LEGISLATIVE REPORT – June 15, 2009. Ken Bowen
Its an honor and privilege to be elected 2nd VP for Legislation - plus its pretty exciting too. I’m looking forward to working with the other Federation Officers, the District VP’s, Chapter Presidents and Legislative Committee members. My belief is that in order to influence our members of Congress and their staff, we have to let them know our feelings (those of Federal employees and retirees) on issues and inform them regarding the impact of their action on our earned benefits. So lets get to work.

111th Congress Scorecard for the Colorado delegation:
Thru June 15, 2009:
One co-sponsor recorded for HR 1203 Premium Conversion – Rep. Ed Perlmutter.

     In the 110th Congress HR 1110 Premium Conversion was co-sponsored by:
     Rep. Lamborn, Rep. John Salazar, and Rep. DeGette.  None have signed on yet.     
     They need to be reminded of their “lapsed” status and urged to support us.

So far we have three co-sponsors recorded for HR 235 GPO/WEP elimination – Rep. John Salazar, Rep. DeGette and Rep. Polis.

In the Senate only Senator Mark Udall has co-sponsored S. 495 Premium Conversion

Neither Senator has co-sponsored S. 484 GPO/WEP repeal.

Tools: There are several “tools” available to learn about how to be an effective activist for NARFE members’ interests. Remember that we talking about YOUR interests too.

The most comprehensive and currently maintained tool is the NARFE website.
narfe.org is easily accessed by signing on with your last name and membership number.
The “homepage” highlights the “NEWS FROM NARFE” and most often are about “Legislation” issues. The meat of our Legislative program is found under the drop-down menu -“DEPARTMENT” and clicking on “Legislation”. When using the website do not be timid. There are many good links, roll your curser over the blue text and click away. Especially where it says “CLICK HERE” or “READ MORE”. Some important examples:

• Pay particular attention to “NARFE RAPID RESPONSE TEAM”, by clicking there you can register to receive Legislative Alerts via email.

• Under NARFE LEGISLATIVE ACTIVISTS: you may connect to important briefing pages, contact information and a brand new section called: “Congressional Town Hall Meetings”. I used that section to learn Rep. Ed Perlmutter would be in Wheat Ridge at a local Starbucks for “Coffee with Ed”. That Saturday morning I met Rep. Perlmutter and thanked him for co-sponsoring “Premium Conversion” and also invite him to the Chapter 1085 Summer picnic.

• The LEGISLATIVE ACTION CENTER “CLICK HERE” link will connect you toinformation regarding all Federal Legislators and how they stack up for our NARFE supported bills. Here is where you can find out who has signed on as co-sponsors.

The NARFE magazine each month has a “Legislative Report” that is interesting and informative. The articles range from how our NARFE lobbying staff operates, to the latest on NARFE legislative issues and/or other legislation that impacts active and retired Federal employees. The NARFE magazine reports on the results of monitoring Congressional Representatives and Senators votes on bills of importance to Feds. From the magazine you can learn how NARFE-PAC works and sign up to receive email notices as a member of the NARFE Rapid Response Team.

NARFE publishes a Congressional Directory listing members of Congress by state, with photos, biographical data and district maps. Congressional members contact information, websites, district office addresses and key staffers are shown along with a detailed description of how Congress is organized with lists of committees, subcommittees and leadership. There is also an insert a special insert with NARFE specific information and data to be used for grass-roots advocacy. Order this useful tool by mailing $20 to NARFE Headquarters, Congressional Directory, 606 N. Washington St. Alexandria VA 22314.

I will be working with President Impinna and the other Federation Officers in support of all NARFE programs and initiatives. My prime focus is legislation related to NARFE and I will work closely with the Legislative Committee consisting of Phyllis Taylor, Eileen Bond and Warren Howard (plus other volunteers I hope will be forthcoming).

Each of the Congressional Districts in Colorado has a volunteer NARFE Coordinator that will be the key contact for our activities:

• CD 1 - Bill Belz, CD 2 – Shirley McAnnally, CD 3 – Jane Hutchins, CD 4 – Hal Worth, CD 5 – Larry Lightfoot, CD 6 – Bob Epstein, CD 7 – Eileen Bond

I am very fortunate to be following in the footsteps of Jack Powell. As 2nd VP, Jack was very dedicated and involved in Legislative affairs both locally and relied upon by NARFE Headquarters as a knowledgeable consultant. Jack developed a strong State Legislative Team that built the foundation of our Committee. With Ken Dempster, Hal Worth, Larry Schluntz, Phyllis Taylor, Eileen Bond, Herb Homan and in close consultation with Martha Leiker and Betty Lucero-Turner. Jack set the bar high. Thank you Jack and thank you to all those mentioned for your service and dedication to NARFE.

Legislative Action Alert Bulletin from Friday June 19, 2009.
Senate and House legislative drafts to entirely overhaul health care provide the ideal vehicles in which to attach our premium conversion bills. NARFE President, Margaret L. Baptiste, issued an all members Action Alert requesting each NARFE member to immediately contact his or her Congressional delegation, one Representative and two Senators. NARFE's Legislative Action Center is set up to make this delegation outreach as easy as possible.
(Use www.capwiz.com/narfe)

Your message to your one Representative:

“I ask that you urge House Ways and Means Chairman, Charles Rangel, to include H.R. 1203, Federal and Military Retiree Health Care Equity Act, in comprehensive health care reform legislation the committee is currently considering.”

Your message to your two Senators:

“I ask that you urge Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Max Baucus, to include S. 491, Federal and Military Retiree Health Care Equity Act, in comprehensive health care reform legislation the committee is currently considering.”