January 24, 2012
The Courier-Journal
Letters to the Editor
P.O. Box 740031
Louisville, Ky., 40201-7431
You have now recently published two attacks on our state pension system. In fairness, I think you should publish our response.
The Kentucky Public Retiree Organization would like to set the record straight in response to recently publicized articles/editorials that have been printed in various news publications throughout the state. These articles have contained misinformation and falsehoods about our Kentucky state retirees/state employees and their pensions and benefits. We would appreciate your printing the "other side" of the pension issue as it is sure to be a very important topic in the 2012 General Assembly and we would like to provide the truth to the general public.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
For the past several years, public employees have been absorbing and taking the brunt of budget cuts as our policy makers balance the budget on the backs of these public servants. So much misinformation, falsehoods and generalities are being published and believed by our fellow citizens, that we need to set the record straight! The assault on public pensioners and employees from the private sector, specifically the Chamber of Commerce and the Bluegrass Institute (Jim Waters) needs to stop! If Mr. Waters is going to print information in our state newspapers, he needs to check his facts, rather than write items such as the tabloid magazines do without any proof of what he is saying.
First and foremost, we retirees are taxpayers too! For all the years we worked for the Commonwealth, we paid our taxes just like everyone else and still do, and contributed to our retirement without question. So, when the private sector groups say the taxpayers are paying for our pensions, we need to point out that in all our years of service we contributed a significant amount, what was mandated to our retirement fund. Not too many years ago, employees agreed to contribute an additional 1% so that they could have the benefits they now have. This percentage was deducted from employees' paychecks and deposited into their retirement account. So, you see, state retirees do not, or have not ever had a free ride at the expense of the taxpayers!
Secondly, incorrect information abounds concerning health insurance benefits and coverage for spouses and family members. The majority of retirees and current state employees have not only had many increases in their health insurance over the years, but have higher deductibles, higher co-pays, and have not had their spouse’s coverage paid for unless they paid it themselves. Hazardous duty retirees are the only ones having spouse coverage paid for, and this is not paid for in its entirety.
The current personnel policy for voting leave is up to 4 hours per election, and the number of hours off for giving blood is up to 4 hours. Let's set the record straight! Historically, the salary of public employees has been significantly lower than that of the private sector and in order to compete for the best and most qualified employee, the benefits provided were a major factor in securing top-notch employees. Remember, these retirees/employees the private sector seems so intent on bashing are our public servants who provide us with the essential services we all demand in our everyday lives.
A comment by Mr. Waters about the unfunded pension liability increasing by 3,000% to more than $30 billion is totally incorrect. Shame on you! The current unfunded liability is $19.2 billion as of July 1, 2011 and is caused, in part, by decreased revenue from investments in this time of economic downturn and the failure of the Legislature, over the past 20 years, to fund the system according to the Actuarially Required Contribution (ARC) rate. Another significant loss to the system is the loss of potential investment earnings and compounding on these employer contribution funds that were never placed into the system. The 2008 Pension Reform act was a positive step toward lowering this liability and we should give this reform act time to work. KPR has again urged the Governor and the Legislature to live up to its commitments in funding the ARC and expect them to do so.
So, we can only urge the private sector groups (individuals) responsible for these assaults on state employees and retirees to stop the jealous, petty bantering. Although we understand that the underfunding of our retirement system is a priority issue and one to be discussed in a positive manner, we will continue to protect the integrity of these public employees/retirees as an important segment of our society who deserve our respect and security in their retirement.
The Kentucky Public Retirees is an organization representing the interests of all public employees within the Kentucky Retirement Systems throughout the Commonwealth and we will continue to be the voice for those retired public servants in our quest for the stability and solvency of their retirement system as a whole and for the individual benefits they now receive and deserve.
Kentucky Public Retirees
North Central Chapter
Kentucky Public Retirees North Central Chapter
Plan of Service 2011-2012
As your President, these are my goals for the current 2011-2012 year:
1. Maintain a budget for the North Central Chapter. A Budget and Finance Committee Chair has been appointed to oversee the budget flow throughout the year. We will seek to build a healthy reserve and still have funds for charity projects.
2. Inform members of community service projects. It is my belief that retirees have an obligation to continue to give to their communities as long as they are physically and mentally able to do so, and that retirees have a lot to contribute. Many retirees need only to be given an outlet and an opportunity to get involved.
3. Research interest in group bus tours (for example, the Newport Aquarium), which are conducted on air-conditioned, restroom equipped, luxury buses through a tour service such as Toby Tours or Shockey Tours, Inc.
4. Hold discussion and problem solving sessions. Other KPR chapters have had good discussions between members as to mutual needs, problems, and interests.
5. Expand recruitment efforts – set up booths at senior events, fairs, etc. and send out recruitment letters to new retirees. Ask members to recruit members. With our free membership program, we have a golden opportunity to recruit a large number of new retirees as members.
6. Encourage attendance at meetings by new members by sending them a welcoming letter when they join KPR and greeting them warmly when they do attend.
7. Make our interests and needs known to state legislators through grass roots lobbying. Priorities are a catch-up raise for our older retirees and protection of the inviolable contract in regard to health insurance rates.
8. Encourage attendance and participation by implementing a carpooling program. A number of KPR North Central members have expressed that they would come to meetings if transportation were not such a problem - some do not drive, and some do not live very close to our meeting place.
- Cynthia Crawford, President
CONTACTING THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
For more information on contacting the Governor and his staff, please review the information below.
By Phone
You can leave a message for the Governor by dialing 502-564-2611.
By Mail
Letters should be addressed to:
Governor Steve Beshear
700 Capital Avenue, Suite 100
Frankfort, KY 40601
Online Information
Visit the Governor’s web site at http://www.governor.ky.gov/contact.htm for additional contact information.
CONTACTING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
For more information on contacting your legislator, please review the information below.
By Phone
You can leave a message for your legislator by dialing 1-800-372-7181.
By Mail
Mail a letter to a legislator C/O:
Legislative Research Commission
700 Capitol Ave.
Frankfort, KY. 40601
Online Information
Visit the Legislative Research Commission (LRC) web site at http://lrc.ky.gov/whoswho/whoswho.htm.
