On 1/27/16 Mike Andrew took part in the Retirees Advisory Council conference call. This meeting was one of four RAC meetings held during the year, with each of the State's retiree council's represented.
Among the subjects discussed were a number of Medicare reimbursement issues that have come up since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
There was continued concern expressed as to the dangers of a constitutional convention. The dominant theme of these conversations was a feeling that nothing good can come from opening up the New York State Constitution. Our pensions and health care would be open to attack by those that feel that we have benefitted to much from the protections provided in the present Constitution.
"A Bridge to Retirement" is the name of a informational workbook that has been developed by a subcommittee of the RAC and is working its way through the editing process prior to becoming available to all present and prospective retirees. This will provide information, direction and solutions regarding many of the problems a future or present retiree may face.
In some parts of the state it appears that substitute teachers are in great demand as college students are not graduating with education degrees, district are hiring again and the compensation offered is low at best. A result of this combination is that more and more districts are allowing non-certified substitutes into the classroom. This is a concern of our group.
All in all it was a short conference call and the committee will meet face to face in June.