R.A. delegates determine legislative priorities

Delegates to Missouri NEA’s fall representative assembly, Nov. 11, adopted the Association’s 2006 legislative platform, which defines the positions that MNEA lobbyists and leaders will pursue when the Missouri General Assembly convenes in January 2006.

Delegates also elected representatives to the MNEA Political Action Committee, recognized the Quality Local Association Award recipients, honored Shirley Cromer Award winner Monica Miller, Columbia MNEA, and adopted a position statement on retirement benefits.

MNEA presented Quality Local Association Awards in Gold, Silver and Bronze categories. The following locals received awards:

For details on QLA award criteria, visit www.mnea.org/teach/awards.htm.

Delegates passed the following new business item, a position statement on Missouri Public School Retirement System benefits:

To ensure the future solvency of the Missouri Public School Retirement System, MNEA opposes changes to the system that will:

• Increase the number of years required for full retirement benefits
• Cap the contribution rate at 12.5 percent if it is not actuarially sound for the system
• Change the governance of the PSRS Board of Trustees to increase the number of non-member positions while decreasing the number of retired and active positions
• Change PSRS or Public Education Employee Retirement System from a defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan

For more information on the status of Missouri PSRS benefits, contact Director of Government Relations Leila Medley, (800) 392-0236 or Leila.Medley@mnea.org.

For more information on the legislative platform, contact Legislative Director Otto Fajen, (800) 392-0236 or Otto.Fajen@mnea.org.