Politics

Articles about Politics that may be useful to Massachusetts retirees.

2007-2008 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM

JAN 2007 - Strengthening Benefits For Public Retirees - Led by its chairman, Bill Hill, the Association’s Legislative Committee has filed the following 18 pieces of legislation for the 2007-2008 Session of the Massachusetts Legislature. As an integral part of the process, the Committee has obtained the commitment of several key legislators, from both the House and Senate, as sponsors of our bills.

“With this program, we’ve sought to address the major issues currently affecting public retirement,” according to Hill. “It’s a comprehensive approach, offering sensible solutions.”

You will find below a brief summary of the bills, each contained within the appropriate subject matter heading. The complete listing of bill numbers and sponsors will be included in the March edition of the Voice. Editor’s Note: Please be aware that this listing marks the very beginning of the legislative process for the bills outlined below. There will be a public hearing on each bill during the upcoming months, after which time further action can be considered.

ROMNEY SHORTS RETIREES ON LIFE INSURANCE

JAN 2007 - Appointees Oppose Benefit Increase - In what can only be viewed as a backhanded dismissal of retirees, Governor Mitt Romney has allowed his hand-picked appointees to the state’s Group Insurance Commission, to vote down a plan that would have increased the basic life insurance for state retirees.

OPTIMISM HIGH FOR NEW SESSION

JAN 2007 - Bills Receive BiPartisan Support - Change will take place on Beacon Hill come January 4, when Deval Patrick is sworn in as the Commonwealth’s new governor. Along with a new chief executive comes a new administration, with a different focus than the outgoing Republican administration.

STATE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF: AN OVERVIEW FOR RETIREES

Jan 2007 - During the recent election,
candidates spoke out against higher property taxes forcing retirees out of
their homes. That criticism begs the question: what is being done right now to
provide tax relief.

RETIREMENT SYSTEM DEFENSE MOUNTS

JAN 2007 - Report Rebuffs Pioneer Attack - The top priority at the fall
conference of the Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems (MACRS)
was the same as that of the spring conference: Put a halt to the negative
attacks on our state’s 106 retirement systems.

RUSSO VOTED FIVE-YEAR TERM AS PERAC COMMISSION CHAIRMAN

JAN 2007 - Retired East Boston District
Court Judge Domenic L. Russo has been voted to a five-year term as the chairman
of the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC), the
Commonwealth’s top pension agency. The unanimous vote came at a November 1
meeting of the Commission.

O'Brien Named Plymouth County Treasurer

NOV 2006 - Former Representative Close Association Ally - As we reported in the September edition of the Voice, longtime
Plymouth County Treasurer John McLellan retired in early August after
thirty-three years of public service. What was not known, at that time, was who
would be appointed to fill the two years remaining in McLellan’s unexpired
term.