Region X Conference. Legislative Update. September 29, Sarah Weissmann Grassroots Program Manager

Transcription

1 Region X Conference Legislative Update September 29, 2015 Sarah Weissmann Grassroots Program Manager

2 Agenda How Did We Get Here? What Has NARFE Done for Me Lately? 114 th Congress Outlook Protect America s Heartbeat NARFE in the News NARFE-PAC

3 How Did We Get Here? Focus in 2013 was on sequestration and deficit reduction NARFE s efforts were focused on keeping feds and retirees out of any budget deal 16-day government shutdown highlighted Obamacare, as well as spending levels

4 How Did We Get Here? Dec budget deal for FY14 & FY15 spared current feds and retirees Prevented sequestration-related furloughs

5 What Has NARFE Done For Me Lately? FEHBP self plus one option available in 2016 Back pay provided to feds furloughed during the government shutdown Phased retirement now available Extension of reemployed annuitants waiver passed Senate postal bill stalled Chained CPI hasn t moved forward Federal retirees have not had to pay for deficit reduction talks/sequestration offsets

6 113 th Congress ( ) Recap But it wasn t all good news Three-year pay freeze Small pay raises in 2014 and 2015 Two increases in retirement contributions for new hires October 2013 government shutdown Sequestration-related furloughs

7 113 th Congress ( ) Recap Contributions from the federal community to date. $120 Billion!

8 114 th Congress ( ) Fiscal Environment on Capitol Hill Budget fights began in February with release of President s FY16 budget House and Senate budgets passed in March Joint Budget resolution passed in early May Key Drivers: 7 years of sequestration remaining Presidential Election Year

9 FY16 Budget Process FY16 House Budget Resolution included: Increasing FEHBP premiums by tying the government s contribution to inflation 6% Increase in retirement contributions for current feds A decrease in the rate of return on the TSP s G-Fund Increasing federal retirees share of FEHBP premiums by basing the government contribution on years of service Encouraging the total elimination of FERS Eliminating the FERS Annuity Supplement Increasing postal employees share of their FEHBP premiums A 10% reduction of the federal workforce through attrition

10 FY16 Budget Process Now what happens? Joint Budget Resolution Passed both Chambers Assumed savings from federal benefits/workforce cuts, but did not specify how Continuing Resolution in September Likely Still talk of a government shutdown Provisions in budget will continue to be discussed as a part of other legislation. Highway funding expiration, debt ceiling, CR/Omnibus

11 114 th Congress ( ) What else is on the table? Chained CPI Pay freezes or reduced pay raises High-3 to High-5 Changing retirement multiplier Government efficiency as a smokescreen for cuts FECA cuts

12 114 th Congress ( ) NARFE s Legislative Priorities Fighting attacks to federal pay and benefits, including FEHBP Crafting a USPS reform bill that provides actual reform Preventing the Chained CPI Unfortunately, we re still playing defense

13 114 th Congress ( ) NARFE s Legislative Priorities Postal Reform Senate and House introducing independent legislation that will be negotiated during conference Senate legislation Cuts to injured workers compensation now prospective Removed the possible elimination of FERS benefit for new postal employees Keeps mandatory Medicare Part B enrollment for postal retirees and spouses House Legislation yet to be introduced

14 114 th Congress ( ) NARFE s Legislative Priorities Medicare Hold Harmless Provision Similar to fight we saw in 2009 and 2010 Won t know final numbers until mid-october Impacts CSRS retirees who do not pay for Medicare premiums with their Social Security check

15 114 th Congress ( ) What else is the Legislative Dept. working on? OPM data breach DOL Rule regarding retirement investment advice standards Self plus one education campaign Civil service reform Paid parental leave GPO/WEP repeal

16 Protect America s Heartbeat What is Protect America s Heartbeat (PAH)? NARFE s Grassroots Program bottom up, not a top down, approach to advocacy Does not have a start or end date Designed to increase NARFE member engagement in protecting their benefits

17 Protect America s Heartbeat Why does NARFE have PAH? All Politics is Local Grassroots Advocacy Shows: Personal Commitment to an Issue Local Importance of an Issue Momentum for an Issue Constituents are Voters and Voters Elect Members Silence = Acceptance

18 Protect America s Heartbeat How do NARFE members participate in PAH? Write Your Members of Congress Attend Town Halls Make Phone Calls Utilize Social Media Stay up-to-date: Read the PAH Daily Clips Read the weekly Legislative Hotline Join monthly PAH calls Represent NARFE at Community Events

19 Protect America s Heartbeat How can NARFE members be effective? Personalize, Personalize, Personalize! legislation

20 Protect America s Heartbeat When Should I Take Action NOW! Wait until legislation introduced or in news = too late Silence = Acceptance

21 NARFE in the News total press clips including 512 articles in top tier national media 177 letters to the editor

22 NARFE in the News 2015 through September 16th 242 total press clips 25 top tier publications 3 Reporter briefings 2 Op eds from President Thissen 20 Letters to the editor 3 Reporter interviews with NARFE members 1 national television appearance 2 local television appearance

23 Importance of NARFE-PAC NARFE-PAC helps defend YOUR earned pay and benefits by: Electing members of Congress who support the federal community Building meaningful relationships with members that can influence votes Helping our supporters rise to leadership positions, which can influence the congressional agenda The Federal Employee and Retiree Defense Fund

24 NARFE-PAC Consultative Process Federation NARFE-PAC Coordinators poll members and provide recommendations Legislative staff present recommendations to NARFE-PAC Board NARFE-PAC Board make final PAC decisions Made up of 2 elected National Officers and Legislative Director

25 NARFE-PAC Consultative Process Factors Considered by NARFE-PAC Board: NARFE voting record Candidate Questionnaire for candidates Legislator s influence Party leadership position, committee assignment, behind the scenes influence Competitiveness of race Relationship with NARFE members and staff Overall budget

26 NARFE-PAC by the Numbers

27 NARFE-PAC by the Numbers PAC Receipts (contributions from members) FMA NLP NWS FAA NAPS NAPUS NPM NTEU NARFE AFGE NRLCA APWU IAFF NATCA NALC $0 $1,000,000 $2,000,000 $3,000,000 $4,000,000 $5,000,000 $6,000,000 $7,000,000

28 NARFE-PAC Giving Levels Sustainer: monthly credit card contribution of $10+ Gold: $250+ Silver: $ Bronze: $50-99 Basic: $25-49

29 Goals for Cycle Raise $1,000,000 Contribute $525,000 to candidates Increase Sustainers by 25% 50% 100% x x Attend 30 in-state fundraisers PAC tables at every federation convention

30 QUESTIONS?