Steve Monaghan delivers LFT's legislative message
LFT President Steve Monaghan is on the air across Louisiana with the Federation's message for the upcoming legislative session.
Town Hall meeting features AFT and LFT presidents
More than 100 Louisiana Federation of Teachers members from New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, East Baton Rouge and other Louisiana cities and parishes turned out for an AFT town hall meeting at a downtown New Orleans hotel on Feb. 12. The town hall gave the members, as well as parents, community activists and others, an opportunity to hear from AFT President Randi Weingarten and Steve Monaghan, president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, and to provide feedback on the Reclaiming the Promise program.
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE VOTES NOT TO CONFIRM HANNA SKANDERA AS EDUCATION SECRETARY
For Immediate Release Contact: AFT NM President Stephanie Ly
2/17/2014
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE VOTES NOT TO CONFIRM HANNA SKANDERA AS EDUCATION SECRETARY
Monday 2/17/14 - Senate Rules Committee to Vote on Whether or Not to Recommend Confirmation of Secretary-designate Skandera
Call and email members of the Senate Rules Committee today and tell them to VOTE NOT to recommend the confirmation of Secretary-designate Skandera. Our education system should be led by qualified and experienced educators who respect students, parents, educators and our communities. We need leadership that acts in the interest of students, not private companies!
Legislative update (2/14/14): Higher Education
Although this was officially Valentine's Week, we weren't feeling much love up here in Tallahassee. Legislators are once again starting their attack on the Florida Retirement System. This week a bill was filed in the Senate which would create what is called a "cash balance" plan (more below). Rumors indicate there are more FRS 'reform' bills to come. It seems that legislators just can't keep their hands off your retirement! The first hearing of the new bill is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19 in the Senate Community Affairs Committee at 2 p.m.
UFF-FSCJ Bargaining Update
Feb Newsletter
Write your legislators. State Employee Pensions AT RISK!
That’s right. Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley has submitted a budget that calls for reducing the state’s contribution to the pension plan by $100 million dollars a year.
That’s not fair! Click here to tell your legislators to vote against cutting the state's contribution to the pension fund.
Two years ago, that state required you to increase your contribution to the employee pension fund. In return, the legislature promised to contribute $300 million per year to that fund. Now, Governor O’Malley is breaking that promise. There are several problems with the governor’s proposal:
Regents Update
The Board of Regents met on Feb. 10th and were poised to vote on some course corrections. The vote was held on Feb 11th with regard to the rollout of Common Core, state tests and APPR. You can read the press release and the proposed changes here. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/regents-adjust-common-core-implementation.html