Federal Legislative Update
September 2008

September 25, 2008
September 19, 2008
September 12, 2008

09/25/08

News From Capitol Hill ...

Tell Congress: Help Main Street, Not Just Wall Street!

Congress is considering options for addressing the serious economic crisis and the collapse of Wall Street. But, while Congress focuses on bailing out financial institutions, families across the nation are losing their homes, and finding it increasingly harder to buy even basic necessities such as food and fuel. At the same time, a majority of states are facing significant budget deficits and will likely cut funding for education, health care, and other priorities.

Congress must not leave Washington, DC without passing an economic stimulus package that helps working families and gives relief to states facing fiscal crises.

Key ingredients in this package are:

• Help for families, including increasing nutrition assistance and extending unemployment benefits.
  
  
• Help for states, including a temporary increase in the federal Medicaid match, and job creation through investments in infrastructure (such as school construction).

Contact your Representatives in Congress Today!
Tell Congress to pass a stimulus package that helps working families!

09/19/08

News From Capitol Hill ...

Tell Congress: Act Now on Economic Recovery

Congress needs to take immediate action on economic recovery. Unemployment rates continue to rise, financial markets are unstable, states facing budget crises are cutting funding for essential services including education, and working families are feeling the squeeze of escalating prices for basic necessities.

Congress is scheduled to adjourn within the next few weeks. Don't let Congress leave Washington without providing fiscal relief for states, helping low-income families and the unemployed, maintaining needed public services, and boosting the economy. Congress should also pass a temporary increase in the federal matching rate for Medicaid, as well as providing additional funds for infrastructure investments such as school construction.

Contact your Representatives in Congress Today!
Tell Congress to pass an economic recovery bill now!

You can also contact your Representatives toll free by calling 1-888-245-0215.

09/12/08

News From Capitol Hill ...

National Democratic Platform Calls for Repeal of Social Security Offsets!

The 2008 Democratic National Platform includes language calling for the elimination of Social Security offsets. NEA leaders and staff served on the platform committee and were able to push the committee to include in the platform language reading,

"We will end the penalty within the current Social Security system for public service that exists in several states."

Inclusion of this language in the platform is a major victory for NEA and all those pushing to repeal these unfair offsets. Ultimate victory in reaching our goal will depend on the election of a President and Congress committed to supporting public education and protecting retirement security for public employees.

NEA also submitted comments to the Republican drafting committee that included a call for GPO/WEP repeal.

Contact your Representatives in Congress.
Tell Congress that those who have dedicated their lives to public service deserve better! Act now to repeal GPO/WEP.