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Take Action to Save COLAs

 

Legislators are discussing “reforms” to state pensions this legislative session. Several bills have been introduced that remove COLAs from the assumptions of all Oklahoma public employee retirement systems.  This action would result in loss of benefits for current and future retirees.  Tell legislators taking benefits from retired public servants is not reform.  To take action click here.

Posted on Fri, February 11, 2011 by Trish Frazier

5 comments (Add your own)

1. Lynda Forrester wrote:
I am a state retiree and request that the legislature not reduce my benefits. As it is, I worked over 20 years to earn my retirement in law enforcement and resent that state legislators work a fraction of those years to earn higher payments in retirement benefits than the average state worker. Adjusting the state budget in this time of crisis won't be accomplished by raiding state pensioners.

Sat, February 12, 2011 @ 11:57 AM

2. Jo Polly wrote:
I am requesting that the legislature not discontinue the cola. I have been retired for 11 years and have received only 2 cola amounts. There have to be other ways to reconcile the budget that taking away much needed monies from the retirees.

Mon, February 14, 2011 @ 11:21 AM

3. Bobby wrote:
Hopefully the two comments above were sent to their legislators through the Take Action link. They read as they were meant for their legislators not the OPES website. We need everyone, retired and active to respond to this. I have notified everyone I know wno is retired and those who are still working. The ramifications of this legislation will be felt for quite awhile. It is very likley that I will not see a COLA in my lifetime if it passes and I'm not that old. THIS IS SERIOUS!!!

Mon, February 14, 2011 @ 4:44 PM

4. FattCat is Back wrote:
This is the very reason it is so important for everyone to show up on OPEA Day. Having the event on Presidents day is a great idea...no more excuses of “I can’t get the day off” or “I have too much work to give up an hour for the rally.” It has truly frustrated me in years past to hear all the reasons why someone could not show up for the rally. So just one more time I have to ask all of my fellow state employees:

• Are you concerned about keeping your job?
• Are you concerned you will have a fair benefit allowance to insure you have good medical care for your family?
• Are you concerned you have not had a raise in 5 years?
• Are you concerned there will not be COLA after you retire?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, you and your families presence is a must on February 21, 2011...yes bring your family give a face to the law makers of the children they will affect when considering state employees. The time is now...this year...set an example for your children, stand up and fight for your family and what you believe in! Show them they are worth fighting for!

...And being you and your family are going to be at the Capitol make a day of it. Take your family out to lunch or bring a sack lunch and have a picnic at the Capitol Park. Visit the Oklahoma Historical Museum tour the Capitol and/or the Governor’s Mansion. The Capitol and Governor’s Mansion are free so, you can keep the day inexpensive. This is a perfect opportunity to teach your children how Government works and encourage them to get involved in other issues when they are adults.

Every year OPEA has worked very hard to help find ways to get state employees involved in their future with state government...OPEA has offered lunch, changed times of the rally and now have changed the day, all to help us help ourselves...no more excuses...no more “I don’t have the annual to take off” or “I work through my lunch and can’t afford to get behind.”

If you are truly concerned about your family and your future don’t post it...show it!...by attending OPEA day February 21, 2011.

>*x*<

Tue, February 15, 2011 @ 9:41 AM

5. Jim wrote:
Amen Fatcat!

I wonder myself why state employees don’t show up to represent themselves.
I went to the rally last year for the first time and was shocked that fewer than fifty state employees showed up.
This year I hope they remember their fellow employee that used to sit next to them who has been RIF’ed and they will probably be targeted next.

"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately"

Ben Franklin

Strength in numbers is what gets our legislator’s attention.

OPEA day 2/21/2011
BE THERE!

Thu, February 17, 2011 @ 7:32 AM

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