Chair Talk
June 2006
On May 8, 2006, I received an e-mail from Bruce Andrews informing me that a meeting was set for May 15 at Governor Granholm’s Upper Peninsula office in Marquette. The meeting was to be with Matt Johnson (Director) and Stacy Welling (Northern Michigan Representative) of the Governor’s Upper Peninsula office. Bruce and I met with Matt and Stacy and discussed the issue of pension amounts for pre-1986 retirees. This initial meeting lasted for about one and a half hours. We discussed the issue in detail and left copies of information we had that supported our position. Both Bruce and I indicated that we were still seeking a meeting with the Governor.
On Thursday, May 25, I returned a call to Stacy Welling and was informed that Governor Granholm would be attending a State Employee/Retiree Reception being held on Tuesday, May 30, at the State Office Building in Escanaba. The Reception was to be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Stacy further informed me that she had scheduled a meeting for Bruce and me with the Governor at 9:00 a.m. that day.
On May 30, Bruce and I met with Governor Granholm, Matt Johnson and Stacy Welling and my wife (Peggy) who took pictures during the meeting. The Governor seemed to show a great deal of concern for the older retirees asked us if we had a solution. We then presented a copy of the House Bill that had been introduced previously by Representative Woronchak. We indicated that this bill would significantly help the pre-1986 retirees. The Governor asked how many retirees were affected by low pension amounts and our estimate of the cost to the State for this “catch-up.” We told her that the Retirement Fund would be the appropriate place to seek the money to fund the increases as the previous Governor had utilized that fund for the “early outs” in 2002. We also informed her that the Office of Retirement Services could provide the number of retirees affected. In our estimation there are an estimated 12,000 or more) retirees affected. We also discussed the fact that on several occasions the State did not adequately deposit the correct funds in the Retirement Fund and that was one reason the fund was not at 100%. During this meeting we also discussed the loss of the “13th check.” Governor Granholm told us that our discussed raised some questions that she would be seeking answers for from Chris DeRose. She then said she would look into our request and get back with SERA. Bruce and I both thought the meeting went well and came away feeling more hopefully than we have been for some time. Our meeting lasted about 35 minutes.
The State Employee/Retiree Recognition Reception was then held in a conference room. The reception was attended by over 100 retirees and state employees. The majority were retirees. Bruce had his Chapter make signs welcoming the Governor to the Upper Peninsula. Governor Granholm then spoke and shook hands with everyone in the room. The Governor closed the reception with a 15-minute speech. Peggy had taken pictures during the reception and taped a video of the Governor’s speech. A CD of all the pictures taken and a copy of the video will be available for all SERA CHapters to be distributed on June 8, 2006.
After the reception, Stacy Welling offered that should would be the person that we could call as a contact in the Governor’s office.
This meeting may not have taken place if not for Bruce Andrew’s efforts in setting it up.
I believe that the meeting that was held with Governor Granholm will prove to be a positive effort on SERA’s attempts to increase the pre-1986 retiree’s monthly pension amounts. From the SERA meeting minutes and records I have reviewed, I don’t believe that SERA has ever had a meeting with a seated Governor to discuss a retiree issue. The question that remains as to whether Governor Granholm can help us with the problems of our older retirees. I am hoping that something positive was gained with this meeting.
Peggy Moczul, Director of Employee Benefits, will be leaving for her position on June 9, 2006. Peggy will be moving to Northern Michigan. I, for one, will be sad to see her leave. Peggy has been very committed to the health care needs of all retirees. Peggy has always been available for us if ne need her. We wish her well.
Editor’s note: Bob Kopasz is Chair of the Michigan SERA Council. He may be reached at P.O. Box 692, Mt. Morris, MI 48458; phone 810/240-8380
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