The Maryland General Assembly’s Legislative Session convened on January 12, 2011 and will adjourn on April 11, 2011. MCEA’s legislative team is actively lobbying legislators to negotiate on your behalf and to protect the welfare of public employees and retirees. MCEA will continue to monitor any bills that affect state workers and will fight to support state employees. We are also strongly involved in supporting our retiree members and testifying in opposition to certain health care and pension bills. MCEA is striving for minimal changes to existing health benefit plans. Call and e-mail your legislators and voice your concerns regarding your health care benefits, retirement, and pension. Take an active stance this year and help us testify in Annapolis. MCEA needs everyone’s help this year to fight for justice. For more information, please visit our website at www.mcea.org. To keep abreast of legislative action, access the Maryland General Assembly’s website at www.mlis.state.md.us. For legislation indexed for State employees, please visit www.mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/subjects/statee.htm.

The Public Employees' and Retirees' Health Benefit Sustainability Commission has been established in 2010 to discuss and implement new possible solutions regarding the retirees' and public employees' health benefits and retirement/pension plans. The commission's recommendations addressed four main areas that were examined at the seven meetings it held during the 2010 interim, which are:

1. Health benefits for State employees and retirees;

2. Projected State liabilities for retiree health benefits;

3. Pension benefits for State employees and teachers; and

4. The distribution of the employer contribution toward pension benefits for employees of the school boards, community colleges, and library boards who are members of the combined teachers’ pension and retirement system.

The Commission is meeting during the 2011 Legislative Session to introduce their report, and a final report is being extended until October 2011. Casper R. Taylor is the Chairman of this Commission, and the Commission members are comprised of Senators Edward J. Kasemeyer, Verna L. Jones-Rodwell, and Nathaniel J. McFadden, and Delegates Norman H. Conway and Melony G. Griffith, along with Mr. Karl S. Aro and Mr. Warren G. Deschenaux. MCEA is continuing to monitor this area of concern for all retirees and state employees.

MCEA's 2010 Convention Results