June 4th, 2007

Folks,
 

As the days get longer and warmer (no - HOT), things slow down at
the Arizona Legislature.  Very few bills are moving these days (in the past 2 weeks - really), and little is being done in the public eye.  There are, however, a bunch
of back-room meetings going with regards to the 2007-2008 fiscal budget.
The House and Senate versions as originally introduced were miles
apart in some areas - yet very close in others.  A huge area of concern
to us is the amount of a state worker pay raise.  You will recall the
House version is set at 3% and the Senate version at 3.25% (with the
dollar difference at less than $2 million).


    After some background research conducted by the House staff (at the
request of Rep. Thrasher), and a well placed telephone call to George
Cunningham (Director of the Governor's office of Strategic Budget
Planning), it was learned that the original amount in the Governor's
budget of $69.5 million is sufficient to cover a 3.5% accross the board
raise - yet both the House and Senate amounts are in the neighborhood of
$88 million.

 
    Thus far, we have not been able to determine the reason for the
variation.  However, I will meet this week with key members of the
Republican budget team in the House and Senate to not only attempt to
answer this burning question - but to ask them to get real on the pay
raise.  If $88 million is the amount - we can then most likely go to 4%
or a flat $1750 for everybody.  Will keep you posted.


    The first of many State Retirement System stakeholder committees
gets underway this week and promise to take up a good deal of time this
summer.  Having attended the ASRS External Affairs meeting this past
Friday, I learned of several projects, and ideas, the system has in mind
for the summer - most of which MUST have labor input.  It is comforting
to know CWA was able to move the system into understanding how vital it
is to have our input and that CWA will be a major player in what moves
forward.


    Back to the legislature - the smart money still has the session
ending around the 25th to the 28th of this month.  I am still thinking
it will be the 29th or 30th (a Saturday - say it isn't so!).  Will keep
you posted.  And while they are waiting, we are hopeful several still
pending ASRS bills make it to the floor of both bodies for final
approval (Military Credit, 25% contributions, Rural Health Care Subsidy).

 
    Locals who are going to be involved in local city council races this
year - please email me with the races you are working on - and any
candidate help you are providing so I can track it.  I am trying to
build a file on where CWA provided help (and what kind) so when the time
comes - we can remind folks of our contributions.
    Everybody have a great week!!

Chuck

--
Political Director
CWA Arizona State Council
Office - 602-266-2620
Cell - 602-828-5828



 

 

May 21st, 2007

 

Folks,

    A not so exciting week last week - except for the Minority Leader in
the House chastising the Speaker Pro-Tem for failing to recognize the
Minority Whip when he wanted to speak on a motion to re-consider the
House version of the State Budget.  Then there was the back and forth
between Rep. Steve Farley (D) and Rep. Sam Crump (R) about who is the
'better Reagan Republican.' (all having to do with the Rep. Farley
taking the Speaker of the House to task for failing to build bridges and
instead blowing them up - or something like that).
    Then there was the announcement on Friday by State Fed Executive
Director Rebekah Friend that the compromise that has been reached on
Workers Compensation reform has been drafted, was heard in Caucus in the
Senate and should go to the floor of the Senate this week with
bi-partisan support.  One minor tweak still remaining - will be taken
care of with a floor amendment.
    Attended the ASRS Board of Directors Meeting on Friday - heard very
encouraging news regarding the fund - seems it may meet or exceed the
benchmarks set for the fund that trigger COLA's for retiree benefit
checks.  Not in time for this year - but definitely in time for next
year.  Will know more after the close of business on June 30.  Same area
- the pending ASRS legislation we have been monitoring closely (Military
Service Credit and 25% of employer contributions returned) are still
held up.  No end in sight - may have a better idea on Tuesday.
    Why on Tuesday?  That is the day the House Leadership will attempt
once again to get it's version of the state budget passed on the floor
of the House.  There have been some minor tweaks rumored (more money for
Healthcare Group, more money for Teacher salaries - potentially more
money for a state employee pay raise - among other minor things).  Still
does not have the support of the Democratic Caucus (at least it looks
like they are still holding together) and without significant tax
credits and other perks for charter schools - will not have the support
of several renegade Republicans (and it is OK for them to vote NO).  If
you have a chance - you can watch it all unfold on COX channel 123 in
the Valley of the Sun (not sure of the channel around the state).  Or go
to the Legislature Website (www.azleg.gov) and watch it from the live
proceedings link.
    Had the pleasure on Saturday to accompany CWA Local 7019 President
Chris Rossie, CWA-AFA Council 66 President Gary Richardson and Council
66  Governmental Affairs Chair Nicki Kirkeby in meetings with city of
Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, U.S.Congressman Ed Pastor, Maricopa County
Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, State Rep. Steve Gallardo, and city of
Phoenix Council Candidate Laura Pastor.  Overall, about 3 hours of face
time with these folks in which many of our local, state and national
concerns were addressed, brainstormed and committments for further
meetings and discussions agreed to.  In the same breath, thanks to
Thomas Sandoval (Local 7017 EVP) and CWA Staff Rep. Larry Larson for
their help in gathering signatures for Mayor Gordon's re-election
campaign.  Joining them were Joe Wieslander and Debi Morrison from the
AFA Council 66 Governmental Affairs Committee.
    This week will see a few bills continuing to move through the
process - and I anticipate some flurry of action on the budget bills -
at the very least - having the Senate version scheduled for hearings in
House Appropriations (where they undoubtedly will be torn apart).
    Ending on a high note, I was privileged to be invited to the Emerge
Arizona 2007 Reception at the home of Stan and Barbara Lubin this past
Friday nite.  There, I met, or reconnected with, dozens of smart,
talented, driven and truly outstanding women who are the future of
politics in Arizona and on a national level.  I was truly inspired by
the class of 2007 and am looking forward to working with ALL of them in
the very near future.  (Emerge Arizona is a nationally recognized
progam, led by Rebekah Friend and Dana Kennedy, providing training for
Democrat women who desire to enter the political arena.)
    Depending on the level of activity this week - there may be daily or
more than daily updates on the budget bills and the progress on other
critical legislation.
    Until then - have a safe week!

    In solidarity,

    Chuck



--
Political Director
CWA Arizona State Council
Office - 602-266-2620
Cell - 602-828-5828

 

 

Folks,

Sorry to have been a little late again this week - however the following
from the Arizona Capitol Times today says it all:

> The House budget appears to have foundered, as the general
> appropriations bill failed on a floor vote May 15. The 27-31 vote came
> after the bill, H2781, was amended by Democrats during floor debate.
>
> While House Majority Leader Tom Boone, R-4, blamed the amendment for
> the bill’s failure, Speaker Jim Weiers said he didn’t know why the
> bill was rejected.
>
> “You never know the outcome until the outcome is done,” he said.
>
> The Democrat amendment removed a provision from the bill that would
> have transferred $62 million from the general construction account to
> the State Transportation Acceleration Needs, or STAN, account to speed
> construction of highways. Democrats and a handful of Republicans
> supported the amendment because it would allow rural areas to receive
> more money.
>
> One Republican said she voted against the bill because her leaders
> tried to fast-track the bills today and left little time for lawmakers
> to evaluate the budget proposal and debate it.
>
> “The process, I thought, was horrible,” Rep. Lucy Mason, R-1, said.
> “My vote was a vote against the rush as much as anything else.”
>
> “I found that the process was lacking.”
>
> House Minority Leader Phil Lopes, D-27, said its unclear what the next
> step in passing a budget will be, but said he still supports the
> Senate budget package, which was negotiated with legislative Democrats
> and Gov. Janet Napolitano.
>
> Likewise, Weiers said he didn’t know what the next step would be and
> said the House would wait for the Senate to pass its budget. The upper
> chamber is expected to act on its budget package May 16.
>
> Republicans opposing the bill on the vote were: Andy Biggs, R-22;
> Jennifer Burns, R-25; Eddie Farnsworth, R-22; Trish Groe, R-3; Pete
> Hershberger, R-26; and Mason.
>
It was a sight to behold and threw a huge monkey wrench into Speaker Jim
Weiers intentions of 'bullying' the Senate in submission since the
Senate version of the State Budget was done in conjunction with both
parties and the Governor's Office.
It will be interesting tomorrow as the Senate is poised to pass out all
of it's bills with regards to the budget and forward them to the House
for consideration. I would anticipate nothing being brought to the floor
in the House - or to the Appropriations Committee in the House - for
several days while the House Republican leadership does some arm
twisting and backroom negotiating.
Nice to see - the 6 Republicans who voted against the bill as well as
all of the Democrats (in unity - finally).

In other news, the ASRS Military Credit purchase bill is currently
languishing as a result of being sent to a conference committee (which
did pass the bill out after a slight amendment). It now needs to be
recalendered in the House. No word on when. SB1060, the bigger ASRS bill
is still awaiting to be brought to floor in the House (Committee of the
Whole - COW). This is somewhat suprising right now - however - because
there was some money attached - it is probably going to be held for a
couple of weeks until more of the budget gets settled.
It appears the Senate budget will contain a state worker pay raise of
3.25% (.25% of that is related to performance). This is just the first
figure and we need our state worker organizers to kick the $2400
postcard campaign into a little higher gear as well as sending those
emails and making those phone calls urging (nicely) the elected folks to
do the right thing. It is clearly a doable pay raise with some massaging
of the current Senate version of the budget. It is just a matter of them
being willing to do so. Keep the pressure on.
This weekend Local 7019, and AFA Council 66 members (and anybody else
who would like to join in) will be walking and gathering signatures for
current city of Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon (meet at Cesar Chavez Park -
35th Ave and Baseline at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday). Members of Unite will
also be participating - a great opportunity for some networking among
good union members.
HB2195, the Workers compensation Death Benefit bill sponsored by Rep.
Konopnicki is being amended to take care of an increase in the Workers
Compensation benefit in Arizona. Thanks to a great effort by Rebekah
Friend from the State Fed, along with a great deal of help from Senator
Carolyn Allen, the benefit under HB2195 will increase from its current
$2400/month to $3000/month effective July 1, 2007 and $3600 month
effective July 1, 2008. Thereafter, the amount will be indexed to the
average weekly/monthly wage in Arizona and will increase a maximum of 5%
thereafter. This is a huge step for Arizona Workers and shows the power
of labor when we all work together.
Look for daily updates (if there is anything specific to report) as the
budget process moves forward.

On a bright note - I have spoken to Rep. Chad Campbell and Rep. Thrasher
about some of the issues facing our members at the School for the Deaf
and Blind - in particular the 3-year probation issue. Both have assured
me that WILL be a topic of conversation for our committee over the
summer - and in fact - they will be working on that issue in the very
near future to determine why there is such a discrepancy between ASDB
workers and other state workers.

In solidarity - Chuck Foy

--
Political Director
CWA Arizona State Council
Office - 602-266-2620
Cell - 602-828-5828

 

 

 

 

May 1st, 2007

 

Folks,

    Sorry about the delay on last weeks report - kinda wanted to wait to see what happened yesterday with the rumors flying last week the House would drop several bills related to the budget.  And drop they did.  14 bills - with the largest being almost 200 pages long.  And to top it off, the House Appropriations Committee (led by the R's) met yesterday afternoon and passed all of the bills even though the Democrats had less than 2 hours to review all 14 bills.  Some of the Dems voted with the Republican majority - some did not.  Interestingly enough, Democrat Linda Lopez was able to get an amendment onto HB2781 the General Appropriations Bill raising state worker pay raises to 3% instead of the 2.5% proposed by the R's.  If you want to see these bills for yourself, follow this link:  http://www.azleg.gov/Bills.asp?FirstBill=HB2751&LastBill=HB2800
    Many of the issues outlined and identified still have to be worked out - and we are a LONG way from being done as the folks in the Senate have what is rumored to be a much more conservative plan, in particular with regards to tax cut proposals.  We are still working with our Dem friends in the Senate on our own version of a state worker pay raise.  More to come as we move along. 
    An update on other bills affecting mostly our public sector workers:

    HB2145 - ASRS - Long Term Disability - this bill has been signed by Governor Napolitano (4/24) and will go into effect on July 1, 2008.  Essentially it changes the look back period for determining LTD to 6 months and reduces the Social Security Offset payments to 85% for all disability claims (this will only affect those hired after 7/1/08).  (We still plan on some work on this issue, and many others, through our meetings that are planned for this summer with a stakeholders committee made up of legislators, ASRS folks, public worker union folks - including the teachers - and others).

    HB2147 - ASRS Investment Management - this bill has been amended a couple of times with the most striking amendment being that ASRS divest itself of all holdings with any connection to the country of Sudan.  This would literally be a multi-billion (yes billion) dollar hit on the fund.  Therefore, a conference committee has been set up to work out the differences between the version passed in the House and the version that was amended in the Senate.  We are probably still a couple of weeks away from resolution on this one.

    HB2148 - ASRS - Active Military Service Credit - this is another bill that made it out of the House is pretty good time - inasmuch as it allows the purchase of active service military time by an ASRS member.  However, when it got the Senate, Senator Huppenthal (a perennial problem when it comes to any retirement issues) decided to add a floor amendment on 4/19 placing a sunset clause (2009).  So now, this one has been recommended to a Conference Committee and I look for it to come out of Committee without the Sunset Clause (which is the way the sponsor and ASRS want it.  We have concurred with removing the sunset clause).  However, the Conference Committee has not yet been appointed.  This one, which is a really good idea, may be dead.

    SB1060 - ASRS Omnibus - Most of you will remember this one as the original HB2141 that called for 85 points and 5-year wage averaging.  Those provisions have been removed and now the bill only has a small appropriation in it for some IT work, a way to recover overpayments to participants, and a maximum of 25% of employer money provided to a non-retiring member of ASRS who leaves after five years but does not retire.  The old provisions called for up to a 100% return of employer contributions after 10 years.  This will save the system a considerable amount of money over several years.  This was a CWA negotiated agreement with the system.  However, the bill is currently held up in House Rules - it's fate is unknown as it has been there for several weeks with no movement.  This one, if it ever comes out and is passed and signed, will not go into effect until 7/1/08 and will affect only those joining the system after that date.

    SB1199 - ASRS - Unclaimed monies - This bill, which provides that ASRS benefits (money) that have been abandoned by participants for a variety of  reasons, will stay in the ASRS Trust fund earning interest instead of being forwarded to the Department of Revenue and held in separate trust.  This is not huge amount of money - but it does have the potential to earn several million dollars over the next few years.  Of course, if a participant is located, or decides they do really want the money due them, the benefit will be paid.

    SB1200 - Public Supplemental Defined Contribution Plans - this bill has been signed by Governor Napolitano (4/18).  Essentially, this bill:
<>    1.      Removes the one percent minimum employee contribution rate to a supplemental DC plan.
    2.      Requires an employee election to a supplemental DC plan to be a specific, prescribed, irrevocable amount.   
</>    3.      Permits employers to contribute employer matching contributions to any supplemental defined contribution plan established by the employer.
    4.      Removes specific statutory authority that allows contributions over IRC limits to be contributed to the employee’s plan.
    Now, employees who participate in a defined contribution plan will have more control over their investments and matching funds if any. 

   That's it right now for the majority of ASRS related bills. 

    SB1549 - Public Safety Radio Communications; Liability - This bill, sponsored by Sen. O'Halleran, will exempt certain folks from liability if a public safety radio system fails for any reason.  Our interest in this legislation has to do with our installers who work on public safety systems.  The bill has been transmitted to Governor Napolitano (4/25) and is awaiting her signature (which is expected).

    Seems the race for Congress in District 1 (seat currently held by Rick Renzi (R)) is already beginning to heat up with State Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D) forming an exploratory committee last week.  Rep. Kirkpatrick cannot formally announce her candidacy until after Jan 1, 2008.  Another likely candidate is Sen. Tom O'Halleran (R - Sedona).  I would expect him to get his exploratory committee up and running in the near future.  One other mentioned for this race is former State Senate President Ken Bennett.

   Also seen as no surprise around Jan 1 will be an announcement by current Senate President Tim Bee (R - Tucson) that he will seek the congressional seat currently occupied by Gabby Giffords. 

    For those in the Phoenix metro area, Phil Gordon is actively seeking support for his campaign, to include getting signatures on nominating petitions.  The Gordon Campaign has asked CWA to be participant in a walk for signatures day on May 19th (initial gathering at Cesar Chavez Park - 35th Ave and Baseline at 9:00 a.m.).  Local presidents and political committees have been asked to gauge support for CWA's participation in things that day.  If you are interested in helping, please let me know so I can advise the campaign.

    Being a presence at the legislature on a daily basis has it's ups and downs.  And it's benefits.  Seems Sen. Burton-Cahill will be establishing an ad-hoc committee to address re-districting for legislative and congressional districts this summer and has asked me to sit on that committee.  Additionally, Rep. Chad Campbell will be heading a committee to address issues affecting the Arizona School(s) for the Deaf and Blind in both Phoenix and Tucson and has asked for CWA participation.  I anticipate being on this committee along with Linda Hatfield.  Additional Reps will be David Shapira, Jackie Thrasher, and David Lujan.  This will help us get a better handle on issues and of course, enhance our ability to organize workers at the schools.

    Judy Brown, Scott Ramsey and I attended the annual Arizona Department of Corrections Employee Appreciation Picnic last week at Wesley Bolin Plaza.  Collectively we spoke to over 100 workers and gave out a number of packets containing sign-up cards.  Judy is working to put together several meetings with workers over the next couple of weeks in order to get the internal committees moving.

    And saving the best for last.  Rep. Andy Tobin (R-1) signed a CWA-ASEA card this past week.  Rep. Tobin has been significantly involved in our fight for a decent pay raise for State Workers.  Although it appears his recommendations were not heeded - it sure is nice to have a member leading our charge.

    More to come as the budget process proceeds - the smart money has the Legislative session going until the end of May.

    Questions - give me an email or call.

    In solidarity,

    Chuck Foy

    
-- 
Political Director
CWA Arizona State Council
Office - 602-266-2620
Cell - 602-828-5828

 

 

April 16th, 2007

 

Folks,

    Not a lot to update you on this week (grin).
    HB2145 (Long Term Disability) is on Final Read this week in the
House following the amendment we put on in the Senate (Rep. McClure
concurred on the amendment).  It was supposed to have been voted on this
past Thursday - however - for some reason the Speaker elected not to
hear anything on Final Read (could have been due to absences of
Republicans on the floor).
    SB1060 - the striker on the ASRS omnibus bill - is awaiting a
hearing in the House Rules committee.  I am unsure of a timeline for it
to come out - and I anticipate that it will pass on the House floor and
go back to the Senate with a recommendation that Sen. Gorman concur. 
However - since this is the last week for hearing bills on a
self-imposed deadline by both Speaker Weiers and President Bee - it
could die for lack of a hearing.  At that point, a discharge petition
would have to be sought - unlikely.
    HB2369 - the sign walker bill - passed out of the Senate on Tuesday
and has been sent to Governor Napolitano.  The Dems are not happy with
the bill - neither are most of the cities and towns - along with several
neighborhood groups.  Our support is still attached to bill because of
its implications (loss of jobs, free speech, and our committment to the
sponsor).  Rumor is it will be vetoed - will let you know.
    I worked with Judy Brown at the Adult Department of Corrections on a
couple of occasions this past week and plan on being with her most of
this upcoming week depending on the schedule in the House and Senate. 
Although things were slow last week, I am confident as the workers see
us on a regular basis they will be much more approachable.
    I will be meeting with the Governor's budget staff this week
regarding the $2400 pay raise CWA is recommending for all state
workers.  To that end, I spoke with Alan Stephens (Chief of Staff -
Operations) as recently as yesterday afternoon and assured him we are
anxious to work with staff on a plan that is good for workers as well as
taxpayers.  Hope to have more on this by my next report.
    This week will also bring a chance to visit with the 7019 Retiree
Club (Wed evening) and the 7019 Legislative Committee (Thurs evening). 
If you have a membership or committee meeting in your local you would
like me to attend, please let me know.  The more information we provide
to active and retired members, the better.
    The highlight of my week was a meeting on Friday with Congresswoman
Gabrielle Giffords (D-8) at the University Club here in Phoenix. 
'Gabby' updated the attendees on her work thus far and spoke of how
challenging the work is.  She outlined her continued support for the
Employee Free Choice Act and other important labor friendly
legislation.  During the discussion, attendees spoke of challenges
facing the steel and mining industries, the Railroad industry, and a
long discussion on the state of public employee retiree health care
funding (led by Tim Hill of the Phoenix FireFighters).  It all has to do
with a recently implemented accounting principle that will have far
reaching effects on public employers who provide retiree health care
(the GASB45 standard - liability fully funded), as well as any other
taxpayer funded retirement benefits.  While unaware of the issue prior
to the discussion, Congresswoman Giffords pledged to assist wherever
possible.
    At the request of CWA Staff Representative Joe Gosiger, I attended a
meeting this past Monday with several business leaders, lobbyists, trial
lawyers, non-affiliate labor lobbyists, along with Sen. Leff, Sen. Allen
and Rep. McCommish regarding HB2189 - workers compensation.  Although we
had been left out of the process (probably intentional), it was clear at
the end of the meeting that the non-affiliates DO NOT speak for the
house of labor in Arizona - the State AFL-CIO does that and it was made
even clearer by David Hernandez, Field Director of the State Fed.  It is
not clear if this band-aid approach bill will move any further -
especially with Sen. Allen not in support - she has her own bill -
SB1318 which is not moving and is supported by the Industrical
Commission - and the State Fed not in support.  A good deal of the
discussion surrounded the 'rumor' the state Fed will be running a
Workers Comp initiative in 2008.  Fear can be a powerful motivator.

    With that - I will close and wish all of you a great week.

     Chuck Foy

--
Political Director
CWA Arizona State Council
Office - 602-266-2620
Cell - 602-828-5828