Articles about Legislation that may be useful to Massachusetts retirees.
Association & Labor Leaders Work Through Weekend
AUGUST 1, 2016: With just 9 minutes remaining in the formal legislative session for the year (which ended Sunday at midnight), the State Senate voted to override Governor Charlie Baker’s veto of a law protecting municipal and teacher retirees from runaway health insurance costs.
As Legislature Convenes Rare Weekend Session
JULY 29, 2016: Our legislative team will be at work on Beacon Hill through the last weekend in July as the state legislature holds rare back-to-back weekend sessions. The Saturday-Sunday sessions mark the end of the formal legislative calendar for the year.
Legislative Override Sought
JULY 8, 2016: Despite wide bipartisan legislative support, Governor Charlie Baker vetoed the two-year extension of the Municipal Retiree Health Insurance Premium Moratorium.
Association officials are now seeking a House and Senate override of the veto, which must take place no later than July 30th.
Retiree Insurance Reform Likely Topic in 2017-18 Session
JUNE 30, 2016: On the final day of Fiscal Year 2016, the State Legislature passed a new state budget for the coming fiscal year. Contained within the budget, as Section 45, is a two-year extension of the Municipal Retiree Insurance Premium Moratorium.
Association Officials Visit Capitol Hill
JUNE 27, 2016: With just three weeks to go before the US Congress breaks for its summer recess prior to the national Republican and Democratic Conventions in July, work on a potential fix for Social Security’s dreaded Windfall Elimination Provision continues at a feverish pace on Capitol Hill.
Protects Municipal Retirees and Teachers From Unfair Rate Increases
JUNE 21, 2016: Members are asked to contact their Massachusetts State Senator and Representative and ask that they support Section 46 of the Senate Budget – which protects municipal retirees and retired teachers from unfair increases in local health insurance premiums.
Municipal Premium Moratorium Extended Two Years
MAY 24, 2016: Today, the MA State Senate unanimously passed an amendment to the FY17 budget that extends the municipal retiree insurance premium moratorium for two years - until July 1, 2018. Amendment 91, which received widespread bipartisan support, was passed on a voice vote during the first day of the Senate budget debate.
Extends Insurance Premium Moritorium Until July 2018
MAY 23, 2016: Members are asked for your help in protecting municipal retirees and retired teachers. Health insurance benefits for both groups are largely under the control of local governments, some of which are now threatening to increase insurance premium contribution percentages.
Mass. Officials Play Central Role
JANUARY 2016 VOICE: A major budget deal between the White House and Congress has come to the aid of public retirees, who had been bracing for a major increase in Medicare Part B premiums for 2016.
Public Service Committee Grants Favorable Report
AUGUST 11, 2015: Legislation that would increase the basic life insurance benefit for state retirees and active employees has been released with a favorable report by the Joint Committee on Public Service.
Association officials worked closely with Committee Chairmen Rep. Jamie Murphy (D-Weymouth) and Senator Jim Timilty (D-Walpole) in recent months to advance the legislation forward prior to the start of the FY17 state budget cycle.
Since 1968 the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association has been the leading voice for Massachusetts public retirees and their families. Join with our 62,000 members as we continue the fight.
