message to the “Super-Committee” on Deficit Reduction:
- If you’re concerned about cuts to Social Security, Medicaid, working class families, students, and seniors and want a deficit-reduction plan to create jobs, contact Congress TODAY.
- Tell Congress that you want the “Super-Committee” to find a balanced approach of spending cuts and revenue increases to solve the country’s debt problems.
- Let Senator John Kerry, who serves on this committee, know your concerns, your suggestions.
- A simple way to send an email or written letter to your Congressional leaders is to go to the NEA website at http://www.nea.org/
- In the Take Action section, click on “Tell the “Super-Committee”
- Then compose your own message or choose from a variety of suggested talking points.
- NEA will send an email or a letter to all your leaders in Congress.
- November 23, 2011: Super-Committee’s deadline for decision-making
Correction on October 21, 2011 VP/SAC Report to the Board: Timothy Fitzgerald (not Tim Sullivan) has been appointed MTA’s Acting Director of Higher Education.
MTA Board Conference Call (11/1/11)
- MTA leadership provided an update on the Pension issues and the related lobbying with Representatives on the House pension package.
- The discussion focused on the ORP amendments and other hoped for gains as well as the continuing efforts to reduce the negative impact of this bill on future educators.
HELC Meeting (11/11/11 at the Crowne Plaza in Natick, MA)
- Focused on Higher Ed. Contracts, bargaining and related updates provided by all unions present.
- Emphases: interest in “NAGE-like” offer, begin bargaining early, concerns about funding process (it’s broken”) ,possibility of getting agreed to funding in House 1 budget (or establish CB fund)
Date: September 26, 2011
Dear MCCC Colleagues,
I have attached a copy of my MCCC SAC/VP report to the Board. Also attached is the current MCCC Legislative agenda, updated as of 9/21/11. Thanks for all your lobbying on pension issues in the past two weeks. I will be providing more lobbying requests as is appropriate. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Warm regards,
Donnie
Date: September 1, 2011
Dear SAC and Chapter Leaders and MCCC Faculty and Professional Staff,
I hope this email finds you well and at least somewhat refreshed over the summer months - as our Fall semester has arrived.
I have attached a copy of my August 24th SAC/VP report to the BOD. One key emphasis on this report is the upcoming Revenue Campaign that has been endorsed and is being implemented by the MTA, MCCC, and the statewide Coalition for Our Communities. Also important to note is the October 4th Lobby Day and Public Service Committee Hearings on three key pieces of legislation (the Optional Retirement Plan opt-out bill, the contract funding amendment, and a bill that would permit collective bargaining for early childhood educators). It would be important that every chapter has members present at the State House on this day to support these bills and lobby for their passage. The hearings will begin at 1 pm in Gardner Auditorium.
Date: June 2, 2011
MCCC Legislative Update:
- The MCCC/SAC Legislative agenda can be viewed on the MCCC website: http://www.mccc-union.org/LegislativePriorities/LegislativeAgenda.htm
- All MCCC-endorsed bills are asterisked.
- Note the status below of MCCC-endorsed State House bills:
- H. 1244 - Faculty and College Excellence Act (Reversing the Course of Faculty Hiring Trends):
- Sent to the Joint Committee on Higher Education
- Hearing on June 22nd in Room A2 at 10 am
- Peace Corps Creditable Service Act (H. 2486):
- Sent to the Joint Committee on Public Service
- Hearing on July 26th in Room A1 at 1 pm
- H. 2553/S.1416 - Investing in Our Communities/Revenue Bill:
- Hearing held in Gardner Auditorium on May 5th at the State House before the Joint Committee on Revenue
- President Joe LeBlanc and Donnie McGee testified before a packed auditorium along with MTA and other statewide union leaders, a handful of State House legislators, and community coalition activists.
- Bill awaits action by the committee
- H. 2981 - Amendment to the Collective Bargaining Contract Funding Process (Chapter 150E)
- Sent to the Joint Committee on Public Service
- Hearing on Oct. 4 in Room A1 at 1 pm
- S. 1307 - Adjunct Faculty Pension Bill
- Sent to the Joint Committee on Public Service
- Hearing on July 26th in Room A1 at 1 pm
- S. 1340: Adjunct Faculty Health Insurance Bill
- Sent to the Joint Committee on Public Service
- Hearing held on May 3, 2011
- Betsy Smith submitted written testimony; President Joe LeBlanc testified.
- Bill awaits action by the Committee
- ACTION ALERT: MCCC adjuncts and chapter leaders, please contact state legislators to let them know how important it is for them to support this bill so that adjuncts can be insured in a fair, affordable, and comprehensive way. Ask your legislators if they would support this bill and contact the Public Service Chairs to push the bill forward with a positive recommendation.
- S. 1912: MCCC's Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)/Transfer Opportunity Bill
- Sent to the Joint Committee on Public Service
- Hearing planned for Oct. 4 (other details not yet available
State House Budget:
- The Senate and House have both submitted their respective chamber budgets. Public Higher Education, community services, and aid to cities and towns will be challenged by what many consider is inadequate state funding. Municipal Health Insurance Amendments in both budgets challenge the collective bargaining rights of municipal employees though the Senate's approach is less harsh.
- A Budget Conference Committee with leaders appointed from each chamber will work to resolve the differences in the next three weeks.
- Stay tuned for related political action requests on these issues.
MCCC Strategic Action Committee (SAC) Update:
- The Committee met on April 27, with 11 of the 13 SAC representatives present.
- The SAC legislative agenda was distributed and discussed with an emphasis on the Revenue Bill and its relationship to the funding of our colleges, our effectiveness in serving students, and the ability of any of our legislative priorities to move forward.
- Newly appointed MTA Legislative & Political Action Team (LPAT) Coordinators Rose Freeland and Tiffany Magnolia discussed their LPAT positions, the related statewide LPAT system, and the relationship of this new MTA initiative to MCCC's current political/strategic action structure.
- SAC stipend requests for this past year should have been submitted to Treasurer Phil Mahler and copied to me.
- Brooks Smith and Donnie McGee attended the State House Higher Education Caucus (April 5). The VP shared MCCC and SAC leadership concerns that the funds supporting the Vision Project in House 1 wouldn't help close the achievement gap or support our most vulnerable students. She noted that the chronic underfunding of our campuses diminishes the effectiveness of faculty teaching and the related support services for our students.
ORP Ad Hoc Committee (ORP) Update:
- Meeting on May 17, 2011, fifteen ORP faculty attended from 12 different colleges.
- The new MCCC ORP bill, now officially numbered S 1912, was distributed and discussed. To see the text of the bill, go to: http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/187/Senate/S01912
- An update on Connecticut's similar Alternate Retirement Plan (ARP) campaign was provided.
- A fall ORP Lobby Day is set for October 4., 2011, to coincide with the hearing of the ORP bill before the Public Service Committee. An ORP Lobby Day Subcommittee, co-chaired by Gail Guarino and Donnie McGee, was established to assist in planning this event. Another subcommittee will develop talking points for member education and legislative lobbying.
- Professor Greg Sethares, an ORP-enrolled faculty from Bristol Community College, presented a sample ORP/SERS buyback cost sheet and will complete other sample cost sheets to create a broader understanding of the estimated costs for the transfer buyback opportunity supported by S 1912.
- Stay tuned for related updates and lobbying requests on this ORP campaign.
Date: March 25, 2010
MCCC Legislative Update:
- Supplementary spending bill expected to include $30 M to fund collective bargaining increases for state employees
- Bills filed by MTA have official bill numbers (document to be distributed by email)
- MTA is working with me to finalize and file a new ORP bill
- House 2 budget should be completed in the next two weeks
GIC Re-enrollment Requirement Reminder:
- MA Members who don’t re-enroll this spring will be put into the plan that’s least expensive for GIC (3 months waiver of premium for those who switch to these plans)
- Out-of-state residents are exempt from this re-enrollment requirement
MCCC Strategic Action Committee met on 2/16/11
- SAC leaders to be working with Chapter leaders to set up Campus Breakfasts, In-district meetings, and/or coordinated phone calls with Legislators about MCCC’s legislative agenda/budget concerns:
- April SAC meeting planned; date to be announced
ORP Ad Hoc Committee:
- ORP Committee met on Tuesday, March 8, at 4 pm, MCCC Office
- May meeting to discuss ORP transfer costs, final bill, Public Service Committee Hearing/Testimony, and Lobby Day
- ORP update, with talking points, to be sent out as soon as bill is filed
Wisconsin and Beyond: What you can do to help:
MTA Annual Meeting Delegates: Pre-Convention Meetings (Bring your Budget Book)
-
All meetings: Registration at 3:30 pm, Meeting at 4 pm. Brochure
- Cape & Islands: The Cape Codder Resort, Hyannis, Monday, April 11
- Central Region: Holiday Inn, Marlborough, Tuesday, April 12
- Southeast/Metro Regions: Holiday Inn, Taunton, Wednesday, April 13
- Northeast/Metro Regions, Holiday Inn Select, Woburn,Thursday, April 14
- Western/Berkshire Regions: Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, Thursday, April 28
Date: February 25, 2010
MCCC Legislative Update:
- See handout on bills filed by MTA (MCCC bills are asterisked; note sponsors; Docket Numbers are not official bill numbers
- See handout on State House Leadership, key committees and chairs
- MCCC to file a separate ORP bill
- Evergreen Legislation: “An Act to Clarify Terms of Collective Bargaining Agreements” (Sen. Tolman & Rep. Walsh)
- Political Action – Thank your/your college legislators if they sponsored our bills
- Legislative Calendar:
- Budget hearings (Feb. 22, Rosemarie Freeland; March 4, Donnie McGee)
- March – April, House Budget Deliberations
- April – June, Senate Budget Deliberations
- March through November: bill hearings to be scheduled
GIC Re-enrollment Requirement:
- Members who don’t re-enroll this spring will be put into the plan that’s least expensive for GIC (HR offices on campus notification already provided & GIC postcard reminder forthcoming)
- 3 months waiver of premium for those who switch to these plans
MCCC Strategic Action Committee met on 2/16/11
- Presentation by MTA’s Nancy Stolberg on Legislative & Political ActionTteams (LPAT) initiative
- PowerPoint presentation by Dan Gilbarg on the Coalition Revenues Bill and recommendation that he present this information to the MCCC Board
- Motion to endorse “An Act to Invest in Our Communities” (New Business item)
- Emphasis on getting members educated on legislation, connected to legislators and hosting legislative meetings/coffee hours on campuses
ORP Ad Hoc Committee:
-
ORP Meeting re-scheduled for Tuesday, March 8, at 4 pm, MCCC Office
MCCC Legislative Internship Program for MCCC students:
- Chris Wilbur, Student Trustee from BrCC, to intern in Rep. Canessa’s office this spring
- Applications being sought for summer internship program
- Encourage qualified (3.0) students to apply ($500 stipend).
- Application deadline: March 30, 2011 (extended)
- Go to the MCCC website: http://mccc-union.org/StudentIntern/index.html
Highlights of the MTA Board of Directors’ Meeting:
- Created a Task Force on Distance Learning
- Viewed a PowerPoint presentation on Single Payer Health Care; for more information, go to http://www.masscare.org
- Discussed issues related to municipal health insurance with a motion that emphasized the preservation of collective bargaining at all levels and the goal of reducing costs for all. The BOD also emphasized that one of the principles behind this motion must be: “Single-payer health care is our goal.”
- Viewed a PowerPoint presentation on the Governor’s Pension Reform bill, followed by a Q & A session.
- “Authorized NEA directors to bring forward an amendment that would increase the proposed $3 NEA dues increase to be allocated to the NEA Ballot Initiative Fund to $10 for the NEA Ballot Initiative Fund.” (Mary Ann Alfond, February 2011Board Alert)
Motion by Strategic Action Committee on 2/16/11:
Endorse the current State House bill, “An Act to Invest in Our Communities,” as an MCCC Legislative priority for 2011/2012.
