LEGISLATIVE ISSUES; ADVOCACY; AND, LEGISLATION OF INTEREST TO AFSA MEMBERS

THE AFSA PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS ENDORSED THE CREATION OF AN “AFSA LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE” WHICH, IN 2004, BEGAN “TRACKING” A FEW PIECES OF LEGISLATION OF INTEREST TO AFSA MEMBERS. THE INTENT AND OBJECTIVE OF THIS STANDING COMMITTEE, COMPRISED OF AFSA MEMBERS, IS TO SOLICIT AND OBTAIN INPUT FROM ANY AFSA MEMBER REGARDING SPECIFIC PENDING LEGISLATION THAT A MEMBER OR MEMBERS BELIEVES SHOULD RECEIVE SUPPORT OF AFSA AS AN ORGANIZATION AS WELL AS SUPPORT OF ITS MEMBERS.

• MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO IDENTIFY PENDING LEGISLATION THAT THEY BELIEVE SHOULD RECEIVE THE SUPPORT OF AFSA.
• A MEMBER SHOULD DRAFT A REPORT (OR BULLETS) TO SUPPORT HIS/HER POSITION IN RESPECT TO SUPPORTING (OR OPPOSING) THE LEGISLATION.
• SEND THE DRAFT REPORT/BULLETS TO EITHER THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE OR TO THE AFSA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
• AFTER REVIEWS AND SURVEYS ARE TAKEN – AND, IF APPROVED – A VOLUNTEER “TRACKER” OF THE PENDING LEGISLATION WILL BE ASSIGNED.
• AFSA MEMBERS WILL BE KEPT APPRISED.
• IF A CONSENSUS FAVORS (OR OPPOSES) THE LEGISLATION, A LETTER WILL BE PREPARED FOR THE AFSA PRESIDENT’S SIGNATURE AND SENT TO THE PRINCIPAL SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN WHO ARE SPONSORS OF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION.
• C.I.D. NATIONAL OFFICE WILL ALSO BE SENT A CC OF THE AFSA POSITION RELATIVE TO THE LEGISLATION.

To learn more about pending legislation and who your representatives are, visit:

• http://www.house.gov
• http://www.senate.gov
• http://thomas.loc.gov (How to follow the progress of a bill – Library of Congress Website)
• http://www.google.com
• http://www.seniorsleague.org
• http://www.nciss.org
• http://www.fedweek.com/content/hfi/index.php

Legislative items currently being tracked are:

• Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provisions (September 22, 2009)

All members are encouraged to contact their legislators and ask for their support of the AFSA position concerning these items. It has been determined that individualized letters, email messages, or faxes are by far the most effective way to get their support, and we strongly encourage members to communicate in that manner. However, for those who opt not to, the NARFE organization has been kind enough to let us use their Legislative Action Center website where one can identify their legislators and send a standardized email message. Their link is http://capwiz.com/narfe/home/.