VOTE COPE

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 VOTE-COPE, the non-partisan, political action fund for NYSUT, will be crucial this election year for all educators as well as parents, students, and retirees. Each and every one of us has the ability to affect change. By giving to VOTE-COPE, either through payroll deduction or with a check, we put our influence behind legislators who have our best interests at heart. In the 2006 election year, "VOTE-COPE played a key role in electing a new Congress. . .state races for the governor, attorney general, the comptroller and the state legislature overwhelmingly went the way of NYSUT-endorsed candidates."

RECENT VOTE/COPE VICTORIES Eliminate 30 day waiting period, CHAPTER 661 This legislation allows members of the New York City Teacher’s Retirement System to change their retirement option(s) up to 30 days after their date of retirement. Currently, a member can change his or her retirement option selections no later than the last day of the month in which his or her retirement occurs. Lump sum payment, CHAPTER 167 This legislation allows retired members of the New York Teacher’s Retirement System receiving $2,400 or less in annual benefits to elect to receive the actuarial equivalent in a one-time lump sum payment. Currently, the one-time lump sum payment is made only for benefits of $1,000 per annum or less. Certified mailing date for retirement filing, CHAPTER 248 This legislation authorizes the New York State Teacher’s retirement System Retirement Board to allow its members to establish their filing date for member benefit purposes using postal service forms that are equivalent to registered or certified mail. The date of the postal service forms as well as registered or certified mailing shall be deemed the date of filing for all retirement benefit purposes. ARTICLE 19 (2000) Tier I & II members get an extra month of retirement credit for each year of service up to 24 years.Tier III & IV members cease contributions of 3% after 10 years of service. Prior Service *Allows members of the New York State Public retirement system to receive credit for prior New York State service which predated membership and would have been creditable at the time service was rendered. *Enables all tiers to have prior service credited (with appropriate payment, if applicable) after 2 years of membership service.Effective Date:  October 31, 2000  What’s in it for us…(at the local level) VOTE/COPE helps strengthen political action on all levels:  Local, State and National VOTE/COPE provides rebates to localsOf all VOTE/COPE MONIES COLLECTED:     20% rebated for local assistance programs     20% rebated for local educational issue campaigns    

  40% Total!

 GIVE to VOTE/COPETo continue to fight to: ·          Improve pension benefits·          Provide and protect retiree health insurance·       Insur e a retirement with dignity 

In the past, VOTE-COPE was instrumental in achieving the following goals:

• 12 months pension credit for 10 months service

• an elimination of the 3 percent contribution toward pension after 10 years of service

• health and safety protections

• numerous bond acts for construction across the state

• permanent School Related Professionals Recognition Day

VOTE-COPE is voluntary. Please when your program representative approaches you and asks for your help to make a difference this year, make the commitment for yourself and others throughout our district, the state and the nation. Voluntary contributions to VOTE-COPE rose 4% this year and beat last year's campaign by over $286,000.00.  VOTE-COPE goes up against well-funded corporations who work to dismantle public education, health care and other services.  VOTE-COPE is hoping to get pro-education and pro-labor candidates elected this fall.  The largest expenditure of VOTE-COPE funds is in rebates to locals.  VOTE-COPE is growing in every region; it is our turn to help out this year.  Why not just make a contribution of 25 or 50 cents out of your paycheck; it makes such a difference if we work as a team in our contributions.  NYSUT has just kicked off its 2008 campaign; our local motto has always been that there is strength in numbers.  This is new to our area, since we have not pushed for VOTE-COPE contributions in the past but you will be hearing a lot more about it in the future.  ContactLinda Woods at lwoods8@twcny.rr.com if you want any information or if you would like to contribute.