GEMS

NARFE Global Email Messaging System (GEMS)

***

NARFE Legislative Hotline - May 25, 2012

 #####################

Message from NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin

“I want to salute a special group of NARFE activists for their Memorial Day outreach to local newspaper editors. In just the last 48 hours, over 100 NARFE members used a NARFE letter template and the media component of our Legislative Action Center to send their personalized Letter to the Editor to local newspapers. Media outreach is an important element of our Protect America's Heartbeat campaign, and countering the very few 'bad apples' in the federal service is especially important now. Read on to learn how you, too, can send a letter to your local editor, read it in print, clip it and share it.”

#######

#1 Senate State Work Period

 The Senate recess runs from the close of business May 25 until June 4. This “state work period” is an opportunity for NARFE members to visit every senator in the country, whether at a town hall or face-to-face meeting. Use the updated information provided in the Protect America's Heartbeat Toolkit to facilitate to your meetings. The Toolkit is an invaluable resource in combating the negative image and misconceptions about federal employees and retirees. Explore the updated Toolkit at: http://www.narfe.org/heartbeat/resources.cfm.

#2 New Action Letter Available on Website

 Things on Capitol Hill have been quiet for federal employees and retirees this week, creating a “calm before the storm” feeling amongst the federal community. Now is a great time to remind your members of Congress that federal employees and retirees live in, work in and give back to their communities. Use the updated action letter on the Protect America's Heartbeat home page to let your representatives know that you're a member of their constituency. The letter can be found at: http://capwiz.com/narfe/issues/alert/?alertid=61372401
 

  #3 Memorial Day Letter to the Editor

 There's still time to send the Memorial Day Letter to the Editor template to your local newspaper. It only takes a few minutes. First, look up your local newspaper and submit the letter online by clicking here. You can also look up contact information on the editorial page or website of your local newspaper.  http://capwiz.com/narfe/dbq/media/

 Your letter should include a few sentences from the heart about how much our troops' work and sacrifice mean to you, or about a soldier whose memory you're honoring.

Here's a sample Letterto the Editor below to get you started.

            Memorial Day is about more than summer road trips and mattress sales.
       For years, I served our country alongside my fellow federal workers. In addition to serving every American, one of the federal workforce's greatest responsibilities is to support and equip our nation's men and women in uniform. My civil servant colleagues and I felt a great responsibility to provide for our troops, and we mourned each time we learned of a fallen soldier.
      So to me, Memorial Day is sacred. On behalf of America's federal workers - half of whom work directly with our nation's military - we salute our fallen heroes and thank the men and women who are currently serving around the world to defend the United States.
 

NAME

FORMER/CURRENT POSITION

#1 Where Are Your Members of Congress?

The House is in recess until Wednesday, May 30, and the Senate’s Memorial Day recess runs from the close of business May 25 until June 4. These district work periods are an opportunity to visit your Members of Congress – whether at a town hall or face-to-face meeting – and use the updated information provided in the Protect America’s Heartbeat toolkit. The toolkit is an invaluable resource in combating the negative image and misconceptions about federal employees and retirees. Explore the updated toolkit at http://www.narfe.org/heartbeat/resources.cfm.

On May 15, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov/cpi or 202/691-6994) reported that the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) rose to 227.012 in April, an increase of 0.31 percent from March. With five months remaining in the measurement year, the April index is 1.69 percent higher than last year’s third quarter average index (223.233). May consumer price indices will be released on June 14, 2012. More information is available to NARFE members at: http://www.narfe.org/departments/member/articles.cfm?ID=2588.

#3 Bipartisan Agreement Reached on the Need for Hatch Act Reform

The Hatch Act, the piece of legislation which forbids active federal employees from engaging in political activity while on duty, contains a lesser-known provision which prevents state and local government employees from running in a partisan election if their current position is tied to federal funds. The extent of those ties, and the penalties for Hatch Act violations, were the main subject of a House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce hearing May 16.

Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, as well as all the witnesses present, agreed that the law, which hasn’t been modified in nearly 20 years, is in need of reform in order to allow qualified individuals to seek higher office. A bill introduced by Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, D-MD, H.R. 4152, also garnered support among those present and may see movement in the future; Senator Daniel K. Akaka, D-HI, has introduced a similar bill, S. 2170. There is nothing in the current law preventing federal retirees from engaging in partisan politics, and neither piece of legislation seeks to change that. The Office of Special Counsel provides detailed information on the Hatch Act on its website: http://www.osc.gov/hatchact.htm.

On May 16, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee favorably reported legislation, S. 1100, which would prevent requiring a contractor to submit political information as part of a solicitation for a contract. Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-ME, and 22 cosponsors support the bill in reaction to the White House's draft executive order that would require vendors to submit information about political contributions as part of their bid proposal packages to the government. Companion legislation, H.R. 2008, has been approved by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

#1 House Passes NARFE-Opposed Sequester Reconciliation Bill

Instead of recognizing the annual Public Service Recognition Week (May 6 – 12), the House continued singling out federal employees for further budget cuts. Enactment would mean a phased-in 5 percent payroll tax on middle-class federal workers in both federal retirement programs. The Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act, H.R 5652, “saves” $310 billion as a way to avoid automatic budget cuts, known as sequestration, set to take effect in January 2013.The Senate is NOT expected to review this measure.

NARFE’s press release is posted on the NARFE home page, www.narfe.org, and the vote is available on the Clerk’s website. (Use http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2012/roll247.xml)

#2 Whistleblower Protection Wins Senate Passage – Now Needs House Approval

On May 8, the Senate unceremoniously passed the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act, S. 743. Both the House and Senate have passed similar legislation in the past. This whistleblower protection legislation, repeatedly championed by Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-HI, has a good chance of enactment this year. The measure enables all federal employees to report evidence of manipulation of scientific or technical information while receiving the same protections as if reporting on waste, fraud or abuse. Under select circumstances, the bill would grant whistleblowers access to a jury trial. The companion bill, H.R. 3289, sponsored by House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-CA, won bipartisan approval by that committee last November.

 #3 FINAL REMINDER – Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is Saturday, May 12

The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is Saturday, May 12. As NARFE seeks to become a future official sponsor, please bag nonperishable food items and leave the bag at your mailbox for collection by your city or rural mail carrier on Saturday, May 12.

#1 CELEBRATE PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK

#2 NARFE-PAC: THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES’ AND RETIREES’ DEFENSE FUND

 #3 STAMP OUT HUNGER FOOD DRIVE IS SATURDAY, MAY 12

As a federal employee/retiree, I think it is important to recognize our nation’s civil servants during Public Service Recognition Week (May 6-12).

Even though you may not stop and think about federal workers in your daily life, that doesn’t mean you don’t benefit from what they do.

There are thousands of federal employees right here in TOWN/CITY/STATE! Federal employees sound the alarm when a bad storm is coming, deliver the mail and LOCAL EXAMPLE OF FEDERAL WORKERS IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

The federal workforce has a proud legacy. Let’s take this opportunity to thank federal employees in our community for keeping our country safe and on track for more than two centuries.

#1 SENATE PASSES CUTS TO FEDERAL WORKERS' COMPENSATION

 On April 25, the Senate passed a comprehensive Postal Service overhaul bill, S. 1789, which included reductions to the benefit levels provided to any federal worker disabled by a work-related injury or illness.  At retirement age, injured federal employees would face a 25 percent reduction in compensation, and injured federal employees with dependents would no longer receive the 8.33 percent augmented compensation currently provided.

 NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin sent a letter to the Senate urging support for an amendment offered by Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-HI, that would have prevented reductions in benefit levels.  Instead, it would have replaced those provisions with a House-passed bill, H.R. 2465, that focuses on achieving cost savings through fraud prevention, recoupment of overpayments and lowering the costs of health care for the injured employees.  The Senate rejected the amendment, with 46 senators voting in favor and 53 senators voting against.  (Roll call vote available here.)  The amendment needed 60 votes to pass.
 
 

#2 NARFE VICTORY: SENATE REMOVES THREAT TO FEHBP

 The Postal Service overhaul bill also contained a late addition that would have created a separate Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) plan available to Medicare-enrolled postal employees and retirees.  After reviewing the proposal, the Office of Personnel Management provided analysis that suggested the proposal would increase FEHBP premiums by an average of 2 percent, and up to 35 percent for one plan.

 NARFE President Joseph A.. Beaudoin sent a letter to the Senate urging support for an amendment offered by Sens. Jay Rockefeller, D-WV, and Ben Cardin, D-MD, that would prevent the creation of a separate plan.  Although the original agreement on amendments did not allow a vote on the Rockefeller-Cardin language, the senators were able to secure a vote, and the Senate passed the amendment by voice vote.
 
 

#3 HOUSE OVERSIGHT DOUBLES DOWN ON PAY FREEZE WITH PAY CUT

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on April 26 approved its budget reconciliation instruction by increasing federal employees' retirement contributions by 5 percent of pay over five years. This amounts to $80 billion in savings over 10 years. The Senate is not expected to take up this measure, but look for a similar proposal if Congress brings up deficit reduction in a lame-duck session after the November election.

Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) employees' contributions would increase from 0.8 percent to 5.8 percent of pay by 2017, and Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) employees' contributions would increase from 7 percent to 12 percent over the same period. The bill would increase pension contributions by 1.5 percent of pay in 2013, 0.5 percent in 2014, and 1 percent each year from 2015 to 2017. Newly hired federal employees beginning in 2013 with less than five years of previous federal service would immediately have to cover 5.8 percent of their FERS pensions, with no phase-in.

Lawmakers and their staffs covered by CSRS, and FERS covered lawmakers, would see their contributions go up even more, by 8.5 percent of pay over five years. FERS congressional staffers' contributions would increase 7.5 percent over five years. For new employees hired after Dec. 31, the measure would eliminate the FERS Annuity Supplement, which is available to employees who voluntarily retire before reaching age 62.

The committee also agreed Thursday to a bipartisan amendment from Reps. Jason Chaffetz, R-UT, and Stephen Lynch, D-MA, that would allow federal employees to apply the value of their unused annual or vacation leave toward their Thrift Savings Plan accounts.

In conjunction with the National Conventions, four Lunch and Learn Sessions will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, August, 29-30.   We are soliciting applications from those who would be willing to be a presenter or session leader for one of the Lunch and Learn sessions.  If you plan to attend the convention and would like to be considered, please submit background information about your presenter/session leader/teaching experiences  Each session will be one hour and includes Q&As, a wrap up, and an evaluation. Presenters will be required to prepare information and presentation material for their session. Sessions are limited to 250 members but there could be fewer members.

Following are the topics selected (please see May magazine for description):

1.     How to Sell NARFE to Prospective Members:  How do we sell NARFE?  How do we effectively tell our story and become spokes persons for NARFE?  How does “framing” our message make it better?  How is this important to recruiting new members and helping to keep our members engaged in NARFE?
2.     Communicating as It Applies to Volunteer Organizations:  Explore and learn communication techniques and skills as they apply to volunteer organizations.  How do we communicate with the different generations, as well as retired vs. active employees?
3.     Motivation: How Does This to Relate NARFE?  Learn how tried and true motivational techniques can help NARFE thrive.  Learn how motivating and engaging our members can build a stronger NARFE, and help to attract new members, while keeping our members interested and involved.
4.     Direct Marketing Super Hints Revealed (note: MGI will lead):  Learn about direct marketing tenets that are tried and true and how NARFE is incorporating some of these solutions into building a profitable and successful marketing strategy.

Please complete a separate one page resume and include the information requested below:

1.     NARFE Membership #, Chapter/Federation.  NAME, ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS.
2.     Presenter/Session Leader/Teaching Experience:  Provide a brief description of your experience either with the federal government or the private sector with dates and/or assignments, type of subject matter, and type of format you are familiar with.
3.      Provide a statement of where and how you were trained in basic workshop presenter/leader/teaching techniques. (Federal government or college)
4.     State why you would like to take on this assignment and lead a session at the national convention.

If you would like to be considered as a Motivational Speaker, please provide the same information listed above, as well as specific motivational speaking experience.

Submit your resume by May 11, 2012 to Elaine Hughes at natsec@narfe.org.  If you have questions or need additional information, please call or e-mail.
 
 

On February 1, NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin testified before the Senate Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia.  NARFE's testimony is available from the NARFE home page or use  http://www.narfe.org/pdf/Testimony_Federal_Retirement_Processing_2-1-12.pdf
and the video link is:
http://www.hsgac.senate.gov/subcommittees/oversight-of-government-management/hearings/federal-retirement-processing-ensuring-proper-and-timely-payments)

The Senate may take up controversial legislation to overhaul the U.S. Postal Service, S. 1789, as early as the week of February 6. This legislation includes a NARFE-opposed provision to drastically change the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin's letter to all senators argues for removing the FECA provision. The letter is available to NARFE members on our website, www.narfe.org. (The URL for NARFE letters to Congress (please bookmark) is: http://www.narfe.org/departments/legislation/articles.cfm?ID=2653  The specific text is posted at: http://www.narfe.org/pdf/Opposing_S_1789.pdf

NARFE's members made January 2012 one of the best months ever in the use of our Legislative Action Center.  Still, the stakes are higher and the environment more difficult than ever before.  NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin urges you, if you have not already done so, to use the link below to send NARFE's new (1/19/12) message to your congressional delegation.
CLICK HERE or use http://capwiz.com/narfe/issues/alert/?alertid=60428501  You can edit the message if you like. 6,397 members have already acted. We urge you to join them now by CLICKING HERE!

David Snell, director of NARFE's Retirement Benefits Service Department, testified before the House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and Labor Policy.  To view archived video of the January 25 hearing, use

http://oversight.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1566%3A1-25-2012-qretirement-readiness-strengthening-the-federal-pension-systemq&catid=15&Itemid=26

C-SPAN's Video Library has archived this hearing. To view the hearing, use http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/303897-1#

Step 1: Call the Capitol using NARFE's toll-free number, 866-220-0044. Ask the operator to connect you to your representative's and/or senators' office.
 
 

Step 2: Tell the staff person who answers the telephone next where you live, so they know you are a constituent, then say:
 
 

On Wednesday, February 1st, NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin will testify at a Senate hearing on “Federal Retirement Processing: Ensuring Proper and Timely Payment.” The hearing, called by Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-HI, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce and the District of Columbia, will allow the subcommittee to obtain testimony and question John Berry, Director of the Office of Personnel Management on the backlog at OPM. The hearing set to begin at 2:30 PM E.S.T. and conclude by 5 PM. A link to the webcast will be posted 15 minutes before the hearing starts on the home page of  the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs

1) TELL CONGRESS: DON'T TARGET FEDERAL WORKERS

If you have not already done so, NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin urges you to use the link below to send NARFE's new (1/19/12) message to your congressional delegation. CLICK HERE or use http://capwiz.com/narfe/issues/alert/?alertid=60428501  You can edit the message if you like. 4,912 members have already acted. We urge you to join them now by CLICKING HERE!
 
 

2)SENATE FLOOR MAY CONSIDER BILL WITH NARFE-OPPOSED FECA PROVISION

The Senate may take up controversial legislation to overhaul the U.S. Postal Service, S. 1789, as early as the week of January 30. This legislation includes a NARFE-opposed provision to drastically change the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin's letter to all senators argues for removing the FECA provision. Read the letter posted on the website, www.narfe.org. The gateway address to NARFE letters to Congress (please bookmark) is: http://www.narfe.org/departments/legislation/articles.cfm?ID=2653  The specific text is posted at: http://www.narfe.org/pdf/Opposing_S_1789.pdf

3)  PROTECT AMERICA'S HEARTBEAT TOOLKIT UPDATED WITH EXTENDERS FACT SHEET

NARFE's Protect America's Heartbeat campaign now includes a fact sheet on the Payroll Tax Cut and Federal Workers. To read and use this tool CLICK HERE for http://www.narfe.org/pdf/NARFE_FactSheet_Extenders_FINAL_1_18_12.pdf

4)NARFE TESTIFIES BEFORE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE

On January 25, David Snell, director of NARFE's Retirement Benefits Service Department, testified before the House Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and Labor Policy.  For the full text of Snell's statement, click here.

http://www.narfe.org/pdf/FederalPostalCoalitionTestimonyforFederalRetiremen%20Hearing_12512.pdf
Archived video is available from the House Oversight Committee website

http://oversight.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1566%3A1-25-2012-qretirement-readiness-strengthening-the-federal-pension-systemq&catid=15&Itemid=1

5)  NARFE PRESIDENT TO TESTIFY ON FEDERAL RETIREMENT PROCESSING

On February 1, NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin will testify before the Senate Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia. The subcommittee, chaired by Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-HI, is conducting a hearing titled “Federal Retirement Processing: Ensuring Proper and Timely Payments.” John Berry, director of the Office of Personnel Management, is also scheduled to testify.

1)TELL CONGRESS: DON'T TARGET FEDERAL WORKERS

Late last year, the House of Representatives passed legislation requiring federal workers to pay $65 billion of the cost of the payroll tax holiday extension. Now, this House-passed plan moves to a House and Senate conference committee to be considered again.

Asking just 2 percent of America's middle class to pay almost two-thirds of the cost of the payroll tax holiday for the rest of the country is unacceptable and unfair. Tell Congress today that you won't stand for this egregious plan. Let your representative now how unfair this is.

Tell Congress: Don't target federal workers and retirees to pay for two-thirds of the payroll tax cut holiday!  CLICK HERE to send NARFE's just updated Protect America's Heartbeat message to your congressional delegation - your representative and both senators
 
 

2)NARFE CALL CONGRESS DAY IS WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 15

Here (again) is the step-by-step process for NARFE's Call Congress Day on February 15. President Joseph Beaudoin asks that Hotline users save the date of Wednesday, February 15 and share this step by step plan with all NARFE members via chapter newsletters and other communication channels.

Step 1: Call the Capitol using NARFE's toll free number, 1-866-220-0044. Ask the operator to connect you to your representative's and/or senators' office.
 
 

Step 2: Tell the staff person who answers the telephone next where you live so they know you are a constituent, then say:
 
 

"I am a retired/active federal employee and member of NARFE." [Tell the staff person a little about your work.]

"[Senator or Representative X] represents thousands of federal workers and retirees and their survivors. Any plan that pays for two-thirds of the payroll tax holiday by taking money out the pockets of fewer than 2% of America's middle class is unacceptable, unfair, and certainly isn't shared sacrifice."

"Federal workers, retirees, and survivors have already done their part, saving the federal government $50 billion through a 2-year pay freeze. Making $65 billion in further cuts to pay, earned health and retirement benefits, or making changes to cost-of-living adjustments, would unfairly single out those who protected our nation, including many now on a fixed income."