Make sure you follow the link to the Brennan Center report on the voting
provisions of the For The People Act., currently stalled in the Senate. It's a
long article but worth reading. Eric
________________________________
Walter, please forward this Monday Alert to our UUP email network. Thank you
With the final NYS budget talks going on for april 1st deadline, it is looking
good with the 3 major NYS Retiree topics being supported by both senate &
assembly over the original governor's proposal. Those being Medicare Part B
reimbursement, IRMAA for NYSHIP retirees and no new sliding premium scale for
NYSHIP insurance. Here are the articles in this week's ARA Monday Alert; NYS
budget analysis-Medicaid; NYSARA comment on Covid stimulus plan; Perspective on
divide in Congress; Americans support worker pensions; Future of democracy on
the line; Trump appts. remain in Soc. Sec. admin.; Democrats eye Medicare to
lower Rx prices; Walsh confirmed as labor secy. 68 to 29; and Calls for postal
banking services gain momentum. Stay safe and soon we can meet together, wear
that UUP Mask.
Charlie Mcateer RMGC chair & delegate
[Image]
[Image]
[Image]
NYSARA Board Member Jim Carr's Commentary on COVID Stimulus Plan
Elmira Star Gazette March 28, 2021
Stimulus plan helps those in need
I read with much interest the article dated March 22 titled “The local impact
of the federal stimulus.”
I agree with the mayor of Binghamton when he said, “For capital (uses) the bill
(allows for) water projects, sewer projects, broadband projects.” Every city
and town needs to use the stimulus money to improve their roads, bridges and
infrastructure. Not for tax cuts or creating budget surpluses.
This is the most transformative legislation since the New Deal, which should be
used as intended to stimulate our local economy. Resources are being delivered
where they are needed to fund jobs and services at the state and local level,
because they have had a decade of neglect in the public sector.
The bill encourages investment in our infrastructure and discourages austerity.
It includes tax credits for first responders with money going to hard-hit
communities that need it most.
The American Rescue Plan, approved by both houses of Congress with no
Republican support in the U.S. Senate, and signed into law by President Joe
Biden, addresses the health crisis caused by the virus, ensuring access to the
vaccine and securing health care resources to adequately respond with the help
that’s needed.
It also provides support to state, local governments and schools to begin the
process of moving back toward reopening and normalcy as public health
conditions will allow.
There is also significant direct economic help directly to Americans in need
with an additional $1,400 payment to qualifying individuals, and numerous
provisions to help lift the most in need out of poverty while also assisting
with health care coverage and other necessary benefits.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 creates new Coronavirus State and Local
Fiscal Recovery Funds to keep first responders, front-line health workers,
teachers and other providers of vital services safely on the jobs as states,
local governments, tribes and territories roll out vaccines and fight to
rebuild Main Street economies.
Candid Perspective on the Partisan Divide in Congress
Just weeks into the 117th Congress, lawmakers have already had to grapple with
a seemingly endless array of national crises. From the Capitol insurrection to
the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this new Congress has been tested like never
before with urgent problems such as exasperated economic inequalities and
drastic divisions along party lines that desperately need unified solutions.
Join the Association of Former Members of Congress, the John Brademas Center of
New York University, and the Archer Center of the University of Texas System
for a conversation with Congressional Chiefs of Staff from both sides of the
aisle, who will speak candidly on how they are navigating the new landscape on
Capitol Hill.
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
12:00 PM EDT
Virtual Webinar
https://nyu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6ZOSll61Ql6vvbo7r9Xe8g<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2Fc511-KAjM3jU_4OIFtitbXiMYprA9OkHREUMnFMgafQe6kVDEO8PKfC0sZti40jb8PfyEBWMQaZtVTYLPOmgkiDfYDxPM--wAaa4tAxLMbOY-iU_D0JKjkt52ZMOQ5FIGvCzZa1y9qWVYeEyiIs_el6ytMC1gcp4qgS56hgbnfVUaS6fkgIccGM4s8izSdUthfKVrAUxXxN9HZnFIKDhEcAiKBcW6deSzKmnDFO5aXzqxXPqtzRRdMhvedODw7n_rZlXR6-7dFZVMVdD2jrAOZZeqH_ozyvBRZhu5nNNVGGOgQUJqy_PeybyevEE98groCyw83PTiLwfIVxHZkyzFK4eC21ZQfTQOMmonkA6nVE%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh0%2FAEBN_KSoEPPZ3dU9t-zvBNGF5Y2FzHQT6we1ZdCYMdQ&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240146950910%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=1pA6ddE1uxoANO5FIOtA%2FHdby49xprM2HBAXO%2BaHimg%3D&reserved=0>
77 Percent of Americans Support Pensions for All Workers, According to New
Research from the National Institute on Retirement Security
Americans See Pensions as Important Tool to Recruit & Retain State and Local
Public Employees
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 17, 2021 – A new national survey finds that 77 percent
of Americans agree that all workers, not just those working for state and local
government, should have a pension. And even though the nation is deeply divided
on many other issues, support for pensions is consistent across party lines.
Eighty percent of Democrats, 75 percent of Republicans and 78 percent of
Independents agree that all workers should have access to a
pension.<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FtTBUZwcBH_2q13Ow12s-jYyCPml-tqtJNCwIy3q9CwFnXVuzxCxQSmVhqm2CnR_Hn8CJ04wy0liRrpVnJrx_pYEEABbLQDn8ADT3iXdsWJhK_OW3SF3LetoW1z2miOEk4zGrAj6WK6X-WU1SuNaXhkuhAOiwKicXP91SFJGJmpIatIu7qgpDw-jEDQ90RFMNEXVSinDtdnouWeuUEKpVIRgl-gmzAgjO1GFQC3wBiJDYTHy3VXAw8uYNA8Woon85cBcGTlg2YwPgGKugM6NhDpTeIoHwfV0TlcpTX1uHkagxvdyo8t12Zm9caVMbYTP5DZ5bQxPB7BGl7EG68kB8j8EIh1GUlweRwmCCxym_aSU%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh1%2FX_Dh6YGY-UrK5mi6_rI5Lpr1rune21raPTgA71DwepE&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240146960900%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=DHAzHM%2B%2BSJ1k%2FdwBj9K2UYgnqdpsqPQzN5Z5YaWd7Cc%3D&reserved=0>
These findings are contained in a new issue brief from the National Institute
on Retirement Security
(NIRS<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FmzK5Y4LHFi2KXUSQ34JwhP5YrK1Ydlm5AFbx5-OPavrvtgzqdPzR4J2CGLJ3jrCvK0Iz57yQptyFDNPBRSVTuFyu0V5pUSYERnBjO_WJ8WB2HPag9aKJU-dVSGhlZtmJ-fL8aN2bu0Wv4fLNOXCmtdnMRnm4272CckLGZJUpoKBo80SDtHEM-p8lZXCGZkKmm0eGygQO5UJqrDvN77IDEeyVNEKIuEWDIJ_DN3XieDspQXQbIfr03UKw7KauyxuXUa0_0HGshr4feuKJsLCNmMDL13sn4R1F4lY_hJTqvcxJSpUMQDF1EN7oljNM9gh3fJ15XgRCPJ1xitRM_d4xvzyfLk_WiofZ8o28_W4N10ElinTxYosH33yXxp9Jhi1-hQq-fKRqnAp6VE2n_zfWWDQCRUwQ1Hv4n_A-cWnUZ0MSObc8scrlhQg241SVpbVqq25tx8VvbpL_dqEVvEMW0aLrD40_ySez5s2m9HuhIHevxcItVWd3sYlpAMDCF2n97A8GGDtz0Wi2oQN_fGmKvtnDDuoYUtkWY3DrZqXxntkK2YjabfnyIsD5Ao82wR8tlhgdlTxpyBABmRtWxUaqYWdYSrkd_F3i8C9ZgLQIVIHK9AeFkmpQ8ZfnEITdVAoYo2045fk5fv9lUHjhvcpyKYgs0SN7c6mY_LGe0PFdqaM%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh2%2Fqt1mpPtkd5Rb3j-VQm1n1ZNsJqc9EAgr64iRIKo8BIk&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240146960900%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=SGYbpaHlOg2aVWXu4J5UpP28SW9C%2FAjayFb%2F1Mqd3Ao%3D&reserved=0>),
Americans' Views of State and Local Employee Retirement Plans.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on the critical role that qualified,
experienced state and local workers play in our lives,” said Dan
Doonan<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FmzK5Y4LHFi2KXUSQ34JwhP5YrK1Ydlm5AFbx5-OPavrvtgzqdPzR4J2CGLJ3jrCvK0Iz57yQptyFDNPBRSVTuFyu0V5pUSYERnBjO_WJ8WAs1t0hqAhR28SYzMVen6Vp3no_D1QHsrvDmki9Ku1afj_bQpZfsmbHeYAhqzhYJioTSUAB6BHZgeQVTwwW1Bfd0i9LZtQViCTyMyfs-Mbi8ro8zYIUOBDhTqZRFMfW1gz2cXYYzgOma9gE7P0tNEdLB-Nw46m3HdxQ_8JQ0osJNbK_kvTlu2KfrTZg2N1u8LPebpec0uoCfh85qS09Hb5d7JjtUAOQjlGATCtBrCKicz0-1c-s7uB0vJwVLyGCdsz9Gy1vtvypEkL59Dasot_8Tv1JWCIWUXOTh1U4UogDAPR4mFiUgyiPn7SkveEjhbPj4Dm-BIYSAhpeo5fH7NqGfgk44OiiBQIn-Mm2gcsDJVyTI5HUCbnGD9GeWdPFu6u1v3SnVF3X_Al4IM6oTBE2GXIev-fcv8uDmx6IQfaIDKqLQhDJjXdu-ueCH-JzkeHK_NjTpIhcOzafZ9ArlX4YYEDD2BnX7VJNRUvyen3rNmIGmRgcqb91SEmhCXgvyG3mfgBUglSPDDvPOf3BPcx7qQXfNFe_xX1Rl4-R60TJP2kIUweS2_bHiC7KAZ40ffpetvsie0amHVX5UugvAlcUvS4ec4lmrpOveajLTzLvCA%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh3%2FSXxg3Fz93gaCi02aS6sJ23N2fM0ZYPG2YqEEZdmU5Ak&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240146970896%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=alLJ1XBJEKBr%2FbdNxREdkGfaIKeQX%2Fw8jIYZ7mcf5BM%3D&reserved=0>,
NIRS executive director and report co-author. “From healthcare workers to
first responders to teachers, these employees have worked tirelessly and taken
immense risks this past year.”
“Our research shows that Americans understand that pensions offer more than
retirement security – they are a key workforce tool to help attract and retain
employees. State and local governments typically offer lower salaries than the
private sector, so retirement and healthcare benefits act as employee magnets,”
Doonan explained. “We also found interesting that nearly half of Americans say
that public sector retirement benefits are about right (46 percent), while
about one-third (31 percent) say the benefits are too low.”
While the majority of Americans are not on track for a secure retirement, one
retirement bright spot is the benefits provided to state and local employees.
Most public employees pay into a pension plan that is their primary retirement
benefit, which often is supplemented by individual savings and Social Security.
Workers with these three
sources<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FmzK5Y4LHFi2KXUSQ34JwhP5YrK1Ydlm5AFbx5-OPavrvtgzqdPzR4J2CGLJ3jrCvK0Iz57yQptyFDNPBRSVTuFyu0V5pUSYERnBjO_WJ8WACNWGWwvTxiXx-6gVKuwis0zC4fGACH5thTJI2fgTSR8nlS5jRI5Nj77gfQnKn9-yL9mTFiw9HBYdCIFu_Q697hOuzQIq0isVgllZdNSM3mF54ah8TQyXDz4vOj5COP4OguqR6SF0DIPvY8k7r6wLbGILNePuJ0DpxNJA6AZOmd4t_EGTT169g8oHOl-_REAeVUalJknAvuvyO2St6Pk47rC2eDq9973SzUIUhI9oYTm-tuc8WMhIZri6xgjXJicxEcghHGAxS_FWZMGIh1EarKoVzIX0N2T-lvYqMyjFUV37tkLmvJVgFeLEaPluYPSpi2mPQyQiMHyiy2n1T07tTK17DWHIBXY7aoAlBSoXZ88sOfBIKFoVxiK-NtlN91-8p5lyfI11ptYokBsHPNg8bvi2M_H5eXAV_ZL5gneWGVa3jnvZszutBRQQOi1FY74gzs-qngnZhFvx8zbAqhMdKfdhKhRXO8V0nmbSNqABM5tI6Ts_n6bh8Hi0Q3BQP8azHS-Eq7JhHGTrzyaJ9ysdmU4H9rDW6jxpYX3wSx5XBuBvwjuiS1yhnwOzu1EsGUNR8_T3DfZTMTjdSHHAp8UbKu_-fELIkHWJbuDr9kx6Acg%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh4%2F7PjAbtG8yq1F-sql_2Mbk0ynF1ojD3DeJCb8ACJpU9c&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240146980892%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=W2rjZXzoVEOj7sBh1Z4aT8ldiRKpDyWbKo3QQfw1NDs%3D&reserved=0>
of retirement income are best positioned to have a secure retirement.
[https://files.constantcontact.com/616c3589001/d8170353-294e-422f-a3ef-47fc0ca6477a.png]
This research finds that:
* More than three-fourths of Americans say all workers, not just state and
local employees, should have access to a pension. Some 77 percent say all
workers, not just state and local workers, should have a pension. This holds
true across party lines. Eighty percent of Democrats, 75 percent of Republicans
and 78 percent of Independents agree that all workers should have a pension.
* The vast majority of respondents agree that providing pensions to state
and local employees is a good way to recruit and retain these employees. Some
75 percent of Americans agree that pensions are a good way to recruit and
retain qualified teachers. With regard to public safety employees, 76 percent
agree that pensions are an important recruitment and retention tool of these
workers.
* Most Americans agree that public employees should receive pensions
because workers contribute to the cost and these benefits help compensate for
lower pay and risks of some jobs. Nearly three-fourths (72 percent) agree that
state and local employees should receive pensions because they help finance
part of the cost by contributing money from each paycheck. Sixty-nine percent
say public school teachers deserve a pension to compensate for their lower pay.
Similarly, Americans say high risk jobs are another reason that public
employees should receive a pension, with 76 percent in agreement.
State and local pensions are funded from three sources: employer contributions,
employee contributions and investment earnings. Between 1993 and 2018, about 25
percent of public pension fund receipts came from employer contributions, 11
percent from employee contributions, and about 64 percent from investment
earnings. This means that earnings on investments historically have made up the
bulk of pension fund receipts, even during two market downturns, and taxpayers
are funding only a portion of these benefits.
The vast majority of state and local pensions are well-managed and positioned
to weather economic downturns. The 2008 global market
crash<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FmzK5Y4LHFi2KXUSQ34JwhP5YrK1Ydlm5AFbx5-OPavrvtgzqdPzR4J2CGLJ3jrCvK0Iz57yQptyFDNPBRSVTuFyu0V5pUSYERnBjO_WJ8WCcLgZjdlHK-64tKLO4IrZy7cRTnxp2F5v_oT_dYNGId1bzZkGg316jI-89ctiO7v1aMWwgx0omT3vPW3eIYcR93UBok-quyzF9DB-CmzqYtYLiWJF2F66t-Kdn-5uLuvBHQKJ3NTfR8Q-84Vk57FBSMfPq5l0zbaCZXHjRTf2q1ZHABV5g8023QCsPfVK9qzpLrI0tK-DPiklxVzSTTHGKPlt3bAxWWgeerw0pbOVdRuHwk0O7XkiKlZeQ-GMiMHDPaVdQ6h4DFpEDzkdNnexsucp8T27l1rFZPWu-txfqcQgel2c8L9s5X-uu7G1s1ZeGc0ST2E8FEyjyWwWWz1xvPVyYJgCftedFNYVy6Br5ssUAOHDg8GYS2MQi1mMN2F-i2MURyFyAZlpU3avsYCIzlOtFGaM40g7SK8CjywPwXH7234Pema5cJnzGL5O1oKiT38i9JcKg6JdKPhUBc8c66FBD3T5Z6TcJuz9ELi-ssz4gr3Qk1HWcwf30wnYNp8DTip8P1sUImM2wan17MGCNnSPcZAin2WGzYDTKcHd3ZXHadcqr2a6qhHR6mK1Ql8CdsbHQFcFat7lQ-iBZoqmYJtuYneXfiahTpUewMxvB5yboqLt5idAKhccdKT4cE8U%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh5%2FgQQoNX7Jmdxt_hp2DdW3ZeKBSMs5hPdZlkxfG1JjM3o&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240146980892%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=rcj4VQjAZp%2FDG%2FzTZxi9p%2BoXCQITx%2BX98H8sRQ79pIw%3D&reserved=0>
reduced public pension fund asset values from $3.15 trillion in 2007 to $2.17
trillion in 2009. But since then, nearly every state has enacted meaningful
reforms<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FmzK5Y4LHFi2KXUSQ34JwhP5YrK1Ydlm5AFbx5-OPavrvtgzqdPzR4J2CGLJ3jrCvK0Iz57yQptyFDNPBRSVTuFyu0V5pUSYERnBjO_WJ8WCcLgZjdlHK-64tKLO4IrZy_3c2axmOzZ7EmwXWW3oBbn_kaPvNAm56nkcVtqKQt7nuIEasV9S3V3bNv5s4UBmK5ZkbwzAxa28ESBC6TeIL5raicB0mux7XcsXOUyCQaxFgbCR5HguKz4ACpwEHrhpfWm3k7aL9Dgsz8-a2W_L5YMe_ui2qxU0iPw0wRe5LItUEl6qX7TWsrD6CzBDu0gcNDEM-0XtvN-fu5FMT4WzjfJFhss03yfULT4TClRcCKhvaZ-yI1yl14WgPF-jJcv4ApgLFzig2HJsyW1rf-rcr8JHn_k51HAZbJhxQjNRqx3rz_M2fyIXLvSlcWCjf_baHL7jD3aGu6ngpOU83dXPDS7vN8dVjOG85dUmB-XmUKlmr_gwfyKxbeQjOmqsMcgLcQJsIuWXQ11uSY_lur1uhshEz6BosgYiH0gJ0cU64tS6TliVaP98Vx2Ke-_V0VVueWS_S-H0XT8Lf7lUIQY88Wa6VNtKHxMTXgSqXUd5ttvmeYtdyIk_t-GgpFH9n883mwb-ZD6bBLmgRboVeILnUpBYYL-JYwOWgY1ZtpkEpr-n7kVjY2r23MjjzscWCpTy1LeuY_1PoGjAsbjDEip7-SeN2Ot_OFHzNv9W53bmr80w%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh6%2FoA9yDMtDHSbNJvcdtSVDdT4FahtcsbH2X5UFOsPg_wE&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240146990886%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=%2Bgo90pSILrvkG%2Bg1KDBcJ2qlWOlv8HWEVOiH427Q6Kk%3D&reserved=0>
to their pension plans to ensure their long-term sustainability, including
benefit reforms and increased employee contributions. Throughout the COVID-19
crisis, financial markets have been resilient and most plans remain on a
financially sound
course<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FmzK5Y4LHFi2KXUSQ34JwhP5YrK1Ydlm5AFbx5-OPavrvtgzqdPzR4J2CGLJ3jrCvK0Iz57yQptyFDNPBRSVTuFyu0V5pUSYERnBjO_WJ8WCcLgZjdlHK-64tKLO4IrZyjLj-Y81jP6LoHxPZMOoaKiTE79V5_ABTNZSYbrcGvUkzgbRgvejOG_RmfQtBVEcji25qWmBWi-GJeLs0ScWLWkLwyZeJm3AkjlkkTu_2vK1WcfsLVIrX3hFNjBBLBtaRWjnM633BjVa0WUT2YCjZUeduzuX9tBwpz20uQFAa_sgOPNzBFpWM7xIHkIxTeAavCC5Io8gtwFvoUFA3UT9hbmsYxEARYYMEB1uFkPnqzti17roRfev-gB_qfke8a3dz4rYLVklSK_vkOE50xiXESYHa-eCn4Pjo6Hrodo081u6esGnoa9BjE2DP8I-9zjT0jw12UnFwvX_8U6tm79sMiRqFMPXcErbU9IQ25no0dZRCOoTH0Zl1jnyXYfHzIyoDttc5etnYwqmc35VNeUwzuvz67zG1iAwSjMofSCZdKpvWwUZI1SvQFkUiG4_pMEf_xhQCti-mTbHVl_zMqycsR84gmqZeiyYttLSnN3Il9n7X9HVEPE3urSRqKWy3NVlDNr9ssiZrEWSZK8TSfuhJaW6hPbRwupB8DfF_EdVbvrNbkT0Ut-ffxbbMTc1reaMYI9WmNuWrKKs0X19BCcb2qtz4by4uGWcnQsdfgk8ARkwsCzUHQCP_23Orfhabo4lWj937KXJusrR9wQ1Cug2OLLJzRlrX8dJ8CLqe0Y825do%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh7%2FPAN9y2jPvhmVh8_HM7e9KQ02FXZoxYbcFwxX5NOYk7Y&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240147000882%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=bbapUePZdCBHi00hOi6X1PzHlC%2FgNE0S0ytgsIZm66k%3D&reserved=0>.
As of the third quarter of 2020, public pension assets were $4.78 trillion,
doubling their asset
values<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FmzK5Y4LHFi2KXUSQ34JwhP5YrK1Ydlm5AFbx5-OPavrvtgzqdPzR4J2CGLJ3jrCvK0Iz57yQptyFDNPBRSVTuFyu0V5pUSYERnBjO_WJ8WAszyLCUh9D3x8t_H4tQP31nD4T1vgixiJle_xXgHEd7GgHbmmEwnR1CtrtQp1TKZlTA33Kq9ZtbqJUr_QXw5fuU74ikxP6_yPbc0ka-mc-uSl71md6A4SWvf7OtO4QnoBztaYUHhnvoDDvKUQ_qzDy-lfRXaxRzYjpPoNIY3HrT2YQYJPUgNqc2wSiURLRgeV4XmJn50tcIRLvfg0aMX1Va09wQPRhXCs-1_Gre_l-Vp4Ntcf9OOpuXl3TlvkuhARMvwaz1AmzRSY8hOXZvV_xhkayQ0dXYblFGCX7pKfBnq4TKORtd1D_O49L9hHWKeQyuyj1OI4Txfsk68LqS--GjTfMQL0akRQjBx8SB04D2_TAr5mye2XWmDE1o80pDgE_Dzv5ByzJqJsTyRgm5ZrtC_KNP8QA3ChSZwxfHBVcBiUgggEyySvWpfGRrrRB_awwK6edZUqnmWmEnjaxQsPDU7XuwjqXYa-3oMLw4H-tFhTFc0AJ_n6DRKm3IuzYFkSJs2XCdltnJPIg_j8Yaze1HhFK_wgNhOFnq15NGX3Is3cORSIxVqFXmvPWmpaaEmH5apYB3cfzNM3gAGfB9-9wWOCIpxQOL0z4Sg04BEbkbI4-wIz6EsXM1sZenH_W110%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh8%2FSRSCUNzkadVwS_wdCgkfx-NEEVE8djOcXudjefv4A0E&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240147000882%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=eTVI8e2utMZp5udpKQ5SC4CWhQlj83AY5cLf3eM9M34%3D&reserved=0>
since 2009.
Pensions are economically
efficient<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FmzK5Y4LHFi2KXUSQ34JwhP5YrK1Ydlm5AFbx5-OPavrvtgzqdPzR4J2CGLJ3jrCvK0Iz57yQptyFDNPBRSVTuFyu0V5pUSYERnBjO_WJ8WC939H9bahtV5YZPp3Yy8aOON6SKLT05ZiAuutOIOnw0F91i35s9KjJPw_3l4DwPw2QvdPYAlzdaI93X_jK-o9lVmCuLK_xngE98vXCnwqHeNvURDIiVS-JgNeZ6sf3bBYKh0IHTrpqnmmLIJcLC_vnVrRD8Z8eg9a14gmG5Gii2C-8flBBG46nGD5PXEBaZTFFjAPV1IoNqn_wbWVsYKfCaSfT98hma-o6BiyOauh9PzIYPSMkw_SAYeBA49yny6ipJqpVu1EXoK3kWa5WUry3WBLaxSJVfGipVr-QgHvwfEG74geFtaE9KixsnPH3FSxBoSEPuI9YRlgM70lbYxmovhytNmpdlpk3bb_QjJxAqhoCNO30afAzhN0ePqrC6aJi-0RdYW9tcPZNyiABXbho4Tl5ATfCTSB8A7aIq2D21GJfwnsyB1njXiYNRBWFw1d1M3Ihy2DEm58UHRem9HXB2BsylebUaOGf8hlhuRa6MWL3qAiD4oNTX2tsgNtqQO22nZYmRllVPZPR6H4ItI32BmFPdVXRYit2Gn1eRCK5dISeP3ND3qOK3LCTZdiGbuPVaxf9kFzezXAfhQMsxMsxKfa0XcxlmMTTWrf7bwyBaJYTfiI-NjHcpOuKK_L5x56hxum0XDwTDef4xg_w7xi9NxZcrZ3hPImM2YyIeJOz1lxMpd-wcxAVHIOUA7WHasWSuF3h5h5zDtXRQ89rnc3LvzK1Jy7eF4Ev9RUn6ZQWlwOdEn76xezUtetR5KqYF0U%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh9%2FYahpE8UGruubC90CCeVCXgJ4zq0498_Sp-kAnWb1tu4&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240147010881%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=oJjiCHmCrEL889LdA0E0hor6GS2ySy1StEhOrAjec9M%3D&reserved=0>
and also provide a sizable economic
impact<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FmzK5Y4LHFi2KXUSQ34JwhP5YrK1Ydlm5AFbx5-OPavrvtgzqdPzR4J2CGLJ3jrCvK0Iz57yQptyFDNPBRSVTuFyu0V5pUSYERnBjO_WJ8WCP6Don1Zfrx58ksk5AszqMbz6FuZj0Wx2n4S6C98HX22L37Uw8DsTcaG_1RE3gOLwpcw_n-ajvjiBqlc8grkp4x3jv9BCzDvFX-haj6ripOBsaVUjlqs5j8I8S6WVHkKk_Py9FtcKZlrv8LPsZer5QIfraZ-3wfFYkwzjpVm8OlgnU2ypozMuYvD_K4hWPMZpJAVNxGmrbZJed1LoRavR8CvB-iB7zfx303USQqKmgtCvm2La9Kt-GQNyEMOBbEVQxG25Jkr2HOKRSVnXrbTb5s3i-pnAM3-dSsglxYAwk7EajfyYhtS8OB70FG0-8sp8uOyHtxM9jSlw1XvzagVtqOJFMIRHwfKH_axdwIrmWd7CW-8sZbFes38ZXRCBzyqsBXq4ZcoJ7_gSjN9bC3YKFFKX2ndWrxoT5_A_cFrlmA7fjPsdqaK0oyUJGhimofQf3UOx79nNpae7QgWiiArxoGW-SQYYk9yJtf9T0h2U4jfpl95VYw4_OWc6NBNgaiBjCBOM2uIqqGQBAFRNYMlK3afleSSYelX6WjxKb-AQi324OwdwD9bdtVboKbe_uE2RQy65iHCDWhJSbaQcsRhqckp9N7Hf5USd5jhfTqC8U8g%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh10%2FExe7TcZa2uk3E691m7aCX4uUbiwywJq5LQcl5PFuKoI&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240147020869%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=4gXE6nV0G73TW5kk1BzTCURmpSwDED9hN7YXQBeLsMw%3D&reserved=0>
across the U.S. Retiree spending of public and private sector pension benefits
in 2018 generated $1.3 trillion in total economic output, supporting nearly
seven million jobs across the nation. Pension spending also added nearly $192
billion to government coffers at the federal, state and local levels.
Conducted by Greenwald Research, information for this study was collected from
interviews conducted between December 4–10, 2020, of 1,203 individuals aged 25
and older. The final data were weighted by age, gender, and income to reflect
the demographics of Americans aged 25 and older. Tabulations in some of the
charts may not add up to 100 due to rounding.
The National Institute on Retirement Security is a non-profit, non-partisan
organization established to contribute to informed policymaking by fostering a
deep understanding of the value of retirement security to employees, employers
and the economy as a whole. Located in Washington, D.C., NIRS membership
includes financial services firms, employee benefit plans, trade associations,
and other retirement service providers.
Future of Democracy On The Line
Sweeping voter suppression legislation enacted in Georgia is front and center
in the news this week. It’s stark evidence of continuing efforts to undermine
American Democracy by making it harder for people to vote. The Georgia
legislation even makes it a crime to hand a bottle of water to someone on line
waiting to vote.
Hundreds of similar pieces of legislation are being advanced in state
legislatures across the country.
Experts at the Nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice say passage of the For
The People Act in Congress is now an urgent necessity.
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/policy-solutions/congress-must-pass-people-act<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FatcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDHuQYDmmJRcwSD6x4OfijSxGxAXDpbtc_IKeySbnXC6GhGZkZlM7DHZ9rbbU7b646JXWlzTqCygh5kbtBn0eIRN1IZQKfUK4JxUDCDqavY7aUpnd0o40kk3npEjiY4VhkEsXS5PA4-v9U_7HAQfOcl7WDbzo1TC9nIUHwFKyeU5KoYNx3YCIeKk5NLwU9TWsII9cqe7FtX_gcRpLIcEdtoxHW7OI-OlsDCEv970e2d9O1d4RSehb0J5aKWB2fRXeELkVQBnN_NaAx7-IEOFwJEqUj0FOh-9I8WgvGqn3K9yAdIBJr4k_7uUQ9WoYzNtCcMtqTexEbaNHIs6s0_yOQJ4JtSPPXAaQ5w0uh4BQntWY%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh11%2FrJnxW8i7semc62XtrRMQuIfNchEOodDkPEni0efnlxU&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240147030869%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=zMJ30nnB2jWbOsvlP%2FMmxqrpNSb6xLCmSbIaSLbenBk%3D&reserved=0>
Senior Trump Appointees Remain in Place at Social Security Administration
[Image]
The Social Security Administration's main campus
in Woodlawn, Md.
The chairs of Social Security subcommittees in the House and Senate are calling
on President Biden to fire Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner
Andrew Saul and his deputy, David Black, immediately. Saul and Black were
appointed by former president Donald Trump to terms that end in 2025.
There have been several incidents that call into question Saul and Black’s
leadership.
● In 2020, an SSA Inspector
General<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FatcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDDUV27dB1SLFWpo-Uwox6ENv8RZb0xTlyr0qs7ypv1D44TDLUb_GG6bHzuWPc94LQlQ_DkoFARG4qj3DhACRizcwJc5YSe4v7LecgPw2Uaoy5CydsIWtkdRQkPUtPASqm2LIlqe6lbeWD1ODZi0SNhUeUDgPjd43R2gTyNj7r5Y_fxq5_IGMuL3X2WUjUaBb3IEjDXntKAb2pcmntTYvCFRihDLFMi_cuMLNdpOO_BuXdjYjfkuABW1SJb9GTD6vIwyne2I8S-z-X5Z0FXRfiBrqDcx7O4a2-B5ir6amMsM7gwPXRD6XaM14d4pqb8m8Ey6luhXKsb7KfcE35p5ooVUxd76ZtzQoiMDCDHwpmr3YaAs3jyi5FD9xPuB9xixCncjyzsNTLWJmmbX2pskDBSdJ2csjlWeOv7gaRG66cx0AtyU17C6EaJk8ffFIGhY7IFq7tTdQozrNUnA5EBakbpE%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh12%2FNmVa_Dwv3THit4pIoYr8PSxM9R2TCqmTWe55uKwueXk&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240147030869%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=wJEX1N58zwlFojMzEW7SC4jLPdcvZBmfPcRI7JKZz9s%3D&reserved=0>
report found that the Agency knew that full benefits were not being paid to
tens of thousands of Americans but took no action to ensure these beneficiaries
received the money they were owed;
● An SSA whistleblower recently came forward saying that Saul and Black were
putting illegitimate pressure on SSA judges to wrongfully deny people with
disabilities the Social Security benefits they have earned; and
● Stimulus payments for nearly 30 million Social Security beneficiaries have
been delayed because the SSA failed to send the IRS the payment information it
needed to send stimulus payments until March
25<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FdSCQfi9FLISmU3ZE3bfPhpwmY_DHMAZqFSLUrpAn-pr5_84kChEqJKA-J1wZR7BR_NQagVjJCw914wPnn4t8VVwtKeumuPcu7W5ajDMIdTMbn5dOrCByyIXsqTyzYqNrP0n2jUaWUh253PyIrDuU1oZ5jEcUQvhI0tHbcMkEO-4pX-ebXamoOLcCk-pAm6INXD80iCa_jx_7evd_OY08ei9tI7kN2-QBo4WqLfgnTdoelQIecKVYfIxzTCoRp3z7Ur5yRBcK3QZDXZp4qjyVRGLtK8VdOSJiQ4C6u5mLB6GF4cwaKEeee1iXOWa0hmi3N6-qSlhmiHpfBrowZXbNRI0W8hpmuZeashzy46EKUPBhRpvPpsG32ZxzpS2qY3QndxcbKBXQJQ2pR6xzndRw67I1pwvD5wQoXXnyK4bzsyg%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh13%2FP0Av8KwpqJ9KrNwbqBmjzj8PxK2-hDZ648g-cykZV7s&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240147040858%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=%2BKsc7FEqclJU2aPNYgxGOmQjtRV3St6lpqY4874n5qI%3D&reserved=0>.
“President Biden must protect the people who rely on Social Security from
leaders who are not serving the mission of the SSA and the American people,”
said Joseph Peters, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “We call on him
to fire Saul and Black and replace them with appointees who understand, respect
and support SSA and the millions of Americans who rely on it for the benefits
they have earned.”
KHN: Democrats Eye Medicare Negotiations to Lower Drug Prices
By Emmarie Huetteman, Kaiser Health News
Democrats, newly in control of Congress and the White House, are united behind
an idea that Republican lawmakers and major drugmakers fiercely oppose:
empowering the Department of Health and Human Services to negotiate the prices
of brand-name drugs covered by Medicare.
But they do not have enough votes without Republican support in the Senate for
the legislation they hope will lower the price consumers pay for prescription
drugs. That raises the possibility that Democrats will use a legislative tactic
called reconciliation, as they did to pass President Joe Biden’s covid relief
package, or even eliminate the Senate filibuster to keep their promise to
voters.
Regardless, Democrats hope to authorize Medicare negotiations on payments for
at least some of the most expensive brand-name drugs and to base those prices
on the drugs’ clinical benefits. Such a measure could put Republicans in the
uncomfortable position of opposing an idea that most voters from both parties
generally
support<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FatcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDO0wX1jpE0TffeUEY4tmRa-8fNaYADUauAiVLmZzJ6yOWJVqdlxR2maAbcB-ML87BZiBNBoaGc9lhJmwTMAAjCVRqCkXAv2a4OSHKx2cTJqRiG3_UjVNPjEA2565hupxcEAQosUZxi7_UCQhySrRHqD8QA0KD94YCUA2dypbUG9WvzsybehpAnY9aLMZ5XU6wLhwcbtaHbKz4hJuPg_pKI3sym2G41LV9_OJr2iF7luNFHhQAie_7hUuBYIN5s6qGcYxBeH3KF0X50pD2FMYhCqbrX7bybO2ZQ3asigIeYCukJyj9tvSEZ3vrdH6EIR8QnjXW3-JpUxV2XLuv8ZnxRrtP-2zd25AHNWulypafFqPMiai1W83nUK8ChFJ1wCW0w%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh14%2FnnaIpITuhifkpzEyUv4u0iuD_r6koU3ajyPer0I9Yv4&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240147040858%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=ydF6PsyY%2B%2F8eOJcvtn%2BwN81z5yRG2P8xtBAHHPBMPww%3D&reserved=0>.
Click to read
more<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FZsYp6Jc2ATNP3MkVzvte6IX7LXmCC1H1bxMzsGmXS2j8KpmxUkcyxVLimQ9RGnC3YjSiBDN3094mx3oEzLoPYMQ8keruPD_BQRBGLv01aWF7paff-oJ5YS00LM_Q8sxQGyKIFpKQ129tpvL0pPJbZ7RGDa7iMEeq00Pu0-Zta_arlzfvzDYRP5ZVGeUF_lDgfQI6Gze2e8ObOSqHhXZ9almru_ZXshxj1BY1OaYvOUXMVMtMBKBx4xH2Bt1xEyIgO_oxopQyjZlfkDPGor6vuk2rKuj_w8OZuJ_lXgt-MYj4G1SxEkZvqakqZ8Bs9YyFIze0bl9oIsffisjA_ZMccCnTLGY2viUGKo-t_apv4rwzPMzfJFcd5TNQmqrqmR9eRG25v8FgIWq6d6eC8yxJXQ%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh15%2FVYe72F4DqOST0eUrEoHkBQQf9E_GdzFnX3nLSmW3yg0&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240147050856%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=gpmPRyZQzfZEPTAbsq4uGitsflJupGbD0sjbiTBISMo%3D&reserved=0>.
Marty Walsh is Confirmed As Labor Secretary At a Key Time for Unions
Marty Walsh, a former union leader who most recently served as the mayor of
Boston, was confirmed as Labor
Secretary<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FatcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDCa77cl0PSDG3H5DRHo4OWsKgDTfM1ilowQZ2SWyDc1Qgz9yRrBV6fDbT63d6ATk7kkaZ4i-mDQ4d7dnBKyzyBPxbokJgokVtBYQUvm5bd6WA89lNAkXWyyr_80zKLRkh3bhNjp0kH7cx5syxRWH6lHR0PT96HmNN74X3T5WwFoejWhL7ImEr1IklINFOAFyfDBkXNCiGNu0VmS4T8MmI4Q18ysMlf2-X1WAw_Z9ZLCwxBXiO14H3ENePKlkMUz-0hT5bkVQSdf1r1nmXAQkSXOB3rDX_285BIeuf6P0JvbRieT4wkf-gZatd1PlBHK3G3_3M9McbbS3v5VPTTx8L6v0UN_JFw7LV5k3vjKaD-bS-G0fhY7pV7G5YCM1PWxiP-2Ju2nmmIFSwAzn6mq6o8kPVxA08vlS6PBg1uwxkLF1%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh16%2FVo938Muf1c81aqwTuHrDqBJJNQ1qt0BUFjuaVTax2h0&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240147060845%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=PeD4HeR0y0WiBQPq8S0MQL2aRy180IPWRVb97HTWg34%3D&reserved=0>
by the U.S. Senate in a 68-29
vote<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FatcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDJ8RF9FUcPe4kg-mYvx_SDDqD-tusP1X1SJ02mdWSt4ZOVVV2OnvBxC-FmVfDAOci6Fo57wxY3R3p7LyPCNmXvrug4LnPf4cm7bbK3BUkx2XVkmcfFCGm_5J29SckR5zIcDJHuCXrLU2s3VVsFZmSBO9tmPyin1E9SiUrlfsHpkY5i8iD_ug5Oa7QtodzBXWu88MTK5HQpi704WGxCnEynrQHIHk5iuKfiMF5gVmX2BeiVPUG7TzkFc2BIN6PQbWscQsDLpzqgMMg_1R5iKnXb2xDf1KHm7k19AM5ePkWos6mljKSKZtAW51HCoO6ZemPfUP9AcVNSS8BdCMIA3EMLxs7cLbOhfhqrwiK4jqIghc0eDKlEvdQHnbmWDNR-_Kp80wLO_x2WImFaWQh7OvDKY%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh17%2FjU5wixsDtdP-2OILP9VCR6Vj15RlgQdrpggK5gr4iY4&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240147060845%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=kl3xaHtSOuy%2BV38iyU8n7L%2F2X%2BoaG97mJnbjpastZ7o%3D&reserved=0>
on Monday, becoming the first union member to run the department in over four
decades. Walsh previously served 16 years in the Massachusetts statehouse,
taking classes at night to earn his college degree. Before he was elected
mayor, he led the Boston Building Trades Council. He is a member of the
Laborers International Union.
“We have, in Marty Walsh, a Secretary of Labor who truly appreciates that the
labor movement has been, and continues to be, the leading force in the fight to
strengthen Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid,” said Robert Roach, Jr.,
President of the Alliance.
“Now we need for him to help us make the case for the PRO Act to become the law
of the land and ensure all Americans have the right to form a union.”
Printable
Version<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FSVVf6UGddUySPN6znLYVWlTNVqKDPLGRYj6YHuqEdtUdPaNkhQEreatt8Pspahfqvhw24OsF0nCgRmMlKC2Cgs6jHD_DaatkHXY06wTssA3100SY3XZ2SgQPSeH_PagWeX5iNchI63SxTiD-qQ8upvKbkzJOG9c8Q2t2_LFG67pB2B73O9hJ-EXQA1_tftO51dqUX9-TKO2yNi7WzTCBL3tDVwDFpEeB3SpYKO3TVpskIYHCwwNah-OB0QZnN4u6eqloQPkGR4dYNhpCIz9nzkbnQoBFTDFfOEQJFonZyabIxG1qchKpspia1_q0Vu0x%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh18%2F7fMcd5eaFfMn-HBYi6jzaYv11APGV3X4ymhBBjLgXIk&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240147070848%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=9x1%2FAnzGXTS3%2FlNool%2Blht47xrtQcHf%2FYJOIx2qvK6I%3D&reserved=0>
[https://actionnetwork.org/user_files/user_files/000/036/530/original/forward_friend_11-12-19_hopefully_final.jpg]<mailto:Enter+email+here?subject=I+thought+you+might+be+interested+in+this&body=I+hope+you+find+this+newsletter+as+interesting+as+I+did:+https://bit.ly/3rtBTdF>
Calls for Postal Banking Gain Momentum
The coronavirus pandemic and policies imposed by Congress have weakened the
Postal Service’s finances, and a growing number of legislators are pushing to
allow the Post Office to provide basic banking services to its customers, an
idea the Alliance strongly supports.
The idea of postal banking is not new, in fact the Postal Service provided
financial and banking services for more than 50 years, from 1911 until 1966.
Postal banking proponents including Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) and
Elizabeth Warren (MA) say that postal banking would provide revenue to USPS and
critical services to millions of Americans who were “unbanked” in 2019, meaning
that no one in the household had a checking or savings account. It’s estimated
that 12 million Americans in these circumstances turn to predatory payday
lenders each year for the financial services they need.
ACTION NEEDED: Tell Congress to Make Postal Banking a
Reality<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu1584542.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fss%2Fc%2FP8Elou2Rvc0qoMPEUZrMXcOpy_XqN4R2ZGjoK-5zZnm9hFWYg4Cpvcku7P80uO4mHQLCfNlixKIGL2gVdtURMZHDwdbPq1Tsn0ic2qczOwdUqrlZ8UvKnJ7uuHd_vXSkZlp0L-GCsBOEtczIDy4jRpOnFlwBryjNF_Yzd22u0bDvsBTXbBUwZ9S5Rjow-TUvvGV_zZkwS6E-DkPEfTjoALPxAWyFOU8y9BfXVj2JEeFCgQZ6Emyq2sk3Escr_AulwZhZ07ozj1APIgRr5cxT8IaDNTKd9JBV5Fzyww2v8sZ0M9i5Dcn4iXO7LcvnzISNRz0tv4xMKo73lHXL00ra9dEqAnmygs73uSM-U97rQex0iNqOkQBpGjWEh-ftX8ouyNxkHHyonccQ--BFigWHBvQTsrTTu2doIYEAdZVPUyK1xREQPqvLGjJBejbOBUyYCq2cKlw55ufZCaJm_AlDn9uLy6B2DXgd1CApbwT1WWj7D1wDqgiUrkkkbjOPh3xNVtHGBXa12DpTD7Bb01V8E7aJLQoWtUysXkwJHLLx118szVkBN5pSjlPeZkG5RDaSgFpzRAjkfdm0_ukvOzcxZGDC3dH6DX3seSHoa-M2WZs%2F3am%2FPZ2JToFSSuy_211VestsVA%2Fh19%2FvwEaFSDB-HAyGLlxKljRQxLU7fbN3SyDLdlKEYb8Pzc&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce39fbdedd4204ae692b508d8f2bcd553%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637526240147080836%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=05ANMX6xyBwSXzLmnl1sjhWR5UmzGHH1i2SsuYYpvNU%3D&reserved=0>
“Postal banking is a wonderful idea whose time has come. Let’s help seniors and
the USPS at the same time, by sending that message to Congress,” said Richard
Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance.
