Retired Spotlight
The national connection
Let’s face it. If we’re going to be part of the
education decision-making process, we need to be a player
at the local, state and national levels. Missouri NEA was
established on this premise 30 years ago when 13 courageous
leaders led the way to create an organization that could and
would advocate for education employees in all political arenas.
Fast forward to 2003. MNEA, now over 32,000 members strong,
continues that commitment as part of the 2.7 million-member
NEA.
The work of NEA and its affiliates across the country for
the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act offers an
excellent example of just why the national connection is so
important. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the
Government Pension Offset (GPO) affect education employees
in only 15 states. These states have only 30 Senators and
187 Representatives—far short of the majority required
in either body to pass any legislation.
The NEA has made the repeal of the offsets a major legislative
priority. Besides establishing a national cadre to educate
our own members, the NEA is a major player in the Coalition
to Assure Retirement Equity (CARE), a national group of organizations
working together on this issue.* This combined effort and
national strategy has led to results. The Social Security
Fairness Act now has 253 cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives—a
clear majority. Work has already begun to get this bill out
of committee for a vote in the House as soon as Congress is
back in session.
That’s where we, NEA members across the country, come
in. By writing, sending faxes, and calling or e-mailing our
Congressional representatives, those of us in the grassroots
can make a significant impact. Watch, too, for more information
about NEA’s special lobby day this fall or winter when
the effort will shift to the Senate.
For more information about the Social Security Fairness Act
and sample messages you can send to Congress, go to the NEA
Web site, www.nea.org/lac/.
* Find a complete listing of the organizations in CARE on
the NEA Web site (www.nea.org/lac/socsec/coals.html).
By Martha Karlovetz
MNEA-R president
|
