Duane Tron re: ORTA press release

Duane Tron to John Curry, May 3, 2008
Subject: Re: Recent ORTA Press Release regarding economic stimulus money

I went straight to the top and inquired and anyone who files a federal income tax return is eligible for the economic stimulus check. People who do NOT meet the so-called 'minimum' income requirement explained by Ms. Hanning and ORTA are eligible if they simply file their 1040 form even if they didn't pay any federal income tax. They will receive a check. I didn't ask for specific information as to how they determine how much each applicant will receive. I was told that anybody who files is eligible regardless of the status of their pension system, public or private. When I read the information that was sent out from ORTA I was incredulous as I knew of several people who are on public assistance, they filed a tax return, and they already received their checks. Maybe the only people who shouldn't receive a check are those sitting on the ORTA Board, providing lousy information, and causing panic among poor retirees.

Duane

John Bos to Ann Hanning re: ORTA press release on Economic Stimulus

From John Bos, May 3, 2008
Subject: Recent ORTA Press Release regarding economic stimulus money

Dear Ms. Hanning,

I read your recent report regarding Federal and State (Ohio) not eligible for the stimulus payment. When I called my friend (who retired from the federal system and did not pay into Social Security) that he was NOT eligible. He told me that his $$$ was already in the bank and that your information was not correct.

Other sources have now verified that you were in error.

Please inform me how you arrived at this inaccurate information. What steps have you taken to communicate with your sources that you were given false information? What steps have you taken to inform the ORTA membership regarding this error?

John Bos

Shirlee Zerkel to Ann Hanning re: Federal Stimulus Package

From Shirlee Zerkel, May 3, 2008
Subject: Federal Stimulus Package
Dear Ms. Hanning:
I read your information about the federal stimulus checks on your website and became upset as have some other Ohio teacher retirees. It is incorrect as reported by an investigative reporter. There may be a few older retirees who are not eligible because they do not make the threshold amount needed. These retirees need help from ORTA in order to be able to receive that check. They are the ones who need it the most. ORTA exists to be the spokesperson for retired Ohio teachers. Well, speak up for us!
ORTA's lack of support for Ohio retirees is why I refuse to join the state organization.
Shirlee Zerkel

Good news re: the Federal Economic Stimulus Check?

From Ryan Holderman, May 2, 2008
Subject: Perhaps GOOD news!

Dear One & All:

John Curry, Nancy Hamant and I have spent the last few days trying to find out if STRS retirees would receive an Economic Stimulus Check. This was in response to the following item posted on the ORTA website:

"WILL I, AS A PENSION RECIPIENT, RECEIVE A FEDERAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS CHECK?"

Note on the Economic Stimulus Package for employer pension recipients article above: As this is a federal stimulus program, ORTA is encouraging members to contact their Federal legislators - U. S. Senator Voinovich and U. S. Senator Sherrod Brown and their U.S. Representative for further information about eligibility. Also read Stimulus Package: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Note specifically the question: Q. Is pension income from employers considered income for the Economic Stimulus Package? A. No, pension income is not included in eligible income. [New 4/11/08]The information on the question and answer page was last updated on 4/29/08."

The Economic Stimulus funds were electronically deposited to my account today, Friday. Perhaps this is an indication that STRS retirees will be included.

If you, as an STRS retiree, have received your check, please let John, Nancy or I know so that we can monitor whether everyone is benefiting from this program.

Thanks,

Ryan [holderman@go-concepts.com]

PS: Nancy Hamant's letter follows:

Ryan has received his "Economic Stimulus" payment. Hoorah, it appears Ohio educators have not been across the board excluded from the "Economic Stimulus" payment!

For your information, the questions regarding whether STRS retirees would be receiving an "Economic Stimulus" payment were forwarded to Jeff Hirsh, investigative reporter for Channel 12 in the Cincinnati area, including the information on the ORTA website. Jeff graciously agreed to research the issue.

Jeff talked directly with an IRS spokesperson. Who informed Jeff that the base level for receipt of an "Economic Stimulus" payment was to have filed a 2007 tax form with IRS and if that form indicated income at or above approximately $8700 for 2007, the person filing would be eligible for an "Economic Stimulus" payment which would vary based on income for 2007. Jeff also found out that some of the "exceptions" listed at the IRS Internet site were applicable to help those whose income for 2007 fell below the approximate $8700 threshold.

Kudos to Jeff Hirsh for acting promptly on all Ohio educators behalf!

It is important for CORE to find out from STRS how many of our retirees fall below the $8700 threshold and don't have any of the qualifying factors that would help them receive the "Economic Stimulus" payment. Hopefully, not a great number of retired educators, however, those who fall in category probably are among Ohio's most elderly and would benefit immensely from the "Economic Stimulus" payment.

Nancy Hamant
[ANhamant@aol.com]

RH Jones: AG Dann should not resign

From RH Jones, May 2, 2008

Subject: Attny. Gen. Marc Dann should NOT resign or be fired!

To all:

Marc Dann has not resigned his office as Ohio Attorney General – yet! Or has he been fired. Explanation: If true, a TV program this noon (05/02/08) showed him confessing to the public for having an affair with an adult female. As you know, Dann is married. And he has apologized to his wife, family and friends. Again, if true, he should not voluntarily resign or be fired! This alleged affair should not affect his performance of his duties. My reasoning:

1. He has proven to be extremely capable in fulfilling his responsibilities as Ohio Attorney General.

2. He is competent to the extreme and has shown to, since taking office, to be very effective of guarding the public’s interests.

3. Since this involves consenting adults, those citizens of Africa, Asia, and Europe would regard this as a private matter. To them this would not be the public’s business.

4. It did not take place at the expense of the public.

5. Marc Dann is not God, the Pope, a priest, a preacher, or a rabbi and should not be held to their standards.

6. While all of us are subject to human imperfections, Marc Dann is also human. Note: Not being perfect, however, he has not broken a civil law.

It is my opinion, as a church-going American, an Ohioan, a multi-union member, voter and retired Ohio teacher, that this man should be retained in office. His service to Ohio has been too valuable for him to be let go. I urge everyone to support this great attorney general. We worked too hard to get him elected to have such a private matter remove him from doing the job that we voted to have him do. His continued talents as attorney general should be used to serve out his term. He has helped and is the one to continue to clean up the mess left by the last Ohio administration that was proven guilty of breaking civil law.

Robert Hudson Jones, an Ohio citizen

Economic Stimulus funds...Ryan's check arrived!

Ryan Holderman to John Curry, May 2, 2008
Subject: Economic Stimulus funds

Dear John:

When I checked my account this morning I found that the IRS had deposited the Economic Stimulus funds to my account.

I wonder if other STRS retirees have found this to be the case.

Later, Ryan

Molly Ganz: Retired teachers WILL get 'Stimulus' check

From Molly Ganz, May 2, 2008
Subject: Retired teachers WILL get "stimulus."

Good news!

One of our STRS retirees found that the "Economic Stimulus Check" was indeed deposited this morning into his back account via direct deposit. So, let me apologize for passing that misinformation from ORTA (The Ohio Retired Teachers Association) along to you. I'm expecting a retraction on their web site soon.

Dates to expect your rebate:

DIRECT DEPOSIT

Last two SSN digits: Payments will be transmitted no later than:
00 through 20 May 2
21 through 75 May 9
76 through 99 May 16

Paper checks will also go out based on Social Security number. For Social Security numbers ending in 00 through 09, the paper checks will be mailed starting May 9 and will continue through May 16.

A similar process will be repeated in the following weeks.

PAPER CHECK

Last two SSN digits: Payments will be mailed no later than:
00 through 09 May 16
10 through 18 May 23
19 through 25 May 30

26 through 38 June 6
39 through 51 June 13
52 through 63 June 20

64 through 75 June 27
76 through 87 July 4
88 through 99 July 11

Beware of e-mail scam claiming to be from IRS.gov: the IRS does NOT send us e-mails!

May 2, 2008

Thanks to a northern Ohio retiree, we have this info about an e-mail scam pertaining to the Economic Stimulus Package. He writes "The person who forwarded this to me is a US Navy Mech. Eng. Tech. I trust that he checked this out as he says."

As reported on CNN .

I just received an email, supposedly from the IRS.gov <http://irs.gov/> . Claiming that I needed to click on a link and fill out the necessary information to receive my 2008 Stimulus Economic Refund. Don't be fooled, it's looks legit and very real. I checked on the IRS.gov <http://irs.gov/> site, and they clearly advise against responding to the email, and against opening the link, as it may place a virus onto your computer. They note that they do not correspond with anyone via email, and that it's a scam. If you should receive this email, please forward to: phishing@irs.gov. Please pass this on and be aware!!!

Click here to see Google entries about this scam.

Federal Economic Stimulus Package: Confusing language

From Molly Ganz, May 2, 2008

Subject: Re: Retired teachers won't get "stimulus."

Hi folks,

This item has been nagging at me :-/ Maybe we should wait and see if anyone gets the stimulus tomorrow. (Direct Deposits to be received tomorrow if SS# ends in 00 through 20)

I kept reading that IRS FAQ question: "Is pension income from employers considered income for the Economic Stimulus Package?"

What eventually caught my eye is the phrase "from your employer." STRS is not our "employer." Agree? So does that make a difference? STRS is really ours... the teachers, not the school districts. Right? Does this make sense to you?

However, the answer to that IRS question is: "No, pension income is not included in eligible income."

Hopefully, ORTA is indeed mistaken in its interpretation of the IRS eligibility requirements and/or the IRS didn't use the proper language in its response to the question and in so doing confused the whole issue for a bunch of us. I suppose we'll know soon.

Molly G

ORTA re: The Federal Economic Stimulus Package

Will you get a check?

Click here to see what ORTA says about it.

Ryan Holderman re: The Federal Economic Stimulus checks

Ryan Holderman to John Curry, May 1, 2008
Subject: More on stimulus checks

Dear John:

The IRS site (www.irs.gov) has this to say:

Q: I know some people won’t get a stimulus payment. How do I know if I’m one of them?

A: You won’t get a stimulus payment in 2008, if any of the following apply to you:

• You don’t file a 2007 tax return.

• Your net income tax liability is zero and your qualifying income is less than $3,000. To determine your qualifying income, add together your wages, net self-employment income, nontaxable combat pay, Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits and certain veterans’ payments.

• You can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return (whether or not you actually are claimed as a dependent on someone else's return). For example, this would include a child or student who can be claimed on a parent’s return. [Updated 4/15/08]

• You do not have a valid Social Security Number.

• You are a nonresident alien.

• You file Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR-EZ, Form 1040PR or Form 1040SS for 2007.

I see nothing there that would exclude us.

However, there is also this statement:

Q. Is pension income from employers considered income for the Economic Stimulus Package?

A. No, pension income is not included in eligible income. [New 4/11/08]

That may be why ORTA thinks we are not eligible.

My question then would be why social security income is eligible but not our pension income?

Based on the last two digits of my SS# and the fact that I had my income tax return electronically deposited, I should be in the group that received their stimulus deposit this week. I have not seen it.

Later,

Ryan

Ryan Holderman: A message to fellow retirees

From Ryan Holderman, April 30, 2008
Subject: Excluded from Economic Stimulus Program

Dear Fellow Retirees:

ORTA has indicated that we will not be receiving a Federal Economic Stimulus Check. "ORTA has received a number of calls and e-mails concerning the Federal Stimulus Program/Package. It appears that at this time those STRS benefits recipients who only have income from their STRS pension will not receive a check. In fact, those receiving as their only income, a public or private pension, will not receive a check." I have sent the letter copied below to both Senator Voinovich and Senator Brown. I encourage you to let your feelings be known about being excluded from this program.

Sincerely,

Ryan

-------

Dear Senator Voinovich:

I am a retired Ohio teacher. The Ohio Retired Teachers Association has indicated that, as a STRS benefit recipient, I will not be receiving an economic stimulus check. I do not understand why this is the case. I pay taxes on my retirement benefit and paid taxes on my income before I retired. Retirees certainly could use the economic stimulus dollars as a hedge against the ever increasing threat to survival that living on a fixed income presents.

Would you please explain the logic behind this ruling and what role you played in the implementation of this legislation.

If I am excluded from receiving a stimulus check, I feel that I should also be excluded from having to pay taxes on my retirement benefit!

Sincerely,

Ryan L. Holderman

Economic Tax Stimulus -- The IRS answers some FAQs

From two retirees (who worked on finding this information), May 1, 2008

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=179181,00.html

Sample:

Q. Is pension income from employers considered income for the Economic Stimulus Package?

A. No, pension income is not included in eligible income. [New 4/11/08]

My question now is why social security income is eligible but not our pension income? AND does this mean federal tax will no longer be deducted from my monthly check?

Q: I know some people won't get a stimulus payment. How do I know if I'm one of them?

A: You won't get a stimulus payment in 2008, if any of the following apply to you:

* You don't file a 2007 tax return.

* Your net income tax liability is zero and your qualifying income is less than $3,000. To determine your qualifying income, add together your wages, net self-employment income, nontaxable combat pay, Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits and certain veterans' payments.

* You can be claimed as a dependent on someone else's return (whether or not you actually are claimed as a dependent on someone else's return). For example, this would include a child or student who can be claimed on a parent's return. [Updated 4/15/08]

* You do not have a valid Social Security Number.

* You are a nonresident alien.

* You file Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR-EZ, Form 1040PR or Form 1040SS for 2007.

Dates for those who do get it:

DIRECT DEPOSIT

Last two SSN digits: Payments will be transmitted no later than:

00 through 20 May 2
21 through 75 May 9
76 through 99 May 16

Paper checks will also go out based on Social Security number. For Social Security numbers ending in 00 through 09, the paper checks will be mailed starting May 9 and will continue through May 16. A similar process will be repeated in the following weeks.

PAPER CHECK

Last two SSN digits: Payments will be mailed no later than:

00 through 09 May 16
10 through 18 May 23
19 through 25 May 30
26 through 38 June 6
39 through 51 June 13
52 through 63 June 20
64 through 75 June 27
76 through 87 July 4
88 through 99 July 11

Proposed change in STRS election procedures and......a little more sunshine!

From John Curry, April 30, 2008
Subject: Fw: Proposed change in STRS election procedures and......a little more sunshine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ryan and others....do you suppose that this proposed change just might have something to do with Dr. Leone's questioning of the old STRS "way of doing business" and CORE's Kathie Bracy's letter to the Ohio Attorney General which led to the AG issuing an opinion that secret balloting at an open STRS board meeting was not acceptable? Below is Kathie's 2007 letter to Marc Dann. Isn't it humorous that an organization that is undergoing reform, thanks to Dr. Leone and John Lazares, is finally getting around to finally changing their wording to what should have been the proper practice in the first place? Oh well, better late than never!

John

P.S. I wonder why ORTA and the OEA didn't push for this reform....they had the opportunity, didn't they?

Kathie Bracy to Marc Dann, April 6, 2007
Subject: STRS and the Sunshine Law

Dear Mr. Dann,

Thank you very much for going after offenders in the PUCO with regard to the Sunshine Law. I would like to know if the Sunshine Law also applies to Board meetings at the State Teachers Retirement System.

Secret ballot votes were taken to appoint Conni Ramser to replace Jack Chapman (who was forced out because of his conviction on ethics charges) and Tai Hayden to replace Michael Billirakis (same reason). The names are not particularly relevant here; the real issue is the process used: a secret vote.

When Board member Dennis Leone asked why they weren't voting publicly, the response he received (I can't recall offhand who said it) was "Because we don't have to."

Something's not right about this picture; I would now like to know if the STRS Board is also subject to the Sunshine Law. For that matter, is STRS Ohio itself subject to that law?

Many thanks.

Kathie Bracy
http://kathiebracy.blogspot.com

From Ryan Holderman, April 30, 2008
Subject: Proposed change in STRS election procedures.
Dear One & All:

There's an interesting change to the STRS election process being proposed at a hearing scheduled on June 3, 2008. It would change the way voting by the Board is done when a vacancy occurs on the state teachers retirement board. Rather than a secret ballot, the vote would be a public vote.

The exact wording is available on the last page of the PDF document linked below.

Later, Ryan

Public Hearing Notice for June 3, 2008

The State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, at 4 p.m. at 275 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, to consider:

Adoption of proposed new rule:

3307-2-02 Election of successor member when vacancy occurs on the state teachers retirement board.

The proposed rule sets forth the procedure for filling a vacancy in the term of a member of the board of the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio. The rule is proposed in accordance with Section 3307.075 of the Ohio Revised Code as enacted by Sub. S.B. 133 of the 127th General Assembly.

All interested parties will be given an opportunity to be heard. Any interested party unable to attend the public hearing may submit written comments to the undersigned prior to the public hearing.

Click here to view a PDF of the full and complete text of the proposed rule. It is also on file in the office of the Secretary of State, the Legislative Service Commission and the office of the Joint Commission on Agency Rule Review.

HEART DRUG RECALL

From a retiree, April 28, 2008
Subject: Get the word out to everyone on this drug. We have the drug on our list. Wal Mart is NOT contacting patients. I'll bet the PBM'S are not notifying either.

Actavis Totowa LLC notified healthcare professionals of a Class I nationwide recall of all strengths of Digitek, a drug used to treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. The products are distributed by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., under a “Bertek” label and by UDL Laboratories, Inc. under a “UDL” label. The product is being recalled due to the possibility that tablets with double the appropriate thickness may contain twice the approved level of active ingredient. The existence of double strength tablets poses a risk of digitalis toxicity in patents with renal failure. Digitalis toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure, cardiac instability and bradycardia. Several reports of illnesses and injuries have been reported. Patients should contact their healthcare professional with questions.

Read the entire 2008 MedWatch Safety Summary, including a link to the manufacturer's press release regarding this issue at:

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2...08.htm#Digitek

RH Jones re: HB 315

From RH Jones, April 28, 2008
Subject: HB. 315, public school districts & supers

To all:

Growing up in Akron, when I was a child for fun we played the little game “Akron Beacon Journal Times Press”. And then we pressed our index finger on our friend’s noses. Having read the Beacon since Miss Mahoney, in my first grade class at Akron’s Lincoln Public Elementary School, taught me how to read; I have faithfully read my Beacon daily. I am now 76 years old.

The Beacon continues to inspire and to shape my view of American society even today, 04/28/08. I therefore quote a Beacon’s quote of Samuel Findley an Akron pioneer super superintendent1906 dedication of a new school. In part, he said: ‘Grand buildings and fine furnishings, carefully devised courses of study, choice textbooks and other appliances are all well and good enough, but of little consequence without the presence of the living teacher.’ …’A little child is a sacred thing – a life germ to be quickened and nourished’. at the

So my fellow Ohioans, in today’s 2008 difficult times for our sacred children and their public school teachers -- a time when a majority of families have been torn asunder -- it is the teacher who is now the most important factor in the majority of Ohio’s children’s education. It is, therefore, only common sense that HB. 315 provides a steady stream of health care funding for teachers in their retirement -- a great incentive to factoring in public schools: nourishing teachers of the best knowledge and character.

Note: Throwing away our precious tax dollars to for-profit charter schools certainly is not helping to properly fund retired teacher health care now or in the future.

This is my view,

RHJones, a STRS teacher member

Flashback 2 years ago: STRS Board member Hazel Sidaway convicted; more to come

From John Curry, April 26, 2008
Subject: FLASHBACK-2 YEARS AGO- STRS Board member Sidaway convicted...the first of many more to come!

"Prosecutor Lara N. Baker said Sidaway and the board were part of a retirement system culture of entitlement. She said the board abandoned its responsibility to retirees and teachers. She said Sidaway took so many trips on the pension fund’s dime that it became a full-time job for her."

Ex-STRS board member Sidaway guilty

Canton Repository, April 15, 2006
By PAUL E. KOSTYU
COPLEY COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF

COLUMBUS - Hazel Sidaway was found guilty Friday of two counts of violating state ethics laws. The former Canton City Schools teacher faces a $1,000 fine and a 6-month jail term on each count. Eight jurors took two hours to arrive at their verdict after listening to testimony for three days in Franklin County Municipal Court. They said Sidaway was innocent of four ethics charges.

She was convicted of accepting four tickets, valued at $120, to a Cleveland Indians game in July 2001 and two tickets, valued at $550, to the Broadway show Hairspray in May 2003. She took family members to both events.

Sidaway’s attorney, H. Ritchey Hollenbaugh, said an appeal is unlikely. He said Sidaway had no regrets about going to trial. “She never considered a plea because to this day she believes she did nothing wrong.”

Judge Carrie E. Glaeden will sentence Sidaway on May 12.

Hollenbaugh said he will ask for leniency and that the judge “take into consideration other cases, like the governor’s.” Gov. Bob Taft was convicted of four ethics violations last year in a plea deal that netted him a $4,000 fine and court costs, but no jail time.

Hollenbaugh referred to Taft in his closing arguments Friday. “Did (Sidaway) play golf 52 times and not report it?” he said.

This was the second conviction in an ongoing investigation by the ethics commission of the State Teachers Retirement System, where Sidaway was a board member when she broke the law. Former Executive Director Herbert Dyer was convicted on a single ethics charge in a plea deal in September 2005. He was fined $1,000 and court costs and ordered to pay $394 in restitution to the retirement system.

Dennis Leone, the former superintendent and now retirement system board member who initiated questions about how the fund was operating years ago, said he hopes Sidaway is ordered to pay restitution.

“I wish other spending abuses that board members engaged in could be part of this decision,” he said.

Other board members and staff are on the prosecutor’s radar, some of whom went on the New York trip with Sidaway and others who may have violated ethics laws in other ways. Retirement system attorney Bill Neville attended the trial and took notes.

“We’d like to resolve (future) cases expeditiously,” said Paul Nick, chief investigator for the Ohio Ethics Commission. “I think they can see what is coming.”

“I think people will be paying attention,” Hollenbaugh said.

Sidaway cried and her lips quivered as Hollenbaugh made his closing arguments, telling jurors “she is not a criminal.” He said, “This case is an insult to the people who do public service.”

Prosecutor Lara N. Baker said Sidaway and the board were part of a retirement system culture of entitlement. She said the board abandoned its responsibility to retirees and teachers. She said Sidaway took so many trips on the pension fund’s dime that it became a full-time job for her.

Under cross examination by Assistant City Attorney Mickey Prisley, Sidaway said she considered the Broadway show a board meeting because conversations occurred before the show, during intermission and on the walk back to the hotel after the performance.

Prisley was incredulous, asking her repeatedly to justify the expense.

“I’m telling you,” Sidaway said firmly, “we had conversations at appropriate times in the evening.”

The commission initiated an investigation of the retirement system after media reports, including many by Copley Ohio Newspapers, in 2003 and 2004 raised questions about travel, bonuses, artwork and other items.

Reach Copley Columbus Bureau Chief Paul E. Kostyu at (614) 222-8901 or e-mail: paul.kostyu@cantonrep.com

Note from John....what did the OFT have to say about this? Well, click here to see their commentary.