Weekly/Daily Legislative Report

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Charlie Roberts
March 27, 2011

     As we enter the last 7 days of this session, the most positive sign we have seen was the attitude of members of the General Assembly toward education and educational issues.  Bills that made the crossover are being given full consideration by the Senate Committees on the 3 non TRS Bills were given Do Pass by the Senate Retirement Committee on Wednesday.

     As I have reported to you, Dr. Sloan and I have been in daily contact on HB 385 since it did not make Crossover Day as written.  The $35,000 Senior Tax Exemption continues to be a topic of discussion and GREA remains firm in its position. (Our Legislative Committee considers it a permanent benefit, I continue to not discuss an alternative amount and Dr. Sloan has rejected efforts to reduce the exemption.) As expected, substitute legislation is being discussed that could go directly to the floor of the House and Senate for an Up or Down Vote.   This legislation would contain many subjects of concern and include jobs enhancement, tax changes,tax cuts any other complex monetary issues but would leave the Senior Tax Exemption at $35,000.

     The Retired Educators are not the only Senior Citizens concerned with the Tax Exemption and believe me there are a host of others that have been involved in this issue.  However, we have been front line fighters and I want to thank all who followed our suggestion last week and made personal contact with your local delegates.  Dr. Sloan has issued a Legislative Alert requesting all members to email or write their support for retaining the $35,000 Exemption as this will be a late in the session vote by the General Assembly.  (I personally think we’ll be on the 40th Day before Sine Die.)

                   Charlie

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