It is always important to have well like legislators, who hold key positions on Beacon Hill, as your bill sponsors. However, given the current economic situation, it was vital to have the right sponsors.

"Cobbling together a strong group of bill sponsors was not an easy task. Each legislator has dozens of interest groups calling upon them to sponsor various bills," explains Association Legislative Liaison Shawn Duhamel.

Under the extreme economic hardship that is now gripping the state it is important that the Association has obtained sponsors who are members of the Democratic in both the House, as well as the Senate.

As members know, our legislation aimed at increasing the base to which the COLA is applied is one of the Association's top priorities. This year, Senators Marian Walsh (D-West Roxbury) and Dick Moore (D-Uxbridge), along with Representatives Mike Ruane (D-Salem) and Brad Jones (R-North Reading) have taken the lead on our bill to raise the COLA base.

Walsh, who is the assistant Senate majority leader, is one of the Association's closest allies in the Senate. She previously served as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Service, where all retirement legislation originates.

Dick Moore, who is the current chairman of the Senate Health Care Committee, is also a past chairman of the Public Service Committee. In addition to sponsoring our COLA bill, Moore is also the lead on each of our healthcare bills.

Over the years Mike Ruane has been a reliable go-to-guy in the House for Retirees. His years of experience on the House Ways and Means Committee have made him invaluable to House Speaker Thomas Finneran. Besides the COLA, Ruane is the lead sponsor of 7 other bills.

When it comes to health care, no issue is more important to members insured through the state's Group Insurance Commission than that of the Medicare Part B refund. As a result, we sought out top Finneran Lieutenant Paul Kujawski (D-Webster) as our lead sponsor on the bill mandating the annual refund. Kujawski, was a moving force in overriding Acting Governor Swift's insurance veto last summer.

Another key ally of the Association is Rep. Tom O'Brien (D-Kingston). O'Brien, who is also a member of Finneran's leadership team as the vice-chairman of the Committee on Counties. He is the lead sponsor on our bill to increase the basic life insurance for state retirees, as well as our bill creating a $10,000 minimum pension for municipal retirees.

Rounding out our lead sponsors is Rep. Ed Connolly (D-Everett). Members who are veterans will remember Connolly as a key advocate for veteran's issues. He is the lead sponsor of four Association bills in the current session.

In a break from tradition, several top Republican legislators have come forth as lead sponsors on the Association's bills. Unfortunately, the relationship with the past Republican governors and legislative leaders where not always hospitable.

This year however the Association's legislative team was able to win the active support of new House Minority Leader Brad Jones. The North Reading Republican has frequently broke from his party ranks in support of the Association over the years.

Joining Jones as a key sponsor on the Association's COLA legislation and a number of other bills is Rep. Vinny deMacedo (R-Plymouth). As the ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, deMacedo will be one of only three House members conferencing on the upcoming FY04 budget.

Participating in those negotiations with deMacedo is Senator Michael Knapik (R-Westfield), who is the ranking Republican on the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Interestingly enough, Knapik is the only legislator to co sponsor each of the 18 bills filed by the Association. Also working with the Association on a number of bills in Senator Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). He has also proven to be a key ally within the Senate.