SB1658 - Massachusetts

fire fighter said

If the Governor passes this early retirement incentive who will it include? Will it include police and fire fighters?

anonymous said

The NAGE website on 11/10/09 is reporting that they are discussing an ERI with the Governor's Office.

stateworker1 said

They want us to give concessions" During good times state workers get nothing and during bad times they want concessions. We have nothing to give! How can we give if we never receive" It would nice if this administration treated long term employees with dignity and respect for a change. We need an early retirement package today!

retired 1 said

ERI does not require alot of time to implement if the incentive is tied to specific time frames. eg. commit prior to 1/2010 = best package, commit prior to 2/2010 = less than previous option, and so. If you allow for someone to think there will be a better package in the future, it will never get accepted or implemented, people will wait and the economic situation will not improve.

earlyout said

Let's push for the ERI. Our agency has people sitting around doing nothing because there is no money for materials, equipment, projects etc. I think a lot of people would retire, some positions could go unfilled, and some filled at lower salaries.

anonymous said

The NAGE and MOSES websites both report that an early retirement incentive was brought up at a meeting with the Governor on 10/23/09. The Governor will decide today what budget cuts to make. Will he include ERI - I have my doubts as he needs to cuts jobs now and ERI takes too long to implement. However, I could see an ERI next June when the budget deficit is expected to be in the $1-2 billion range with more job cuts.

stateworker1 said

The politicians still don't get it....We need an early retirement incentive now!!!!

stateworker1 said

Any word on ER for MASS state employees" Revenues continue to get worse and FY2010 will probably be worse than expected. The state must cut their largest expense...the payroll. I hope they stop playing games and get serious.

anonymous said

The only way the Governor, Speaker, and Senate President are going to agree to an ERI is if there is a layoff of 5,000 or more state workers. That's what happened in 2001 under Governor Swift and again in the spring of 2003. The key as pointed out above is not to back-fill positions.

anonymous said

Gov. Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo issued a joint statement Wednesday saying the state will not adopt an early retirement incentive program as it has during past fiscal emergencies.

The three said that based on past experience, early retirement programs have not saved state and local governments much money and have proven costly to the state retirement system.

The reason this did not save money is because they back filled all the positions and MORE!
Give a ERIP and stipulate that not more than 1/3 can be filled

stateworker1 said

The private sector has been offering early retirement incentives for the last year. So have other states. I wonder why MASS is always last to get on board! ERIP would get rid of all those high salaried state employees and save the state money! I hope those Politicians will do the right thing.

anonymous said

I support this bill since I was thinking about retiring early from my state job to try something else, but I trust that the Legislation will do what is best for the economy. I believe that any savings now is good news for the State - even if it will cost the State a little more later.

anonymous said

I support this bill. Given the current fiscal crisis, it is time to rid the state of people of higher paid individuals and allow for younger blood to have their voices heard as leaders.

anonymous said

I support this bill. Would anyone have any information about House of Rep. bill 2633 also about offering early retirement incentives for MA Public Employees?

Charles Rowe said

Passage of this bill would mean higher salaried state employees could retire and employees closer to entry level wouldn't have to be let go. The state could save money too.

anonymous said

First of alll SB1658 was filed in the previous legislative session. The new ERI bill number SB1206 filed by Senator Tolman is for the 2009-2010 session. The National Assoc of Government Employees (NAGE) website is reporting that the bill had a hearing on May 4 by the Public Service Committee. They urge anyone interested to call the Public Service Committee, Rep. Robert Spellane (D-Worcester) at 617-722-2240.

anonymous said

I know that you will do the right thing! I am pretty sure that at least 12 employees from my agency will take advantage of this early retirement incentive.

anonymous said

I support this bill to cut payroll and government. No additional staff should be hired to replace these retirees.

anonymous said

I support this bill.It would get rid of long term employees who would retire in a few years anyway.When these positions are re-filled,the new hires would be paid at the bottom step,and they would also contribute to state reirement at a higher percentage.This is a win-win idea for the state.

anonymous said

Does anyone know what's up with this bill? This bill should have all groups in it not just group 1 and 2. We need to add all groups than get the bill passed.