|
Press Room | ||
November 5, 2009National/PoliticalHouse Prepares to Vote on Health Care, Undaunted by Elections House Democratic leaders, undeterred by delays in the Senate or this week’s Republican electoral triumphs, plan to call a vote Saturday on the most sweeping overhaul of U.S. health-care policy in four decades. AP Sources: AARP to endorse House health care bill Officials are telling The Associated Press that AARP -- the seniors' lobby -- will endorse the health care overhaul bill that House Democrats are preparing to take to the floor. Officials with knowledge of the group's decision told The Associate Press on Wednesday that the senior's lobby has decided to give the $1.2 trillion measure its seal of approval. An announcement is expected Thursday. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement has not been made. Unions urge Congress to vote for health-care reform A number of local and national unions are urging members of Congress to vote for the latest health-care package, saying it's the best option for working families. A floor vote on the 10-year, $1.2 trillion Affordable Health-Care for America Act in the House of Representatives could come as early as this weekend. A report released Wednesday by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees highlighted numbers from Wisconsin the group says indicate a need for immediate changes in the health-care system. AFSCME pushes Democrats to support health care reform Illinois' largest employee union Wednesday tried to put pressure on Democrats to vote for a health care reform plan in Congress. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees singled out U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello of Belleville and other Illinois Democrats. On Wednesday, Democrat U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson of Crete announced she would support the plan. Related from MyWebTimes: Halvorson announces support for massive health care bill Union rallies for health care reform Members of a labor union rallied Wednesday in front of the Fayetteville federal building in support of Congress' latest health care reform bill. The group, organized by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, also planned to visit the Fayetteville offices of U.S. Reps. Mike McIntyre, Larry Kissell and Bob Etheridge. Related from EMaxHealth: Group Says NC Eager For Health Insurance Reform House Health Care Vote: In WA, Who's on Board? Today is a "Day of Action" for union members around the country to push for U.S. House approval of HR 3962, the "Affordable Health Care for America Act." The House version of health care reform may come up for a vote as early as Friday. A spokesman for the Washington Federation of State Employees says he is not getting clear signals from Washington representatives Brian Baird or Adam Smith. Greg Deveraux, executive director of the Federation, wants them to make their minds up. Groups Lobby for and Against Health Reform Interest groups and activists are pleading their cases to members of Congress – and the news media -- as a vote looms in the U.S. House of Representatives on health care reform. .. Also among those making the case Wednesday for House Resolution 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, was Tom Connelly, president of Local 2026 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees/United Nurses of America. Forum Health Inc., which operates Trumbull Memorial, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy “because we can’t afford the heavy burden” of providing care to the uninsured and underinsured, Connelly said during a conference call with reporters sponsored by AFSCME. Health-Care Reform's Hidden Taxes / Why a lot of health reform's costs could be borne by the middle class, despite Obama's pledges .. The insurers, though, likely will cut benefits or raise premiums as a result. That point hasn't escaped union leaders, who oppose the proposal because it would target many of their members, who have negotiated generous health benefits. Richard L. Trumka, the head of the AFL-CIO, argues that roughly 15% of insured families and 19% of individuals—most solidly middle-class—have plans that would fall under the new tax. For many members, he says, the result would be higher medical costs. "What [they are] actually saying is that cost of covering the uninsured should be borne by the middle class," Trumka says. CBO scores GOP healthcare alternative House Republicans' healthcare alternative would reduce the federal deficit by almost $70 billion over the next 10 years -- but the proposal would only offer insurance to an additional 3 million Americans, according to a cost analysis of the bill. The numbers released Wednesday night spell mixed news for Republicans, who touted their amendment -- expected to cost about $61 billion over 10 years-- as more effective than the trillion-dollar bill House Democrats introduced last week. Magazine Preview: Dick Armey Is Back on the Attack ... When I asked Mark McKinnon, a political strategist and former consultant to George W. Bush, how he would explain Armey’s resurgence on the national stage, he replied: “Armey and FreedomWorks have been the invisible hand behind much of the recent conservative activism around the country. Armey understands that while the Republican brand has been damaged, most people in this country still lean center-right. And he taps into the innate fear most Americans have about government activism and overreach.”...... What about the millions of Americans, I asked, who have insurance but find that the rising premiums and deductibles are eating away at any financial gains they might otherwise make? “The largest empirical problem we have in health care today is too many people are too overinsured,” he said. Grover Norquist and Anti-Tax Movement Big Loser of the Night A lot of folks are declaring Obama -- who wasn't on the ballot -- the loser of the night based on two state elections, but the defeat of three anti-tax initiatives that were on the ballot in Washington State and Maine should emphasize that Grover Norquist and the anti-tax movement were big losers of the night -- and this just continues a multi-year roll of defeats. Democrats Confront Coalition Strains ... Exit polls from Virginia and New Jersey indicated that Republicans won over voters concerned about pocketbook issues: jobs, the economy and taxes. Voters who identified themselves as independents were critical in both states. .. Republicans took advantage of energized conservative activists -- including some organized under the "tea party" antitax banner that makes some GOP leaders uncomfortable. Report: 11 states emerging from recession As the national economy starts its slow recovery, 11 states and the District of Columbia are showing signs of emerging from the recession, according to a new report...Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Washington, D.C., are in recovery, according to Moody’s Economy.com, an economic forecasting firm. It determines where a state is in the recession based on employment rates, home prices, residential construction and manufacturing production figures. Some or all of these indicators were stable or improving in these states. Jobless claims fall to 10-month low; productivity soars The number of workers filing new claims for jobless insurance fell more than expected last week to a 10-month low, government data showed Thursday, pointing to a gradual improvement in the labor market. Labor unions battle over rule change Business groups and unions are battling over a decision by a federal board that eases the rules for employees at airlines and railways to form unions. Nation Is Facing Vaccine Shortage for Seasonal Flu Even though the regular flu season has yet to start, the nation is facing a severe shortage of seasonal flu vaccine as well as swine flu vaccine. Federal officials and independent flu experts have said the situation was unavoidable, given that the global swine flu pandemic had raised demand for all flu shots far beyond what manufacturers can make in a year. House to act on domestic partnership Legislation that would provide benefits to domestic partners of federal employees will soon be marked up by a House committee and could hit the floor by the end of 2009. J.P. Morgan Settles Alabama Bribery Case J. P. Morgan Securities will forfeit hundreds of millions of dollars in fees on derivatives contracts that it sold an Alabama county, under a settlement announced Wednesday that could offer hope to other governments staggering under similar deals. Schapiro: SEC to target proxy voting accuracy The SEC's review of the corporate proxy process includes an examination of the accuracy of proxy voting tabulations, Chairwoman Mary Schapiro said today. Related:
Big Bonuses Are Back for Many on Street Incentive pay on Wall Street is set to rise by about 40% as stronger financial markets collide with the political backlash over bonuses, according to a closely watched survey set to be released Thursday. Johnson Associates, a compensation consulting firm in New York, projects that the biggest increases in year-end cash bonuses and equity awards will go to employees in rebounding businesses such as fixed income and equities. Those incentive-based payouts likely will surge by as much as 60% from last year, the survey found. State/LocalJudge orders Detroit to resume collecting AFSCME union dues Detroit -- Wayne County Judge Amy Hathaway has temporarily ordered the city to resume collecting union dues from about 4,500 AFSCME employees after Mayor Dave Bing canceled that provision of the contract last month. She has also ordered the union and the city to enter "expedited arbitration" within 30 days to try to settle the dispute. Council 25 news release: Wayne County Circuit Court Orders Mayor Bing to Honor AFSCME Contract Michigan caseworkers afraid for lives due to delays in state aid Lansing -- State social workers struggling with mounting welfare, food stamp and Medicaid caseloads said today they fear for their lives after being assaulted or threatened by recipients frustrated by delays in state aid. Employees of the Department of Human Services said at a legislative hearing that they are overwhelmed with bulging caseloads, and people seeking help are taking out their frustration on innocent workers. The employees said local DHS offices are packed because there are not enough workers to deal with the influx of cases as Michigan's unemployment rises. Philadelphia Corrections Officers Win Arbitration Ruling “We knew that if we kept on fighting, we would win,” says Lorenzo North, a corrections officer and president of Local 159 (Pennsylvania District Council 33). North and the nearly 2,000 corrections officers in the City of Philadelphia recently got another boost when the Commonwealth Court ruled that the COs are entitled to reach new agreements through an arbitration process. Ruling on asbestos report favors Stout The state Department of Commerce has rescinded a report ordering UW-Stout to correct 51 occupational safety and health violations identified in an investigation prompted by employee asbestos-related complaints. ... While university officials felt the timetable was unreasonable, John Gast, a custodian at the university and president of the Wisconsin State Employees Union, Local 383, said they should have taken steps to ensure employees' safety to begin with. "This report is 110 percent accurate," Gast said Wednesday. "This isn't the first time Stout has been cited." Union has plan to save Md. mental health facility A state employees union submitted a plan Wednesday to spare an Eastern Shore mental health facility from being closed due to budget cuts. .. Plan supporters include the Maryland chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees as well as the facility's board of trustees. They say the plan would consolidate services and could keep the Upper Shore Community Mental Health Center open with fewer employees and a $7 million budget, about $2 million less than the current budget. Prison officers reject contract Oregon corrections officers have voted down a tentative contract with the state, balking at proposed pay cuts tied to unpaid furlough days, union officials said Wednesday. The 1,700-member Security Unit of Oregon AFSCME killed the proposed contract with 60 percent voting against, said Tim Woolery, the union's corrections coordinator. Calif. voters have final say over $11B water bond Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders say their $11.1 billion water bond is an essential investment for California's future, but it may be a hard sell to voters. ... Willie Pelote Sr., a lobbyist with the California branch of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said taxpayers shouldn't have to foot the bill for a bond that benefits farmers and Southern California cities. It's absolutely wrong and irresponsible," Pelote said. Merced County sees retirement plan as win-win Merced County will offer voluntary retirement plans to about 300 employees in an effort to reduce ongoing expenditures and avoid future forced layoffs. .. "We're pleased that this was approved by the board," said Kristy Waskiewicz, of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees local 2703, which represents most county employees. "We think it is a win-win situation." State Begins Arbitration With UPW The state begins binding arbitration Wednesday with some of the United Public Workers. UPW and the union representing the university professors still have not settled their contracts with the state. Wednesday's talks are with UPW's Unit 10. ... A key sticking point in the negotiations is the state's effort to halt soaring overtime in state prisons and other 24 hour facilities like state hospitals and the youth correctional facility. State government pay plan vote delayed The Civil Service Commission delayed action Wednesday morning on a proposal that would end 4 percent annual pay raises for nearly 61,000 classified state government employees. NM Court Nixes Lawsuit to Higher Pension Payments The state can continue collecting higher pension contributions from part-time government workers earning less than $20,000 a year, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. The court unanimously rejected a legal challenge to part of a pension contribution change that's helping the state save more than $40 million a year to plug a budget shortfall. Workers Join AFSCME, Machinists and IUE-CWA in Recent Campaigns Some 2,600 family child care providers in New Mexico recently voted to join Child Care Providers Together (CCPT)/New Mexico, an AFSCME affiliate. Labor Notes Joins Public Sector Workers in Chicago Before the trick or treating began last Saturday in Chicago, 65 labor activists met at the United Electrical Workers hall to tackle the “zombie economics” of the free market, which has put the Illinois budget on its back. Labor Notes, two AFSCME locals, and an insurgent teacher reform caucus opened a day-long forum to examine the scary roots of the public sector squeeze, and rally for rank-and-file strategies to overcome it. S-W to restore some programs, services ... But when final unofficial results -- with all precincts reporting -- were released at 9:35 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 4, by the Franklin County Board of elections the levy had been approved by a 50.5 percent (19,591 votes) to 49.5 percent (19,178) margin. ... SWAT campaigned on a platform that the district's financial situation is a cause of contracts negotiated for teachers and administrators through the South-Western Education Association, South-Western Administrators' Association and the Ohio Association of Public School Employees. Sheriff to cut 45 deputies if concessions not made Summit County plans to lay off 45 deputies next month unless unions agree to major concessions in salaries and benefits, Sheriff Drew Alexander said Wednesday. ... The sheriff also is seeking concessions, and to demote and reassign captains, lieutenants and sergeants in the supervisors' union. And the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union has been notified that its workers may face additional cuts. Embattled school aides gain judge’s favor A State Supreme Court judge last week ruled that hundreds of school aides targeted for layoff by the city’s Department of Education apparently have a case against the city. In the lawsuit against the city, Justice Edmead ruled that the plaintiffs have “established a likelihood of success” in their suit to stop the layoffs. State Supreme Court Judge Carol Edmead concluded on Tuesday, Oct 27, that the embatled aides represented by their union, Local 372 of District Council 37, AFSCME are likely to succeed with their claim that the layoffs and the subsequent replacement of the school aides with non-Civil Service employees would violate the merit and fitness clause of the New York State Constitution, New York State Education Law and the Chancellor’s Regulations. Town dispatchers here to stay / Riverhead voters reject proposed shift to county services By a more than two-thirds majority, Riverhead voters said no to Proposition Four, and, in turn, said yes to the town's dispatchers on Election Day. A yes vote on the townwide referendum would have dissolved the town's police dispatching service, with that function instead being handled by Suffolk County. ... The town Civil Service Employees Association, the union representing the dispatchers, endorsed all the Republican Town Board candidates, even though Mr. Cardinale was the only Democratic Town Board candidate to not publicly oppose shifting dispatching to the county. Orchard Park unions ready to talk Orchard Park union employees told Town Board members during the annual budget hearing Wednesday night they are ready to negotiate in good faith. .. “I have seen the Highway Department perform its duties for at least 35 years with virtually no increase in the number of employees,” said Anthony C. Delmonte, president of the Orchard Park Blue-Collar Unit, Civil Service Employees Association. School superintendent's claim of no pay hikes disputed / Administrators got extra vacation days ... "After all the heat and ridicule the teachers, the teachers assistants and the Civil Service Employees Association took this past year for supposedly not wanting to negotiate a giveback as the [Riverhead] Administrators Association did, those same district office administrators took back and added to the 2.5 percent raise that they claimed to have refused," said Ms. Lantz, who ran unsuccessfully for a school board seat in May. Nebraskans eager to trim budget ... The state employee who questioned why the restrooms at the State Office Building in Lincoln needed to be cleaned three times a day had a good idea, Nordquist said, as did the 3,000 other Nebraskans from 350 communities who offered suggestions on his NebraskaBudget.com Web site.... Julie Dake Abel, executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, the largest state workers union, said layoffs and furloughs should be last-ditch solutions. She said that the state workforce is already “bare bones” and that cutting pay and eliminating jobs would intensify the joblessness already caused by the recession. Group considers privatizing worker's comp agency A legislative task force that is considering privatizing Oklahoma's workers compensation agency is preparing to make its final recommendations. Trapped dispatchers won't face discipline A Gary police official said Wednesday there are no plans to discipline operators who found themselves trapped in the radio room at the public safety building this week, and adjustments are being made to keep such an incident from happening again. .. Lee said a supervisor hung up on the operators when they called for help. With no key to the back door, Lee said, they called the Gary Fire Department and asked them to do whatever it took to open the door. Willie Wallace, president of AFSCME Local 3491, said he was satisfied with the city's response. Food stamp workers share frustrations When the new head of the agency responsible for the state's backlogged food stamp applications sent an e-mail to employees asking for feedback about the agency, he got it. About 500 state workers replied to Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Tom Suehs, telling him about low morale and low pay, poor management, technology problems, insufficient training, long hours away from their families. They wrote about feeling frazzled, crying on the drive to work and actively looking for other jobs. The Leading Advocate for State Employees Keeping Pressure On BCBSNC The State Employee Association of North Carolina is fighting back against what they say is an all out attack by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina to keep what the Associations calls a monopoly on the health insurance market in our state. The head of SEANC says it all about competition. Panel proposes letting voters amend Colorado constitution to ease budget woes A panel looking at the state's long-term budget problems recommended legislation on Wednesday to give voters the chance to overhaul the state constitution in 2012. The proposal would create a new, one-time method to amend the state constitution, allowing voters to consider recommendations made by a special "fiscal policy constitutional commission" of 19 citizens. |
 |
||
.gif)
