October 28, 2011

Download this week's mp3 file

This is CCPOA's 5150 information hotline and today is Friday, Oct. 28, 2011.

CCPOA NEWS
Lay-off Notices – There has been a mountain of press concerning the estimated 26,000 lay-off warning notices that were sent out by CDCR this week. As noted here a couple of weeks ago, CCPOA entered into a statewide agreement with DPA to significantly reduce the likelihood of layoffs by getting people to areas that currently have a number of vacancies. Please see the memo from Chuck Alexander and the entire agreement which remains posted on the front page of the website under item #5, “Realignment Agreement.”

Legislative Update – The CCPOA Legislative Division has released its updated legislative report highlighting the various positions the association has taken on over 100 bills this year. The document also lists the status of the bills, whether they have passed, died, remain in committee, etc. We’ve linked it to the front page of the website for your convenience.

Corrections USA Appeal Filed – This week, CCPOA filed its brief in the appeal of the trial court decision in the Dawe v. Corrections USA federal lawsuit. The brief has been posted on the front page of the website for your review. The appeal is expected to take at least two years, but we will provide updates as additional filings are made.

Correctional Peace Officer Memorial / CCPOA Board Meeting – Today, the annual Correctional Peace Officer Memorial will be held at CCPOA headquarters at 4:00 pm. We look forward to seeing you there. Also, the CCPOA state board of directors meeting will be held at the Sacramento Holiday Inn, Capitol Plaza tomorrow, Saturday the 29th.

CAPITOL NEWS
Pension Reforms Proposed – Governor Brown announced this week that he would seek voter approval to reform public employee pension programs. His proposal includes changing pensions for future employees blending the current defined benefit plan with a 401(k) type savings plan. The governor has also proposed raising the retirement age for most state and local public employees from 55 to 67 and require employees to work 25 years before they can secure the full health benefits currently provided. Pension spiking at the local level would be curtailed, with pensions based on the highest three years of service instead of the single highest year. New state employees currently have their pensions based on the highest three-year average. As this proposal is developed and new details emerge, we will be sure to post the information here.

State Senate Re-Districting Challenges – State Senate Republicans sought to have the recently approved maps for senate districts overturned by the courts this week. The state Supreme Court rejected their arguments, but the legal challenges continue. A referendum on the boundary lines that are likely to reduce the number of Republican-held seats in the upper house is underway. Also, the U.S. Department of Justice has been asked by senate Republicans to overturn the new lines because the Republicans are now arguing that Latino voting strength has been diluted under the maps drawn by the commission that established the boundaries. We’ll provide an update on these issues as they develop.

NOTICES
CCPOA Benefit Trust –The BTF has new information about Open Enrollment on their website for CCPOA members. If you have any questions about your medical, dental or vision coverage that involves the CCPOA Benefit Trust, please contact them directly or go to their website, www.ccpoabtf.org.

For more information on private prisons, the latest news on parolee problems and up to date information on current topics, please visit the CCPOA website where we post the information as it comes in. Also, when staff assaults occur, please send a staff assault alert form to Nicole Gomez at nichol.gomez@ccpoa.org.

Thanks for calling the 5150 hotline and have a safe shift.