NARFE NEWSLETTER GREATER BOWIE-CROFTON AREA CHAPTER 1747 National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association Volume 36 No. 7 narfe1747.org May 2018 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS are held at the Bowie Senior Center, 14900 Health Center Drive Bowie, 20716 in Room 4. Meeting dates are the third Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM except in July and August. There is never a charge to attend and all meetings are open to the public. Please check your current newsletter or our website for any changes. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS are held the first Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM in Conference Room 125, Bowie Senior Center. All chapter members are welcome. POSTAL ADDRESS: NARFE Chapter 1747, P.O. Box 504, Bowie, MD 20718 NOTE: Chapter meetings are cancelled when Prince George s County schools are closed due to inclement weather. Otherwise, meetings are held as scheduled. COMING ATTRACTIONS PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Frank Lee May 3 May 10 May 12 May 15 May 17 May 26 May 28 May 31 Executive Board Meeting, Bowie Senior Center, 10:00am-noon NARFE Federal Benefits Institute Webinar, 2:00p, www.narfe.org/institute, Federal Benefits as a New Employee Crofton Parade NARFE Federal Benefits Institute Webinar, 2:00p, www.narfe.org/institute, Preparing for Financial Emergencies General Meeting, Kenhill Center, Legislative Wrap-up Bowie Memorial Day Parade Memorial Day NARFE Federal Benefits Institute Webinar, 2:00p, www.narfe.org/institute, Protecting Your Retirement for Singles and Self Plus One Individuals According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Federal Government is on track to have a $1 trillion deficit in 2020 and to continue running yawning deficits for years to come. On a basic level, this means that the U.S. government is spending way more money than it brings in. The United States has been running a deficit every year since 2002, but the situation is about to get worse. The country has never run this high of a deficit during good economic times. If spending keeps up at this pace, President Trump and his successors are going to have less flexibility to pump up the economy during a downturn or even a crisis. The United States is able to run such high deficits because the U.S. Treasury sells U.S. debt to investors around the world. Right now, a lot of people want to buy U.S. government bonds, even though America already has $15 trillion in debt. But the problem is no one knows when people might stop buying U.S. debt or demand much higher rates of return. The U.S. government ran trillion-dollar deficits each year from 2009 to 2012, but that was during a terrible economic period when America was trying to climb back from the global financial crisis and ensuing recession. The government spent heavily to try to revive the economy. Now growth is healthy, unemployment is extremely low (4.1 percent) and confidence is strong. In times like these, the U.S. government has always narrowed the budget deficit or even run a surplus as it did from 1998 to 2001. But instead of improving the government s budget, Congress is going the opposite direction and adding to it. Maya MacGuineas of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget said that it shows Congress has lost any will to make hard choices to fix near record debt levels we re already facing.
President s Message continues from page 1 The CBO notes that by 2028, the debt held by the public will be at the highest level (as a percent of the U.S. economy) since World War II. A day of reckoning is likely to come at some point where the United States will have to raise taxes or cut benefits and programs that many people have come to rely on or some combination of both. Many Americans under 50 are likely to face some pain from this, and the under 35 population will likely be especially hard pressed to pay more to the government while getting back far less than their parents and grandparents did. Spending on everything from Social Security to roads, research and schools could potentially decline. While Trump campaigned on reducing the debt, he and the GOP-led Congress have made the deficit worse in the past year according to the CBO. The massive tax cut, especially for corporations, is expected to cut government revenue by $1.3 trillion over the next decade. After taking into account rising interest rates, the tax bill passed in December will cost the country $1.9 trillion over that time period. In addition, the budget bill that Congress just passed increased spending by about 10 percent for both the military and domestic programs. According to the CBO what Trump and the Congress have done since June is estimated to make deficits $2.7 trillion larger than previously projected in the next decade. Submission of Profiles in Service for 2018 Dr. Bruce Fowler, Chair of the NARFE MD Federal Legislative Committee is encouraging chapter members to submit a profile for the 2018 Profiles in Service Book. This was a very successful project in 2017 and was well received by members of Congress and others who received a copy of the 2017 profiles book. I encourage Chapter 1747 members to submit a biography for the 2018 profiles book and intend to submit one myself. You just need to identify the department and agency that you worked for and describe your duties and achievements beginning with the words I am (name). I know that you all had distinguished careers and encourage you to share your achievements with your fellow retirees and the public. Please send your profiles to Pat Farmer by email at buttonspaf@aol.com. Voting for NARFE National Leadership Candidates NARFE members who are running for national office in 2018 have submitted their candidacy statements in the March NARFE magazine. NARFE will offer all members the opportunity to vote online or by mail via a ballot which will be included in the June issue of the magazine, with instructions for print or online voting. This is a change from previous years where delegates selected by chapters voted at the National Convention. This change allows each NARFE member to vote directly for his or her choice. Recommendations on the Bylaws/Resolutions Proposals The MD Federation Executive Committee and the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee has made recommendations on the adoption or rejection of the Bylaws/Resolutions Proposals plus four additional proposals which NARFE members will be voting on in the next few months. Please review the recommendations before voting on the proposals at www.narfe.org/pdf/bylaws_and_resolutions_book.pdf. Bowiefest Bowiefest brings Bowie s civic organizations, entertainers and businesses to one place for one day. The 2018 Bowiefest celebration will be held on Saturday, June 2 at Allen Pond Park. It is an opportunity for NARFE Chapter 1747 to introduce itself to thousands of people. Please volunteer to help us staff our booth. June BaySox Social Event Chapter 1747 has an exciting social event scheduled for June 14 at the Bowie BaySox stadium. For $26 per person, we will have our own area to socialize in, have a delicious buffet dinner, and be given a game ticket and parking is free. Details of the event are listed in the newsletter. Please plan to join us on this exciting evening. FEDERAL LEGISLATION Jerry Kursban NARFE ACTION ALERT FOR MAY: TAKE ACTION Your Pay and Benefits are at Significant Risk President Trump's FY19 budget, which was released on February 19, included a freeze on federal employee pay in 2019 and also included many proposals that target federal pay and benefits, which would amount to $192 billion in cuts over 10 years. NARFE President Richard G. Thissen commented that "This budget request is a continuation of unprecedented attacks on the pay and benefits of our nation's public servants by this White House." (See pages 6-8 of your May 2018 NARFE Magazine for details.) You are advised that Unlike other proposals in the FY19 budget, the president has the authority to freeze pay absent congressional action." It is suggested that you "Visit NARFE's Legislation Action Center now to write, tweet or call your legislator and ask them to reject this pay freeze and authorize a modest pay raise for Feds in the appropriation process." See page 10 for "New Ways to Take Action: Write, Tweet and Call your Legislators" for guidance. Also, a reminder that pay raises/freezes for federal employees and COLAs for retirees are determined differently and are completely separated from one another. President Trump has Ordered an Overhaul of the U. S. Postal Service Business Model President Trump issued an executive order to form an administrative task force, to be led by Treasury Secretary Steven Manuchin, and directed it to evaluate the Postal Service's finances and operations. The order directs the task force to issue a report outlining proposed changes within 120 days. The order stipulates that "the steep decline in First-Class mail volume coupled with legal mandates that
compel the USPS to incur substantial and inflexible costs, have resulted in a structural deficit where revenues are no longer sufficient to fund the pension liabilities and retiree health obligations owed to current employees." The order states that the Postal Service has incurred $65 billion of cumulative losses since the Great Recession ended in 2009 and that it must make changes so that it operates under a "sustainable business model." In FY 2017, USPS revenue was $69.6 billion and net revenue was $2.74 billion. The NARFE Bill Tracker on page 12 of your May 2018 NARFE Magazine shows NARFE support for continuation of six-day delivery, restoration of service standards in effect on July 1. 2012, and to ensure continuation of door-to-door delivery for all businesses and residential customers. NARFE opposes a requirement for postal retirees to enroll in Medicare in order to continue receiving their current federal health insurance coverage. Enrollment would be automatic. $150 million revenue write-down. The expected state revenue did not come in as projected for last year. $100 million to pay for mandatory spending. The governor had cuts in his budget, but they were restored by the legislators SB 187. $200 million was restricted to be spent on future education costs. The result is $100 million out of the $550 million is left to be returned to the citizens from high-tax Maryland. Less than 20% of the windfall will be returned to the people who earned it despite commitments to the contrary. Apparently, the legislators know how to spend our money better than we do. Which proves you can tax on tax on tax. REMINDER: Vote in the 2018 NARFE Elections At the NARFE 2016 Convention in Reno, members voted in favor of a historic decision that each member would have a vote in NARFE elections. You are eligible to vote in the forthcoming election if you are a member in good standing as of March 15, 2018. You can vote online or by mail. Voting ends on June 30. Information about NARFE elections is available at www.narfe.org/2018balloting. See page 25 of your May 2018 NARFE Magazine for details. STATE LEGISLATION Ed Bice The federal tax legislation that was enacted in 2017 is expected to provide a windfall to state coffers starting with tax year 2018. The law increases the standard deduction to $12,000 for single filers and $24,000 for joint filers, eliminates personal exemptions, and caps state and local taxes at $10,000. Governor Hogan, Senate President Miller, House Speaker Busch all indicated that they support legislation that would return all the windfall amount to Maryland tax payers. Governor Hogan's bill which would have returned all the money to tax payers was rejected. The only piece of legislation that was passed increased the Maryland standard deduction by $500 and $1,000 to $2250 (single filers) and $4500 (joint filers). No legislation was passed that involved the itemize issue. The situation for Maryland taxpayers is that since the federal standard deduction was doubled in the new law it is likely to result in more people choosing the standard deduction as opposed to itemizing. Marylanders must use the standard deduction on their state returns if they used the standard deduction on their federal return. The problem is that more people in this state itemize than take the standard deduction. The increase in Maryland's standard deduction would only reduce one's state and local taxes by $40.00. No legislation was passed that addressed the itemize issue. The expected increase in state revenues from the federal tax law change is approximately $550 million. Here is where the monies have been allocated or restricted by the legislators:. LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER We are seeking candidates to fill the following positions. Assistant Treasurer Service Officer Chapter Secretary Web Master IN MEMORIAM OF CHAPTER 1747 MEMBERS April Virginia Pearl Orr member 21 years TREASURER S REPORT Balance on: February 28, 2018 $11,314.20 Receipts: $ 483.11 Disbursements: $1,784.99 Balance on: February 28, 2018 $10,012.32 Reserve for Alzheimer's Fund $409.00 GENERAL MEETING MAY 17 th @ KENHILL CENTER LEGISLATIVE WRAP-UP
CHAPTER 1747 OFFICERS Officers Name Contact Number E-Mail Address President Frank Lee 410-672-5065 fllee0716@verizon.net Vice President Jerry Kursban 301-261-3329 jkursban@gmail.com Treasurer Vanessa Washington 301-883-4904 vwash411@comcast.net Asst. Treasurer Vacant -- -- Secretary Vacant -- -- Committee Chairs Federal Legislation Jerry Kursban 301-261-3329 jkursban@gmail.com State Legislation Edward Bice 301-464-3748 de3637@verizon.net Chapter Editor Vanessa Washington 301-883-4904 vwash411@comcast.net Alzheimer Chair Edward Bice 301-464-3748 de3637@verizon.net NARFE/PAC Chair Edward Bice 301-464-3748 de3637@verizon.net Network Coordinator Howard Gordon 301-464-2745 flash@acm.org Service Officer Vacant -- -- BAYSOX GAME NARFE ANNUAL EVENT JUNE 14, 2018 HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!! SIGN UP TODAY AND ENJOY AN EVENING OF FOOD, DRINKS AND BASEBALL!! BOWIE BAYSOX STADIUM 4101 NE CRAIN Hwy BOWIE, MD 20716 JUNE 14, 2018 Greater Bowie-Crofton Area NARFE News NARFE News is published ten times a year (monthly from September through June) by Greater Bowie-Crofton Area Chapter 1747, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, P.O. Box 504, Bowie, MD 20718-0504. Vol. 36, No. 7 Dues payments, gifts, and contributions to NARFE are not deductible as Charitable Contributions for income tax purposes.