CSEA Archive
Selected older postings can be viewed here......,
The Federal law addressing child nutrition is up for reauthorization. This is the law that includes reimbursements you get for feeding children under your care. This process occurs every 5 years, but the program has not seen substantial updates in a long time. With enormous food inflation and a childcare crisis, we urgently need to have Congress enhance the benefits this law provides to ensure you can continue to provide healthy food to children in your care.
We need to convince Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, to champion changes to this program and to act immediately.
Please send a letter to Senator Gillibrand today to tell her how important it is that Congress increase food reimbursements for providers, expand eligibility, and provide reimbursement for an additional snack or meal.
Use this link to send your letter now: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/update-the-federal-child-nutrition-program/ and be sure to share this link with anyone else who would be willing to support us.
Thank you for taking action on this important issue!
CSEA/VOICE |143 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210
Fix Tier 6
An email went out earlier from CSEA to members whom we believe are in Tier 6, asking for them to support our campaign for Tier 6 reforms. These people had previously been emailed last year with a survey asking them to prioritize which reforms they’d most like to see.
PAC reports that we’ve had a great response to the online form contacting state legislators, but we’ve not had a great response to the request for phone calls. I know no one likes making phone calls anymore (myself included!) but it really gets noticed by legislators more than the emails. Please ask other CSEA members to make phone calls, it would be very much appreciated. They just need to use the number we provided and state that they support Tier 6 reform. The most the legislators’ aides will likely ask is for the person’s zip code, which helps them keep track on their end.
I’m attaching the flyer PAC provided. Below is the text of the email sent yesterday, which can be used if you’re contacting members yourselves:
Join our campaign by writing a letter to your state legislators and then calling them at:
1-844-956-2891
Since going into effect in 2012, Tier 6 has become the dominant benefit tier within the Employees' Retirement System.
Tier 6 requires employees to pay more for their retirement for a longer period, only to receive a smaller benefit than employees in other pension tiers.
If we are serious about fixing our recruitment and retention issues within the State, local government, and school district workforces, reforms to Tier 6 must be on the table.
The changes we are proposing would encourage employees to make careers in public service by making them more appealing and competitive with the private sector.
With employer pension contribution rates set to decline significantly this year, and the State and our local governments in their best financial position in years, we must seize this opportunity to invest in he workers who make our state the Empire State.
Jessica Ladlee
Communications Specialist
CSEA Southern Region Office
568 State Route 52
Beacon, NY 12508
Office: (845) 831-1000
Email: jessica.ladlee@cseainc.org
Next Wave
All members of CSEA are welcomed and encouraged to attend this meeting. You are our future and we need you to keep our future strong. If you are interested in being part of the Next Wave, but are unable to attend, please contact us and we will collect your information to keep you posted on new and upcoming activities. For information, contact the committee chairperson, Sheri Farrell at 845-706-1865.
Provisional Time
Crediting Provisional Time (S.5494 Jackson / A.7155 Pheffer Amato)
A bill has been signed into law, which requires that any time spent as a provisional employee be counted towards an employee's probationary term upon receiving a permanent appointment in the same title. This law went into effect on September 7, 2023
What was the law before?
Employees can spend years as a provisional employee as they wait for available civil service tests. Once appointed to a permanent role, they can be required to spend up to an additional year on probation.
Deferred Compensation
Did you know that by contributing to New York State Deferred Compensation Plan you can put off paying taxes on your contributions and any earnings.
The plan is tax-deferred . That means that you pay less current federal and New York State income taxes today and have the opportunity for your money to grow tax-deferred. You don't pay taxes until you decide to make withdrawals, which are taxed as ordinary income.
Investing involves market risk, including possible loss of principal.
Be tax smart.
Sign-up for the Plan today.
Ask questions, review your account or join
Ulster County Employees
New York State Deferred Compensation Plan
Please contact Gene for more information about your benefit.
For general info please visit: www.nysdcp.com
For MORE information, contact Gene Nescot at his voicemail (614)854-4364