Linda Meinelt re: Keep Your Hands Off My COLA

From Linda Meinelt, May 2, 2009
Subject: Re: Charlie re. Keep Your Hands Off My COLA

I must "weigh in" on this elimination of COLA. Whoever came up with the idea of eliminating it needs to rethink long and hard just who put the money into STRS and about all the "hits" retirees have taken on our pension, the most notable being that of health care costs.

Let's remember STRS is for the members.

Money needs to be saved and a good starting place is eliminating the Investment Staff bonuses, and making the STRS employees health care more on a par with the coverage of retirees.

When the real estate market improves, STRS needs to consider selling its building and either buying a less expensive building or leasing space, whichever is cheaper. I have heard many comments from both retirees and current teachers about the excesses of the building and that they would be happy to go to a storefront for as often as they "visit" STRS.

Eliminate our COLA -- start looking elsewhere!!

Linda Meinelt