Welcome_To_Our_New_Website092537.htm
Thank you for using the website!
If you are not a member and would like a membership package to review please call: Membership Chairman Mike Morano at 845-528-5478 or call 914-961-3800 and leave your name & address. Please speak slow & clearly when leaving your information. Thank you!!!
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The Executive Board of the NYPFRA would like to thank you for using our new website. The one thing that you can help us out with, is to please pass the word or send an email to your retired or active friends from the job to please sign on or join our ranks. In our newsletter we will be asking each member to log on and use the site.
The website will allow us to have instant contact with our members especially when legislation starts moving in the state legislature. Important retiree issues can be listed under member resources along with the links to other related areas. News concerns will be posted as we receive them. Again your support is greatly appreciated and please pass the word and emails about the website.
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Eye on NY: New coalition to focus on state constitutional reform
Robert Harding | Posted: Sunday, February 5, 2012 3:05 am
What do you get when you cross a former Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, the current Assembly Republican leader and a college professor?
A coalition of opposites, of course.
Dr. Gerald Benjamin, Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb and Bill Samuels joined together to form the Citizens’ Committee for an Effective Constitution. The group will focus on state constitutional reform and debate about state constitutional issues, with the goal of making New York state government more effective.
Kolb and Samuels called it a “coalition of opposites” because of their political affiliations. (Kolb is a Republican assemblyman and Samuels has provided financial support to Democrats in the past and ran for lieutenant governor in 2010.)
“This sends a clear message that people might have opposite political views, but have mutual interest when it comes to where we can agree on how to make New York state government better,” Kolb said in an interview.
For Samuels, teaming up with Kolb was a no-brainer. He read about Kolb’s town hall meetings discussing a state constitutional convention -- and his support for reforming state government -- and decided to reach out.
“Brian’s been fantastic to work with. We want to get something done,” he said in a phone interview. “Reformers are both Republicans and Democrats. If we spend some time talking, we’ll come up with some good ideas.”
A key part of the group’s launch is a website, Effectiveny.org, which features articles covering a variety of topics. Some of the topics include: Campaign finance, casino gambling, redistricting and unfunded mandates. Samuels said various views on issues will be found on the website.
“You will see different opinions. That’s healthy. That’s what we want,” he said.
The name of the coalition comes from a group founded in Canandaigua in 1965 by Samuels’ father, Howard.
That Citizens’ Committee was founded two years before the constitutional convention was held in Albany in 1967 and had similar goals:
To have a bipartisan debate about constitutional issues and inform the public. The convention that year lasted four months, and the proposed constitutional changes went before the voters in Nov. 1967. Voters rejected the proposals.
Benjamin, associate vice president for regional engagement and director of the Center for Research, Regional Education and Outreach at SUNY New Paltz, has been involved in efforts to reform state government, and has written several publications about New York state government. He sees the committee as a bottom-up approach to educating the public about state constitutional issues, which is important for New York state residents, he said.
“These are not remote and inconsequential matters,” he said. “This has an impact on their daily lives.”
The committee is also sponsoring a $1,000 scholarship essay contest. Law students are invited to participate, and the competition will focus on state constitutional issues. More details are available on the coalition’s website.
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White Plains Wins 1st Battle Over Police Retiree Benefits!
WHITE PLAINS — City Hall has captured its first significant win in its highly litigated battle to alter its health care contributions. An arbitrator announced Wednesday that he was siding with the city in a dispute brought by the police union.
The union challenged legislation passed last year that required some police retirees to start paying 15 percent of their health premiums. "Anyone would feel that his decision is not the proper one," said Robert Riley, president of the Police Benevolent Association of the City of White Plains, "It's just an unjust ruling." He said he'd consult with the union's attorney to determine its next step, if any. Mayor Thomas Roach, who initially proposed the health care change, said he had no comment on the decision.
The legislation requires some retirees hired before 1995, as well as current and retired elected and appointed officials, to start paying 15 percent. Union workers hired during and after 1995 were contractually protected from the change.
The arbitration was among a bevy of legal actions taken by current and former city employees after the health care changes passed. Three pending arbitrations and five federal lawsuits, including one from the police union, are also in the works. Since May, the city has paid about $80,000 in legal fees to defend the legislation, but total savings from the health care change would be $500,000 annually, city officials say.
According to the 45-page arbitration decision, the police union argued that its retirees have been given 100 percent health care coverage for decades and so the city could not change those past practices unilaterally. It also said the coverage level was contractually protected.
The city argued that the 100 percent coverage was never mentioned in any contracts with the union. Because it was not obligated to pay 100 percent, it could change the contribution level if it wanted. The city did not dispute that 100 percent was paid for decades. The arbitrator, Arthur Riegel, agreed with the city's claims and wholly denied the union's grievance.
The following was an emailed received by WPPBA President:
"Today we received Arbitrator Riegel’s decision concerning health insurance where he ruled against the PBA. Riegel concludes that members hired prior to July 1, 1995 who retire will have to contribute 15% of their health insurance premium in retirement effective when a new collective bargaining agreement is negotiated. The Arbitrator’s decision ignored the PBA’s strong case which included testimony of two former mayors, two former PBA presidents, the former deputy commissioner of public safety, and a former Common Council member. Further, the Arbitrator’s decision ignores relevant case law which the PBA highlighted during the hearing and later in its closing brief. Riegel relied heavily on prior contracts in effect since the late 1960’s through the early 1990’s in arriving at his decision. For these reasons the PBA is now considering what alternatives are available to it. The PBA will be considering potential grounds for appeal, along with the pending federal litigation with legal counsel, and will further explore additional options at the bargaining table. As always we will keep you informed."
Robert T. Riley, President
White Plains Police Benevolent Association
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Just (1-29-11) received information from one of our members that his state pension check was less than usual after checking with the OSC (office of the state comptroller) at the following address http://www.osc.state.ny.us/retire/retirees/tax_implications.php the information is below. Please pass the word.
Tax Implications for 2011
Due to the recently passed Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010, the IRS has released new federal income tax withholding tables for use during 2011.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Making Work Pay Credit) which became effective on April 1, 2009 expired as of December 31, 2010. As a result, this credit is no longer reflected in the new 2011 federal income tax withholding tables.
These recent changes may result in an increase in your monthly federal income tax withholding. This change has no effect on New York State taxes.
Visit the IRS’ website for additional information relating to the recent law changes.
You can change the amount withheld from your pension payment at any time by filing a new W-4P Form . Since each individual’s financial situation is unique, we strongly suggest you contact a trusted tax advisor or accountant familiar with your personal situation for questions regarding withholding amounts.
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Under Pension News Articles in the menu options there are two new very scary articles. Let the States Go Bankrupt & To Save the States. This issue is beginning to gain ground with federal legislators. We will keep you updated on these and other related issues.
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Please note: In the main Menu under News Concerns and Pension & Health Ins. News Articles there are several links to many articles that have been in the NY papers. Their content may appear to be related to NYC but there impact will be felt across the state as other municipalities start to do comparisons in the same way within their own police and firefighter ranks. Be extremely thankful that the NYS Constitution prohibits pensions from being diminished. This is an issue we have fought to keep in place over the years when the NYS Constitutional Convention issues arise. The health insurance issue will continued to be attacked.
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Our next meeting is on Monday, March 5, 2012 the Homefield House, 911 Saw Mill River Road, Yonkers at 7:31 pm. *******************************************************************************************************************
Special Note: Medicare: You Must Enroll
NYSHIP requires you and your dependents to be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B when first eligible You/your dependents must be enrolled when first eligible even if also covered through another employer's group plan.
You must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and entitled to receive Medicare benefits by the first day of the month in which you reach 65, or before age 65 if you are disabled or have end stage renal disease.
As soon as you become eligible for Medicare, your NYSHIP coverage will pay secondary to Medicare or are in a waiting period for Medicare to go into effect. Plan benefits may change.
If you are not enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B when you are first eligible to enroll, you will be responsible for the full cost of medical services that Medicare would have covered.
This information was taken directly from the Medicare Handbook!!!!
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Detective Michael Perry Memorial Highway
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed a law that designates a portion of State Route 119 in White Plains as the Detective Michael Perry Memorial Highway.
Assemblyman Robert J. Castelli, author of the measure, is a 22-year veteran of the New York State Police and served as one of the first Crime Prevention Specialists in the State. The measure takes effect immediately as Chapter 266 of 2011. “I thank both Governor Cuomo and Senator Ball, my Senate cosponsor of this legislation, for honoring Detective Michael Perry in this meaningful way,” he said.
“Each day, brave men and women like Michael Perry go to work not knowing if they’ll return home,” said Senator Greg Ball, who is the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs. “Dedicating this highway to Michael is the least we can do to honor his memory and thank his family for their sacrifice,” added Chairman Ball.
“I am gratified that our Governor has seen fit to honor Detective Perry along with myself and all of those who respect both his service, and sacrifice,” Castelli said. “It is a small testament to a brave man’s actions, and is indicative of the kind of courage displayed by police officers every day in our society. Sadly, his courageous efforts on that day had a tragic ending, but do not diminish the legacy he left us, of a lifetime of dedication to public service.”
A resident of Yorktown, Officer Perry had served with the White Plains Police Department for seven years and previously with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Police. He is survived by his wife, twin sons, parents, sister, and brother. On June 14, 2010, Officer Perry was posthumously promoted to the rank of Police Detective.
Perry suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after chasing and arresting a man at a local mall near State Route 119. He had called for assistance and chased the larceny suspect a short distance before placing him into custody. The suspect, who was a career criminal with over 300 arrests, was charged with resisting arrest and larceny.
The route, from the intersection of Route 119 and Route 100 by the Westchester County Center, continuing to the intersection of Route 119 and Main Street, will be dedicated during a ceremony some time later this year.
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National Rifle Association
·11250 Waples Mill Road · Fairfax, Virginia 22030 ·800-392-8683
Legislation U.S. House Passes NRA-backed National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed an important self-defense measure that would enable millions of Right-to-Carry permit holders across the country to carry concealed firearms while traveling outside their home states. H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, passed by a majority bipartisan vote of 272 to 154. All amendments aimed to weaken or damage the integrity of this bill were defeated.
“NRA has made the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act a priority because it enhances the fundamental right to self-defense guaranteed to all law-abiding people,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “People are not immune from crime when they cross state lines. That is why it is vital for them to be able to defend themselves and their loved ones should the need arise.”
H.R. 822, introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), allows any person with a valid state-issued concealed firearm permit to carry a concealed firearm in any state that issues concealed firearm permits, or that does not prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms for lawful purposes.
This bill does not affect existing state laws. State laws governing where concealed firearms may be carried would apply within each state’s borders. H.R. 822 does not create a federal licensing system or impose federal standards on state permits; rather, it requires the states to recognize each others' carry permits, just as they recognize drivers' licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards.
As of today, 49 states have laws in place that permit their citizens to carry a concealed firearm in some form. Only Illinois and the District of Columbia deny its residents the right to carry concealed firearms outside their homes or businesses for self-defense.
“We are grateful for the support of Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader Cantor, Majority Whip McCarthy, Judiciary Chairman Smith and primary sponsors Congressmen Stearns and Shuler for their steadfast support of H.R. 822. Thanks to the persistence of millions of American gun owners and NRA members, Congress has moved one step closer to improving crucial self-defense laws in this country,” concluded Cox.
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