Retirement and Independent Entities Committee Meeting 2/10/10

Opposing sides gave little ground during today's Senate Retirement and Independent Entities Committee meeting at the capitol. Utah Public Employees' Association has made their arguments clear through Saturday's rally and a year's worth of work leading up to today.

There wasn't much left for Liljenquist's presentation except to rehash his proposals and the dire circumstances behind his proposals. UPEAadded voices to the economic impacts families face in light of retirement changes. Sheri Watters testified that her family has a long history of public service and that the retirement system has served their family fairly.

Senator Brent Goodfellow raised questions about Utah's current retirement system. He addressed the scope of SB 63 in light of an improving economy and improving stock market.

Goodfellow said, "Yes we have problems, but they're not the same problems we had when the DOW was at 6500."

SB 63 assumes the worst case scenario for our retirement system over the long run.

Liljenquist added that employees will defer compensation increases well into the future because of the retirement downturn. However, he did not say how any savings in the retirement system will go toward compensation.

Under the pro tem chairmanship of Senator Bramble, the committee opted to continue hearing testimony on Friday, at noon, before taking action on the three senate bills.

UPEA will update you soon!

Update on HB 140

UPEA staff met with DHRM about HB 140 yesterday (2/9/10). In the meeting, DHRM explained that the intent for changing the pay system was to try to encourage more merit pay increases by removing the steps from the pay plan. If only 1% is available, the legislature could grant a 1% merit step increase rather than being limited to 2.75%. UPEA is in the process of researching the plan, and will be meeting with DHRM again next week to discuss UPEA’s viewpoint on this plan.

The changes to the grievance process as explained were due to conflicts that have been found with the Attorney General’s Office and costs associated with the grievances handled at the Career Service Review Board.

UPEA has scheduled a meeting for Thursday (2/11/10) with the sponsor of the bill, Representative Brad Dee.

HB 140

Late Friday evening a new bill became publicly available that deals with State Employees. HB 140, Human Resource Management Amendments, was introduced to the House on 2/8/10. It has been sent to the Rules Committee for assignment.

HB 140 is something high on UPEA’s radar, because it deals with several public employee issues, including:
· Taking the merit steps out of the pay scale
· Changing the language related to the post-retirement sick leave benefit
· Changing the grievance process
· Changing the grievable actions that may be taken to the Career Service Review Office

On 2/8/10, UPEA met with legal counsel to ensure that staff understood what was being presented. UPEA staff also has a meeting scheduled with the Department of Human Resource Management on 2/9/10 to discuss the intent behind the proposed changes.

UPEA will continue to update members as to what is happening with HB 140 as more information becomes available.

Executive Offices & Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee 2/3/10

The committee heard from County Sheriffs, the Board of Pardons, and Department of Corrections. The fiscal analyst went over the budget brief on each department.

Tom Patterson, the Executive Director of the Department of Corrections, presented on the budget of DOC. Some of the items that were discussed to address the 5% total budget reduction were to close the Parole Violator Center which would save $7.6 Million, eliminate meals for Correctional Officers which would save $400,000, and close two prison housing units which would save $3.8 Million.

Corrections discussed the risks involved with closing Special Services Dorm and OQuirrh 5 housing unit. If these two pods were to close the Utah Prison would be over maximum capacity by 215 beds. This would mean releasing 215 inmates early, and the prison would still be at maximum capacity. Tom discussed the risks involved to staff and also to the

CURE, ULELC - Retirement Legislation

UPEA has been very involved at the capitol with various law enforcement groups.

CURE - Cops United for Retirement Equity also known as Utah Law Enforcement Coalition
2/1/10

On Monday, February 1st, CURE (of which UPEA is a member) met to discuss ways in which the group can help defeat the retirement bills that are currently being presented at the legislature.  The group decided the best course of action is to work through a coordinated grassroots effort to contact legislators (call and email), ask friends, family members, and neighbors to contact their legislators, and attend the organizing event on Saturday February 6th.  By following these actions CURE intends to create a grassroots groundswell that will help defeat any retirement legislation that is on the table.

CURE's stance is the same as UPEA's.  They are asking for an independent actuarial study to be conducted prior to any legislation passing.

ULELC - Utah Law Enforcement Legislative Committee
2/1/10

CURE sits on the board of the ULELC.  The ULELC is committed to provided position statements to the legislature regarding law enforcement related legislation.  On Monday, February 1st, the committee discussed the retirement legislation (SB 42, SB 43, and SB 94).  The committee took the position (although not unanimous) to oppose changes to the retirement legislation until the issue can be examined further through an independent study. 

For information on the positions ULELC has taken regarding law enforcement related legislation go to http://ulelc.org/.