Legislative Update

WHAT A YEAR!!!

The old saying that “No matter how bad it is, it always can be worse” is exactly how this past legislative year can be characterized with the budget shortfalls, budget cutbacks, layoffs, reduction in forces, and furloughs.  However, there is another old saying that “It is not the size or density of the load we carry that breaks us down, rather it is the way we carry it” which I think depicts the attitude of whether or not we see the glass as half full or the glass as half empty.  In our current economic environment and our major objectives of saving as many jobs as possible and preventing adverse changes to our benefits, we should see the glass half full.   

Although active employees will not receive a cost-of-living increase for consecutive years, the standard health benefits will not be adversely affected for the same period and the TERI Program is alive and well for another year.  The Christmas Day and Christmas Eve Holidays will be observed on Monday, December 27^th and Tuesday, December 28^th while the Holiday Furlough Proviso was defeated.  State retirees will receive a 2% guaranteed COLA July 1 because the CPI was 3.4% on December 31, 2009.

It is projected that next year will be as trying as this year.  We will continue to deal with employee’s pay, employee and retiree health insurance, retiree pensions and others that are of major value to our members.  We are confident our Association will continue to effectively represent all state employees and retirees.

The following provisos are contained in the 2010-2011 Appropriation Bill that pertains to employees and retirees: 

80A.18—Military Service---A permanent full-time state employee who serves on active duty as a result of an emergency or conflict declared by the President of the United States, and performs such duty, may use up to forty-five days of accumulated annual leave and may use up to ninety days of accumulated sick leave in a calendar year as if it were annual leave.

80A.54—December Holidays---For state employees, the Saturday, December 25, 2010 legal holiday shall be observed on Monday, December 27, 2010, and the Sunday, December 26, 2010 legal holiday shall be observed on Tuesday, December 28, 2010. 

80A.55—State Health Plan Obesity Treatment Pilot Program—The Budget and Control Board, when establishing the State Health Plan of Benefits for Plan Year 2011, shall establish a one-year pilot program designed to address the problem of the high rate of obesity in South Carolina by providing for the treatment and management of obesity and related conditions through various methods including, but not limited to bariatric surgery as a treatment option.  The State Health Plan through the State Budget and Control Board must conduct this program as provided in this proviso.  The program will operate only in Plan Year 2011. 

89.114—Cost Savings When Filling Vacancies Created by Retirement—During the current fiscal year, whenever classified FTE’s’ become vacant because of employee retirements, it is the intent of the General Assembly that state agencies should realize personnel costs savings of at least 25% in the aggregate when managing these vacant positions.  Prior to filling a classified FTE which has become vacant because of a retirement, an agency must review and determine the appropriate salary for the position as well as determine whether the agency can manage without filling the position or by delay in filling the position.  Prior to filling the vacant FTE, agencies must follow all laws and regulations concerning posting and competitive solicitation and consideration or applicants.  No agency shall enter into any agreement with any employee that violates the terms of this proviso. 

A special thanks to Senator John C. Land, Clarendon County, for his strong support for and vigorous defense of the TERI PROGRAM.  His untiring efforts on the Senate Finance Committee and Budget Conference Committee resulted in no changes to this wonderful BENEFIT that rewards long and dedicated service. 

As always, your involvement in this very tedious political process is the key to our success

Contact information on any member of the South Carolina legislature is available at:

http://www.scstatehouse.net

(when you go to that site, click on "Citizens' Interests" to determine who your legislators are)

It is imperative that your voice be heard!

Click here to access legislators' contact information: http://www.scstatehouse.net/