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Benefit Allowance No Longer Threatened!

OPEA, once again, has done a great job in telling their legislators how important the benefit allowance is to state employees and their families. After visiting with OPEA members and staff, Rep. Mulready has agreed to remove the benefit allowance section from SB 305.

 

SB 305 is no longer harmful to state employees, but will actually be helpful. As written the bill only sets up health savings accounts pre-tax for employees who choose that option.

 

OPEA appreciates Rep. Mulready amending SB 305. He has told us that he would like to work with OPEA during the interim to address health insurance and total compensation issues for state employees.

 

If you would like to thank Rep. Mulready for amending the bill, his e-mail address is glen.mulready@okhouse.gov.

Posted on Wed, April 20, 2011 by Trish Frazier

10 comments (Add your own)

1. Mike Rogers wrote:
Thanks to OPEA and everyone that e-mailed or called. This is what it takes to protect state employees and our benefits. The days of saying, "I don't need to be a member because I will get what everyone else gets!", is over. You will be getting what everyone else gets, furloughs, lost benefits, etc. Maybe if all 30,000 state employees were OPEA members this would not be happening to state employees. We must all come together now, be a member and be heard. Make the investment, join now!!! Thanks OPEA

Wed, April 20, 2011 @ 1:57 PM

2. Brandon Bowman wrote:
I'm proud to be a member of the only organization out there fighting for what is best for state employees. Thank you, OPEA, and thanks to everyone who call and emailed the legislature. Together we can accomplish great things!

Thu, April 21, 2011 @ 7:28 AM

3. JimP wrote:
Thanks OPEA for keeping us informed and thanks to everyone who called and emailed. Strange thing, this. I called my Represenatives office (Wessellhoft from Moore) on Tuesday afternoon and the very nice lady I spoke with had NO Information about this bill, she seemed to be very shocked and upset when I told her the details. Wondering if I was the first one to call... I know we're all busy, but we've got to make ourselves known more. There is always Voice Mail, :)

Thanks again, we did it with perserverance!

Thu, April 21, 2011 @ 8:55 AM

4. Bobby wrote:
I am very happy that current employees benefit allowance has been saved. However, lets not forget that HB2132 that will end COLAS for retirees is running full steam ahead. This is the same as a reduction in benefit allowance for insurance for retirees. Again I'm happy that current employees dodged a bullit, but the gun remains pointed at retirees. Everyone give us your help because you may be a retiree someday soon.

Thu, April 21, 2011 @ 11:53 AM

5. Linda wrote:
It should be a requirement to be an employee to be member of OPEA. Then, we would be fully funded and "armed" to tackle any type of situation with Legislature.

How can we get every employee to become a member???

The pizza dinners are not doing it, the non members go and eat and walk away.

How can we get every employee to become a member?

Thu, April 21, 2011 @ 12:37 PM

6. MG wrote:
Linda, that is NOT what we need. First of all such an action would have to run through the legislature, and the chances of getting such a measure passed are about as likely as you winning the lottery. Second, that would essentially turn OPEA into a "union", and we've seen what kind of publicity and backlash public unions are receiving these days. We definitely need more state employees to join OPEA, but it needs to stay what it currently is - a lobbying group.

Fri, April 22, 2011 @ 11:07 AM

7. Khan wrote:
Great job OPEA on exposing this scheme and keeping everyone informed. Thank you to all who rallied to the cause.

Fri, April 22, 2011 @ 4:51 PM

8. Bud wrote:
Thank you OPEA and all those who helped. Isn't it a shame that after all the years we've put into getting these benefeits that now we're just happy in saving them. No payraises since 2006? We're still furloughing. All we've really got was Correctional Officers will no longer be called guards? Oh, and last year we got the extra Holiday for Christmas. Plus, the legislators are bragging they get to go home early....

Mon, April 25, 2011 @ 11:15 AM

9. tired state worker wrote:
According to a Senate staffer, they are being furloughed right now,,, does anyone know this for a fact!!!! and I was told that Senators would take furlough days this month!!!! anything?????

Tue, April 26, 2011 @ 1:18 PM

10. Bud wrote:
I was told the same thing by Senator Fords assistant, that she was being furloughed. I guess it was an attempt to make me feel better, but it didn't...

Tue, April 26, 2011 @ 3:45 PM

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