Legislative Update

The following is an email recieved from our members lobbying in Carson City on our behalf:

Hi to all,
Please share the following with your members. The informal Benefits Coalition discovered on Monday, March 30 that the salary cuts and PEBP issues were to be heard Wednesday, April 1. It had not been announced. Along with RPEN, all coalition members were, and are, concerned about the same issues. We all met and came up with what would be said at the committee hearing and who would testify if allowed. At the committee hearing most of the Democrats, in addition to Republicans Raggio and Gansert, voiced opinions that we would be treated fairly and that all our benefits would not be cut. Buckley announced that no actual decisions can be made before the Economic Forum submits its budget on May 1. We have been meeting continuously with leaders of both parties and, in fact, met with Senator Woodhouse immediately after the Ways and Means/Finance Committee meeting. Several things did not come up at the hearing. One had to do with sunsetting any cuts that might be made so they could be reinstated when the economy turns around. Another was pushing back the timetable from July 1, 2009 to the following year so people could have time to make these life-changing decisions. Although most of the committee members made great supporting statements, we know the battle is not over and things change in a nanosecond over here, so we are not letting down our guard. We will continue to put pressure on the lawmakers and will not let them forget that many of them are in the positions they are in because seniors vote and our support is very important to their future as legislators. We will try to get another bulletin out as soon as there is anything new to report. We hope to see you all soon.
Gaye and Bob Johnston.