April 6, 2008

Dear Colleagues,
Representatives are currently finalizing the House Budget and making important decisions about revenues and spending priorities that will affect our communities and our classrooms. Given that a $1.3 billion structural budget deficit exists and that Massachusetts is required by law to balance its budget, legislators must find new revenue sources, draw from the "rainy day" fund, or make cuts to discretionary spending statewide. In Massachusetts, that which is labeled "discretionary" funding includes monies allocated for education, human services, healthcare, and other needed services and programs.
REVENUE SHORTAGES MEAN SPENDING CUTS:
In the last seven years a key modus operandi in budget-making decisions has been to rely heavily on stabilization funds and cut or level-fund discretionary programs and services statewide. But current revenues are stagnant, on the decline, and/or insufficient to meet state funding needs, and the stabilization fund is not being replenished at any consistent rate, if at all.
If more revenues are not forthcoming through increased taxation, fees, or new revenue sources, more cuts will be applied to public education, human services, the environment, health care, safety nets for employees, and other needed services across the state. And all discretionary sectors will be forced to compete with each other for an even smaller piece of the state's shrinking economic pie.
NEW REVENUES ARE NEEDED:
As the House finalizes its plan for a balanced budget, a variety of revenue proposals are been considered.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
TALKING POINTS and DETAILS:
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE: CONTACT REPS. on MONDAY, APRIL 7

Thank you for your support on this important revenue issue. We all know the state's Public Higher Education system and other community programs and services cannot afford any more cuts. Speak out now to protect our colleges, our students, and our professional lives.

In solidarity,

Donnie McGee

Diana (Donnie) McGee
MCCC Vice President & SAC Chair

Email: Contact the Vice President


March 14, 2008

For statewide distribution:
 
Dear Colleagues,
 
Thank you all for your recent phone calls, emails, and personal notes to our State Representatives. Hopefully, we will prevail in our efforts to get the House to preserve the current rates for health insurance contributions for state employees. Your contacts have made a huge difference. More than half a dozen Representatives or their aides have told me outright that they have been flooded with calls or emails from constituents on this fight. Several have told me that community college voices, in particular, have been very vocal on this. The momentum over these past two weeks on this fight is obvious.Thank you for your political action.
 
As you can see from the current attachment, at least a hundred state representatives are committed to opposing these increases. Note I have added newly-committed representatives to a separate list that I created from SAC work at the State House over the past week. I am cautiously optimistic that we will hold the line on current rates, but please read on to better understand the following:
 
MCCC's SAC Team Activity:
What happens next:
What you can do:
Representative __________________________
State House, Room_____________
Boston, MA 02133
THANKS to you and your chapter leaders:
A sincere thank you to all of you,your chapter leaders, and the MCCC Strategic Action Committee statewide. Special thanks to Brooks Smith for his tireless efforts and political savvy at the State House and to SAC steering team members, Roberta Albano and Carole Dupont for their local and statewide work. Thanks to Middlesex Chapter President David Kalivas, whose eloquence, passion, and commitment to this fight locally and at the State House have been most impressive. Thanks to MCCC President Joe LeBlanc who has refused to let any of us sleep - including"his" Vice President, given the importance of this issue.
 
I wish you a relaxing spring break and hope that all of you can do something that is nurturing, fun, and far away from the treadmill that we too often find ourselves on.
 
In solidarity,
Donnie McGee

Diana (Donnie) McGee
MCCC Vice President & SAC Chair
Email:  



February 6, 2008

Dear Colleagues,
 
Welcome back to another semester. It is a challenging time for our union and our community colleges, so it is important that each of us takes part in appropriate strategic action. Please note the initiatives summarized below and get involved if these issues are important to you.
 
Preserving health insurance contribution rates:
The Governor's current budget increases state employees' premiums for health insurance by 67 percent. This proposal would seriously impact the salaries of MCCC faculty and professional staff. Such increases would wipe out our negotiated raises for the next fiscal year at a time when inflation has already eroded salaries. The House is now drafting their own budget for the coming year. If you are concerned about the impact this will have on your salary, contact your Representative by mail, by phone, and/or by email. Explain how this affects you and ask him/her to oppose these increases.
Super Tuesday:
Tomorrow, Feb. 5, the voting booths will be open across this Commonwealth and in 23 other states across the country. The main focus will be on selecting presidential candidates for the November 2008 election, but others vying for vacant seats in offices across the state will be on the ballot in some cities and towns. Please vote and urge your students to do the same. If they are not registered, tell them now is the time to do so. Then they will be ready to vote in the fall. It is important that each of us and our students participate in democracy.
 
COLA - Attend MTA's LOBBY DAY or join the virtual lobby:
The current cost of living increases for state retirees in Massachusetts are computed on a base of $12,000. MTA supports Senate Bill 2234 and urges that each of us support this bill as well. This bill would increase, by increments, the COLA base for state pensions, so it would eventually equal $26,000, the current COLA base for people in private-sector work under Social Security. If you are considering retiring in the next 5 to 10 years, the passage of this bill could make an important difference in your life. In order to highlight the importance of this initiative to legislators, MTA urges members to get involved with this lobbying effort:
PHENOM - Valentine's Day at the State House:
GPO/WEP News:
Adjunct Health Insurance:
Senate Bill 1587, a bill that would provide adjuncts teaching four or more courses per year in the state's public higher education system, has been forwarded to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means with a favorable recommendation. Please contact your Senator and ask him/her to support this bill. Ask Senators in support of this initiative to contact Senator Steven Panagiotakos, chair of this committee. Your letters to your Senator, this Chair, and other members of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means will help to communicate the importance of this bill for adjunct faculty.
Statewide Meetings:
Thank you all for the work you are engaged in everyday on our campuses. Your teaching, counseling, and advising is key to preserving the integrity of our colleges and our service to students. But it is also imperative that we safeguard our professional lives, the integrity of our academic programs, and our mission to students through political action. I look forward to working with you to support these important initiatives.
 
In solidarity,
Donnie McGee

Diana (Donnie) McGee
MCCC Vice President & SAC Chair
Email: