NOVEMBER 2009: The world is truly flat when it comes to modern economics, as
well as politics. With the information age of computers providing instant
access to information, partnerships and coalitions are being formed that were
unlikely just a few years ago.
This summer the Association was contacted by The Grassroots
Committee for Social Security Fairness , which is a Northern California based
teachers' organization formed this spring. Their goal, like that of our
Association, is to repeal the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision
(WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).
Counting over 2,000 members and rapidly growing, the
Committee is comprised of both retired and active teachers from the San
Francisco Bay Area. In addition to the California Retired Teachers Association,
the group also includes both statewide teachers unions.
The group's lobbying effort is led by retired teachers
Bonnie Cediel Henderson and Laurie Matthews. Both Matthews and Henderson have
recently travelled to Washington, D.C. to lobby on behalf of a full repeal of
the WEP and GPO.
"We started as a true grassroots organization and had no way
of knowing what type of interest we would get. In May, we held our first rally,
which we put together by emailing our collective contact lists," said
Henderson. "To our surprise, over 500 people showed up at the rally. In just a
few months, we now have over 2,000 members!
"One of the things, that we quickly realized, is that we are
not going to be able to change these laws by ourselves. But, by working with
the Mass. Retirees and coordinating our efforts, we can put together a national
coalition that can have a big impact in Washington."
2010 Remains Target
As we have been reporting, 2010 is now the target for action
on both the WEP and GPO. We anticipate that these issues will be included in
the larger debate over Social Security reform.
"The repeal bills that are pending in the House and Senate
are useful to gauge the support we will have in each chamber next year. We now
have 299 of the 435 members of the House cosponsoring HR235," said Association
Legislative Liaison Shawn Duhamel. "Where the challenge remains is in the US
Senate.Traditionally they are a
tough group, but that is where the value of these national groups is very
important."
Like Massachusetts Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry,
California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer are strong supporters of
WEP/GPO repeal. They are working with their colleagues to expand the base of
support in the Senate beyond the 28 cosponsors now committed to S484.
"The support is there in the House, but we have work to do
in the Senate," confirms Laurie Matthews. "It is frustrating at times, but I
have no doubt that by working together, we will gain the support that we need
to finally get these issues addressed. I'm just happy to know that we are not
in this fight alone."
Laurie, with over 5 million retired and active public
employees across America hurt by the WEP or GPO, you are certainly not alone!
Social Security 
