Editorial by Bill Leibensperger: "Retirement System Seeks Members' Input"

ORC 3307.15 - not just a wish,
IT'S THE LAW!
----- Original Message -----
From: "molly janczyk" Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2005 2:12 PM
Subject: pg. A8: Dispatch: 11/15/05: Editorial : Bill Leibensperger


>
>
> "The Oct. 19 Dispatch Business article "Fight brewing over health-care
> costs" and Oct. 24 editorial "Time to face facts" brought attention to the
> effort by the STRS to control escalating health-care costs, to inform
> active educators about the need to prepare for health-care costs, and to
> propose a dedicated revenue stream for coverage of current and future
> retired educators.
>
> STRS and a coalition of employee, employer and retired professional
> organizations, known as Health Care Advocates for STRS, are conducting a
> series of meetings throughout Ohio to raise awareness and solicit input
> from active and retired educators. Discussions have been both fruitful
> and realistic.
>
> We hope to win the support of a critical majority of the system's
> contributors and beneficiaries before offering a legislative proposal.
>
> We are committed to maintaining a health-care benefit for those who have
> dedicated their lives to teaching, but STRS cannot continue to spend $1.2
> million a day for retiree health care unless the law provides for a
> dedicated revenue stream.
>
> We hope current discussions (see www.strsoh.org for a schedule) will lead
> to a plan to keep the fund solvent for the benefit of all educators,
> including those just starting to work in the profession."
>
> Bill Leibensperger
> Co-chairman Health Care Advocates for STRS
> Columbus
>
>
> A second Editorial by
>
> Jeff Crandall of
> Westerville
>
> "Teachers Depend on Sound Retirement Plan":
>
> I repond to John Brandt, exec. direc. of Ohio School boards Assoc., who
> said
> in his Nov. 5 letter that "educators have a higher level of retirement
> benefits than most."
>
> Teachers understand coming into this career that they will be underpaid
> compared to other occupations requiring the same level of education. Most
> teachers I know work other jobs to make ends meet. Our saving grace has
> been a quality retirement package and sound health
> care................................................Let's stop pretending
> that teacher retirement is a free gift."
>
>