VSEA members, teachers and troopers packed three rooms inside the Pavilion Building for yesterday’s meeting of the State Pension Task Force, which was meeting to begin preparing a final report to sent to lawmakers in January. It’s safe to say the Task Force knows workers, other than those on the Task Force, are listening.
VTDigger’s recent report on the work of the Legislature’s pension committee shows many members who seem determined to break promises made over the years to public employees.
They continue to insist that cuts in pensions must be made instead of finding new revenues. Some are now hiding behind the governor’s opposition to new taxes.
Why not do what is right by keeping commitments and then letting the governor either sign or veto? Instead, they seem ready to let him off the hook.
A recent VTDigger story let labor representatives on the State Pension Task Force, including three VSEA members, know that a much-needed revenue source to help fund employee, teacher, and trooper pension plans is not going to be part of any plan presented to the legislature in 2022. Labor representatives continue to voice their anger about the decision, and concerned VSEA members and retirees are urged to attend the meeting in a show of support for labor and a new, designated revenue source.
State Pension Task Force Meeting Thursday, December 9, 2021 New Location: Pavilion Building 109 State Street Lecture Hall Montpelier 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
If you’ll be attending in person, please let VSEA know by contacting VSEA Organizer Giovanna Zaccaria at GZaccaria@vsea.org. Thanks in advance!
This meeting will also be available to view online, via YouTube, but, again, if you can attend in person, you are urged to do so.
AHS Secretary Mike Smith announced yesterday that he is leaving state service, prompting this quote from VSEA Executive Director in a VtDigger story about Smith’s departure:
“[VSEA is] hoping that, when the governor chooses his replacement, he’ll find somebody who has more human services experience and find someone who sees state employees as valuable assets — not just numbers in the machine.”
With all the issues currently adversely impacting frontline Corrections, Health Department, Department for Children and Families, Labor Department workers and employees in other agencies and departments, Howard’s request would seem fair and in Vermont’s best interest.
For now, the governor has appointed Deputy Human Services Secretary Jenney Samuelson as interim secretary.
