Posted Apr 12, 2011 by
General News
Health Care
Legislation
Retirement
Associated Press April 12, 2011
When it comes to shaping the future of Social Security, Sen. Dianne Feinstein says "everything should be on the table," including gradually raising the retirement age.
Sen. Barbara Boxer takes a different view. She is co-sponsoring legislation that would require a two-thirds majority vote before Congress could proceed with any legislation that would reduce benefits, increase the retirement age or transition the program to private accounts.
[Read More...]
Posted Apr 08, 2011 by
General News
State Economy
Politics
As Brown launches a road trip in a quest for public support, some of his most ardent supporters are wondering if he’ll sell his budget plans by moving to the right – too far to the right.
The issue arises after the Democratic governor proposed changes in the public pension system, including many that have been demanded by Republicans or already contained in GOP-authored legislation. Some were presented as ideas, worded vaguely and signaling a starting point for negotiations.
[Read More...]
Posted Apr 08, 2011 by
CalPERS
General News
Retirement
State Employees
Dear CalPERS Members, Employers and Stakeholders,
CalPERS recently took bold action and made public a report that chronicles in sobering detail the alleged wrongdoings of its former Chief Executive Officer and several former Board Members.
It is not possible to explain or excuse the chronicled actions of these former officials and we will make no attempt to do so. I am truly sorry that our members and the taxpayers who support the incredibly important work of every public servant have been placed in a position where they might question the integrity of this organization.
[Read More...]
Posted Apr 08, 2011 by
General News
Health Care
State Economy
Retirement
Sacramento Bee
Published Friday, Apr. 08, 2011
Executives from the Area 4 Agency on Aging – which funnels more than $6 million in federal grants each year to a host of seniors' nutrition, health and social programs in a seven-county area including Sacramento – warned elder advocates this week to expect significant funding reductions to programs for older adults.
"We're entering the great unknown," said Area 4 Agency on Aging executive director Deanna Lea. "We need a disaster plan, just in case."
[Read More...]
Posted Apr 08, 2011 by
State Economy
Politics
State Employees
Sacramento Bee
Published Friday, Apr. 08, 2011
With the budget stuck in neutral, Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers are leaving Sacramento to bolster their case for and against taxes.
The dueling roadshows reflect the fact that the parties remain at loggerheads after talks broke down last week. Facing a remaining $15.4 billion deficit, Brown is still seeking an election on taxes.
[Read More...]
Posted Mar 16, 2011 by
CalPERS
Retirees
Politics
Retirement
Shaken by a report alleging wrongdoing by former top officials, directors of the California Public Employees' Retirement System voted to push for legislation curtailing gift-giving to public employees and limiting board members and executives from going to work for companies doing business with the pension fund. [Read More...]
Posted Mar 14, 2011 by
CalPERS
Retirees
CSEA Vice President Donna Snodgrass will do the best job representing the interests of state retirees on the CalPERS Board of Administration, the CSEA Retirees Board of Directors decided at its meeting in Burlingame Feb. 11. [Read More...]
Posted Mar 14, 2011 by
CSEA
Retirees
Members in good standing who want to serve as delegates at the CSEA Retirees Delegate Assembly should contact their chapter president to see if there are openings.
[Read More...]
Posted Mar 14, 2011 by
Retirees
Each of the 25 chapters within CSEA Retirees, Inc. has different strengths, styles and goals for their chapter members.
But certain standards of excellence are recognized within all chapters throughout California.
The concept of the Distinguished Chapter of the Year was adopted last November by the CSEA Retirees, Inc. Board of Directors. Board members agreed that effective nonprofit organizations recognize the achievements of their members and organizational units. Without recognition, individuals and chapters will not see standards of excellence and thus will not be able to strive toward those goals.
[Read More...]
Posted Mar 14, 2011 by
CalPERS
State Economy
Sacramento Bee March 14, 2011
If things had gone according to plan, Gov. Jerry Brown might be on the campaign trail asking voters to support tax extensions to balance the state budget.
Instead, the Democratic governor spent the weekend negotiating with Republican lawmakers to place his tax package on the ballot in exchange for long-term changes on pensions, spending growth and state regulations. [Read More...]
Posted Mar 14, 2011 by
Retirees
State Employees
The grandchildren, dependents and spouses of CSEA members have until April 29 to submit scholarship applications to the CSEA Foundation.
Scholarship applications may be obtained by calling Gae Van Wagoner at (916) 326-4228 or they can be downloaded by going to the CSEA Web site.
[Read More...]
Posted Mar 03, 2011 by
CalPERS
Retirees
State Economy
Politics
State Employees
Lawmakers on Wednesday reacted skeptically to a controversial new proposal to lower public employee pensions throughout state and local government.
"Frankly, I just don't see this happening," said Sen. Alex Padilla during a joint meeting of Assembly and Senate committees that oversee public employee compensation.
[Read More...]
Posted Mar 03, 2011 by
General News
State Economy
Americans strongly oppose efforts to strip unionized government workers of their rights to collectively bargain, even as they want public employees to contribute more money to their retirement and health-care benefits, the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll shows. [Read More...]
Posted Mar 03, 2011 by
General News
Legislation
State Economy
In what could become a turning point in Gov. Jerry Brown's effort to close California's $26.6 billion deficit, a group of Republican state senators may support the Democratic governor's plan to ask voters for extended tax increases, in exchange for concessions, people familiar with the matter said. [Read More...]
Posted Feb 04, 2011 by
CalPERS
PERSWatch will sponsor a “CalPERS Candidates’ Forum,” moderated by the League of Women Voters of Sacramento County, on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The forum will take place in the CalPERS Auditorium, Lincoln Plaza North, 400 P Street, Sacramento, California.
[Read More...]
Posted Feb 02, 2011 by
Politics
Sacramento Bee
A Santa Barbara-based organization that wants to end union representation of California government employees has revved up its campaign contribution collection machinery for a run at putting the idea to a statewide vote.
Although Secretary of State records indicate that Californians for Public Union Reform hasn't reported that it has taken in any money yet -- it just filed with the state last week -- it is positioning itself to accept contributions with an aim toward putting an initiative on the ballot next year.
[Read More...]
Posted Jan 11, 2011 by
State Economy
Politics
Medi-Cal patients would have new mandatory co-pays and limits on their prescriptions and doctor visits.
Doctors and nursing homes would be hit with a 10 percent cut in Medi-Cal reimbursements.
And state funding for adult day health care would be eliminated, making it tougher for thousands of frail seniors to remain in their homes.
[Read More...]
Posted Dec 16, 2010 by
Politics
When Governor-elect Jerry Brown told me at a recent fundraiser that he intended to defend the defined benefit pension system, I was reassured that CSEA Retirees had made the right decision to support Brown in the November election.
[Read More...]
Posted Nov 04, 2010 by
Politics
The most expensive non-presidential race in U.S. history ended Tuesday with Democrat Jerry Brown back in the Governor's Office after surviving more than $160 million in campaign spending by Republican Meg Whitman.
[Read More...]
Posted Oct 15, 2010 by
Retirement
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The release of today's zero cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) by the Social Security Administration (SSA) presents yet another daunting challenge for millions of older adults who are still struggling to make ends meet in today's economy.
[Read More...]