Jim N. Reed to Rep. Schaffer: Caution: Lame Duck Legislation Beyond Lame And A Cheap Shot at Teacher-Vets
From Jim N. Reed, December 13, 2006
Subject: Caution: Lame Duck Legislation Beyond Lame And A Cheap Shot at Teacher-Vets
Representative Schaffer, as a Fairfield County constituent I urge you to exercise immediate caution on a couple pieces of pending legislation that need to be stopped dead in their bloody tracks (educators' blood).
HB 700 is an outright disgrace and my guess is that you have already lent your voice to its opposition as I know your track record supporting education in Fairfield County and your objection to any legislative maneuvering that smacks of a conflict of interest. This one seems to have quite an odor.
Blasdel's attempts to promote a piece of legislation that would draw off retirement contributions from young educators toward private investment (that adds up to a deduction from retired educators) are an embarrassment and potential disaster to all educators, retired, active, and prospective.
I trust you have already voiced your objections and have encouraged the placement of this shameful legislation in the file in which it belongs, DOA, before it ever sees the light of day.
Secure retirement for educators has become such a major disappointment, uncertainty and disillusionment, we certainly do not need another slap in the face. The General Assembly is currently making an effort to help us find a dedicated stream of funding to salvage our retirement healthcare system and we are certainly appreciative. Please awaken Blasdel to the errors of his ways.
Also, Mr. Schaffer, I have recently seen some information on another piece of legislation (HB 71) that is much further along in its legislative path. I would ask that you carefully examine its content to ascertain whether or not it is possible that STRS teacher-veterans may be squeezed out of some of their benefits as scapegoats for the shortfall of others. Certainly, veterans should never be put in a position to be sacrificed after the sacrifices they have already made.
Subject: Caution: Lame Duck Legislation Beyond Lame And A Cheap Shot at Teacher-Vets
Representative Schaffer, as a Fairfield County constituent I urge you to exercise immediate caution on a couple pieces of pending legislation that need to be stopped dead in their bloody tracks (educators' blood).
HB 700 is an outright disgrace and my guess is that you have already lent your voice to its opposition as I know your track record supporting education in Fairfield County and your objection to any legislative maneuvering that smacks of a conflict of interest. This one seems to have quite an odor.
Blasdel's attempts to promote a piece of legislation that would draw off retirement contributions from young educators toward private investment (that adds up to a deduction from retired educators) are an embarrassment and potential disaster to all educators, retired, active, and prospective.
I trust you have already voiced your objections and have encouraged the placement of this shameful legislation in the file in which it belongs, DOA, before it ever sees the light of day.
Secure retirement for educators has become such a major disappointment, uncertainty and disillusionment, we certainly do not need another slap in the face. The General Assembly is currently making an effort to help us find a dedicated stream of funding to salvage our retirement healthcare system and we are certainly appreciative. Please awaken Blasdel to the errors of his ways.
Also, Mr. Schaffer, I have recently seen some information on another piece of legislation (HB 71) that is much further along in its legislative path. I would ask that you carefully examine its content to ascertain whether or not it is possible that STRS teacher-veterans may be squeezed out of some of their benefits as scapegoats for the shortfall of others. Certainly, veterans should never be put in a position to be sacrificed after the sacrifices they have already made.
Though I am not a veteran of the Armed Services I have great respect for those who are. I am a veteran of another "front," the classrooms of the Ohio educator." I have been so for 42 years. I certainly do not compare my service to theirs but I do know that a teacher-veteran is a person deserving special commendation and security in retirement.
I would agree with the sentiments of a retired teacher-vet, "If you enjoy your democracy, thank a vet who happens to be a teacher."
Thank you, Representative Schaffer, for your serious and astute examination of these important pieces of pending legislation. Many families' well-being and security are at stake.
Jim N. Reed
posted by Kathie Bracy at 11:23 PM
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