Shirlee Zerkel: Interesting items from the Winter 2008 OEA-R Newsline

From Shirlee Zerkel, February 29, 2008
Subject: More info from the OEA-R NEWSLINE

"Speaker Husted to Take Divestment Issue Back to Caucus Speaker Jon Husted (R-Kettering) plans to discuss with the Republican House caucus the progress the five state retirement systems have made in divesting their investments in companies doing business in Iran and Sudan. The retirement systems were told to divest at least 50% of holdings in the targeted international companies by December, or the House would pass House Bill (H.B.) 151 (Mandel). OEA legislative policies assert that the state should not dictate the investment decisions of retirement systems. Rather, the retirement systems must have the authority to act in behalf of the interests of their members."

The following is from an article titled: "New Business Items Underscore Support for Retiree Healthcare Legislation Following reports to the Assembly by STRS Board member Connie Ramser and Health Care Advocate Co-Chair Bill Leibensperger, two New Business Items (NBI) were adopted by the Representative Assembly that reiterated the organization's strong report of HB 315. The first NBI stated support for HB 315 and the second directed OEA President Patricia Frost-Brooks to provide direct testimony to the STRS Board either in writing or in person, stating OEA's unequivocal support for HB 315 and asking the Board to avoid public controversy over issues of secondary importance that might give the impression to legislators that STRS lacks direction or is experiencing management difficulties. Both of these ideas are inaccurate inferences expressed by a few legislators looking for an excuse to oppose HB 315."