March 20, 2019

Dear Chapter Presidents and Members:

With springtime and warmer weather upon us, I hope all had a good winter. I assume all our snowbirds who travel to the warmer weather have returned home. I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to the summer and all the barbecues, picnics and other great events that we all enjoy. I'm not rushing the spring and summer time, but I always look forward to our National Convention. So, save the dates for our September 8-10, 2019, 30th Annual Convention being held at Villa Roma Resort.

Below is legislation being supported by the National NYCPD 10-13 Organizations, Inc., for the 2019-2020 legislative session. The obligation and the focus of the National is to support legislation which helps benefit our members and their families. As you are aware, for the past decade we have rigorously submitted Health Protection legislation. This is one of the most important pieces of legislation for our members and their families. Even though we are protected by NYC's Administrative Code, intro 580, which gives us protection for our Health Insurance and Medicare Reimbursement, it only takes the Mayor and the NYC Council a strike of the pen to change these laws. This has already been done to NYS retirees, by changing the Civil Service Laws. It also has been done in other states and cities throughout the country. As I have reported recently, the MLC agreed to generate Cumulative Healthcare, saving 1.1 billion over the NYC fiscal years 2019 through 2021. One of the costs saving they are discussing is Amendment of Medicare Part B Reimbursement...BEWARE!!

It's important for us to support this type of legislation, as that would set a precedent to protect retirees who were guaranteed these benefits. Upon retirement, retirees can no longer negotiate or have a voice through collective bargaining. Their only resource of protection is through their elected officials. It is important that the National be involved with the Alliance of Public Retirees of New York, which includes other NYS and NYC Retiree groups. It's also important that we visit with legislators and communicate through Memoranda of Support to make sure our voice is heard.

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

Lobby Day is scheduled for April 9, 2019. Presently, the National NYCPD 10-13 Association supports the below bills.

HEALTH BENEFITS PROTECTION BILL - Protects benefits we earned upon retirement.

SPONSORED BY:

VETERANS SUPPLEMENTATION BILL (RETIREES)

SPONSORED BY:

COLA ENHANCEMENT BILLS (SIX)

SPONSORED BY:

*NOTE: Senator Gounardes is the new Chairman of Civil Service and Pensions Committee. All the above Bills must come out if his committee to move forward.

*NOTE: Assemblyman Abbate is the Chairman of the Government Employees Committee. All our Bills must also come out of his committee to move forward.

**Senator Stewart Cousins and Assemblyman Heastie must approve all bills to move forward for Governor Cuomo to sign the bills into law.

Some of the above-mentioned Bills have not yet been numbered or gone through the Committee process. At this point, the only way we will see these Bills voted on and sent to the Governor, is if we make the sponsors of the Bills aware of how important the Bills are not only tour membership but to all retirees and veterans.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!! In order to make the sponsors aware, we ask that each National NYCPD 10-13 member CALL the individual sponsors, Senator Stewart-Cousins and Assemblyman Carl Heatsie. The call can be "short and sweet". Just mention that you are a member of the National NYCPD 10-13 Organization, as well as a member of the Alliance of Public Retirees Organization of New York. State the importance of the Bill to all retirees and veterans and the need of the sponsors' support.

In addition, we ask that you call your district Senator and Assembly Representative and ask them to co-sponsor the above Bills.

Please make the calls. The more calls the sponsors receive the better chance we have in getting the Bills passed. Remember, there is strength in numbers! These Bills will benefit all of us. If we don't actively stand-up for ourselves, Who Will??

If you have any family or friends that reside in the above Senators and Assemblymen's districts, please ask them to also call them at their district offices.

Fraternally,

Frank Martarella

Cc: National Board of Directors