Pension Protection Coalition Press Conference: VETO HB1130/SB498

After the success that we had in pushing HB 576 back to committee, we ran into the major problem of what the House and Senate did in the closing hours of the 2012 General Assembly session to the Virginia Retirement System.

The VEA has been working closely with our partners in the Pension Protection Coalition—a group made up of Virginia firefighters, retired teachers, the AFL-CIO, the Commonwealth Institute—to sort through the implications of that sweeping and damaging “pension reform.”   

Below are snippets (posted to YouTube) by the leaders of the Pension Protection Coalition from the joint press conference held this past Thursday.  All of the Coalition members are sharing the same call to action: Contact the Governor and ask him to VETO Joint Conference Report HB1130/SB498.  Please call (804) 786-2211, and email via  http://www.governor.virginia.gov/AboutTheGovernor/contactGovernor.cfm today and everyday until the matter is resolved.

Dr. Kitty Boitnott, Virginia Education Association President 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4Y1BOUi28Q

Kitty Boitnott responds to a question about why citizens should care that public employees are being negatively impacted by this legislative change.

Jennifer McClellan, Virginia Delegate (House District 71) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XqcKgSojDo

Del. Jennifer McClellan highlights how the conference report of HB1130/SB498--dealing with significant changes to the pension system--was rushed to vote.

Michael Mohler, Virginia Professional Fire Fighters President 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cdrup849HAY

Michael Mohler speaks to the sacrifices that public employees have made in return for modest salaries and a modest pension.

Robley Jones, VEA Government Relations Director 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFJnJzcojko

Rob Jones clarifies that the conference bill the GA approved in the waning hours of session flies in the face of JLARC's recommendations in dealing with the VRS.

Michael Cassidy, Commonwealth Institute President and CEO 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP7pW0qQcnQ

Michael Cassidy addresses questions about the economic impact of drastically changing the VRS benefits structure, not just to retirees themselves, but to the larger economic framework of Virginia. 

Please call Governor McDonnell at (804) 786-2211, 

and ask him to VETO Joint Conference Report HB1130/SB498 

out of respect for Virginia's retired public servants.