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Legislative Update from MAPE Legislative Affairs Director Richard Kolodziejski
February 10, 2010

The six strongest and most promising ideas will be rolled into redesign legislation called the 'Citizen's Redesign Bill' that will receive a hearing.

MAPE Contract Ratification Legislation
H.F. 2758 authored by Rep. Lillie and S.F. 2386 authored Sen. Metzen will ratify the negotiated state labor agreements including the current MAPE collective bargaining agreement.

MAPE Government Efficiencies
Bills have been introduced in the House (H.F. 2690 authored by Rep. Tony Sertich) and Senate(S.F. 2169 authored by Sen. Dick Cohen) to make MAPE suggested cuts to state government.  The legislation requires agencies to reduce contracts on outside vendors by at least the same percentage amount as the agency's unallotments, prevents agencies from increasing designated managerial positions during a time of deficit and prevents out of state travel not associated with the agencies statutory mission or state emergency preparedness or response.

GAMC Health Care Program
Bills are already moving through the legislature that would help create a temporary GAMC program to begin March 1. Under the proposals, services, co-payments and enrollment procedures currently in place would continue to be in place. Current eligibility requirements would also continue
The temporary program would be funded by a 10 percent county share for GAMC costs from March 1, 2010, to July 1, 2011.   Additional revenue would come from an increase in surcharges on hospitals, HMOs and community integrated service networks.

Bonding Bill and State Jobs
This year's bonding bill is heading for a floor vote on February 15th.  With both bodies proposing a significantly larger bonding bill than the Governor's $685 million at $1 billion, legislators hope to kick-start economic development across the state, improve and increase higher education investments, and improve the state's clean water infrastructure and transportation. The bill is designed to take advantage of as many federal and other non-state matches as possible.  To view the full proposals from the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Governor's office, or by visiting the Web site.

$1.2 Billion Budget Solution
With a looming $1.2 billion budget deficit, there is the likelihood that this session will approach the May deadline to find a solution.  The February forecast is not due out until March 2nd.  With high hopes, there is a real potential that a $1.2 billion deficit could actually become something more.  The Governor has already threatened legislative leadership with a veto of any bill that attempts to limit his interpretation of the unallotment power granted to the state's executive.

Early Retirement Incentive
The bill (Senate File 1679 and House File 1893) providing public employees, including retirement systems employees, a retirement incentive of up to 36 months of health insurance if you retire before July 15th, 2011  was left needing a full vote of the House of Representatives at the time of adjournment last session.  Under this legislation, the state would continue to pay the employer's share of the health and dental premium for the employee and the employee's dependents up to the determined amount of time.  As a result, this bill will be required to go back to conference committee and voted on by both legislative bodies. Current legislation allows for this incentive at the employer's discretion.

In Solidarity,

Richard Kolodziejski
MAPE Legislative Affairs Director