Clarification: as noted in yesterday's update, before blasting any emails using the state system, you should contact
sandra.perez@state.nm.us That is NOT to get permission from the state--we have the right to use state email. It is simply to give them a heads up so the computer system doesn't crash. The state personnel director specifically has praised Joel Villarreal for his giving them notice prior to sending email (which is required in the section of the contract that allows us to use state email).
Also, and I know that it's probably not one of our folks, please don't threaten legislators. One of our best allies, who got stuck carrying a bill that we don't like (because he's a committee chair--he's been going to bat for us on a number of fronts including protecting our wages),has unfortunately received actual death threats. Not only is it just wrong to do that, but it's counterproductive to our cause. This is an incredibly hard, frustrating time for state and university employees and others who are funded by tax dollars, but we can't resort to threats, bullying, and other attacks on legislators.
Retirement plans
This is the urgent set of calls and emails we need tonight and tomorrow morning. Call and email House Judiciary Committee members asking them to oppose House Bill 573 (Heaton). This is the bill that forces new PERA and ERA members of all employers into a 30-year retirement.
While we may need to tweak PERA and ERA in the next year, there is no reason to just move into a 30-year retirement without looking at the dozen or so other options to improve fund solvency first, like changing the vesting period, varying the multiplier, enacting anti-spiking provisions, etc.
Even if you think your pension might not be affected, remember that this will badly hurt your new co-workers down the road and hurt the ability of your employer to recruit and retain the quality people like we currently have. This is one of the most important factors in choosing to enter and stay in public service, and any dramatic erosion will hurt our ability to deliver quality services with the best people.
The message: PLEASE OPPOSE HOUSE BILL 573. THANK YOU.
Gloria Vaughn (R-Alamogordo) 986-4453
Budget/furloughs/layoffs
Keep making calls and emails opposing the 1.5% PERA switch and asking for revenue alternatives like combined reporting to be used instead. Senate Finance will ultimately be making that call on the Senate side, and their numbers are in the last updates. The bill will also be in Senate Public Affairs, but that committee isn't going to make the final call in the Senate (although we're trying to amend or kill the bill in SPAC, our grassroots calls are best done to Senate Finance).
Carter Bundy
Political Action Representative
AFSCME International
1202 Pennsylvania St. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
(505) 266-2177 ext. 13 (work)
(505) 266-3155 (fax)
