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RIFTHP Prevents Pension Fund RaidThe RIFTHP was successful in convincing a majority of the members of the House of Representatives to reject a House Finance Committee recommendation to underfund the pension fund by $12.9 million this year. By a narrow 39-36 vote, the House voted down Article 5, first proposed by Governor Chafee, to prevent the transfer of the Fiscal Year 2012 surplus into the Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI). This supplemental pension payment is in addition to the annual required contribution (ARC) determined by the Retirement Board. RIFTHP President Frank Flynn wrote to each Senator and Representative a direct plea to maintain the commitment to add funding into the pension plan. In making a reference to the decision to fund the 38 Studios bond, Flynn asked the Assembly “How can the Assembly provide money for Wall Street investors under the guise of a moral obligation yet fail to fund retiree benefits where there is both a moral and a legal obligation?” To view his letter, click here. In 2007, the Assembly enacted a law that required the surplus from any fiscal year (determined after an audit is completed and making the required contribution into the Rainy Day Fund) shall be transferred to the ERSRI by the State Comptroller. That provision was not triggered until this year because the previous fiscal years ended with a deficit. Governor Chafee did not transfer the surplus after the audit was complete on December 20, 2012. He asked the Assembly to renege on its commitment to provide extra money into the pension fund. This issue is particularly important because COLAs have been suspended by the 2011 Raimondo/Chafee pension bill until the fund is healthier. After the vote on Tuesday, as midnight approached, the House went into recess, returning on Wednesday June 26. The Assembly leaders permitted the vote to stand and balanced the budget by assuming state worker positions would be left vacant longer and reduced the Raimondo initiative to fund road construction, among other items. In addition to the RIFTHP, AFSCME Council 94 and the AARP both offered letters urging the Assembly to reject Article 5. The 39 Representatives who voted to support us by rejecting Article 5 are as follows:
Those voting to support the Chafee proposal to avoid the pension payment are as follows:
Rhode Island Teachers Advisory Council Moving AheadLegislation to create a statewide teachers advisory council (RITAC) was recently approved by the House, clearing the way for final approval. The RITAC will consist of a one teacher representing each school district selected by the local union. It will also include two charter school representatives and one mayoral academy representative. The purpose of the council is to: Provide teachers with the ability to inform policymakers about implementation, concerns, and or practical issues regarding regulations and/or policies, whether proposed or promulgated; bring voices of classroom teachers into the conversation about policies and regulations which impact classroom activities; and improve the conversation about the policies and regulations regarding our education system to ensure their successful implementation that benefits all Rhode Island students.
School Safety Legislation Passes AssemblyRIFTHP President Frank Flynn participated in efforts to revise existing school safety legislation in response to the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown CT. 2 sets of bills emerged from those efforts. The House versions of the bills were recently approved by the House and Senate. The Senate versions of the bills have passed the Senate and are awaiting approval by the House on June 27. The bills were introduced by Senate Education Committee Chair Hanna Gallo and House HEW Chair Joseph McNamara. School Safety Plan Approval Process S0800A/H5940A School Safety Assessment S0801A/H5941A Once the Senate versions of the bills are passed by the House, they will all be sent to the Gonvernor for his signature.
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