OHIO CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
UNION NEWS / FEBRUARY 1, 2023
Governor outlines priorities in budget, including creation of new agency
Yesterday, OCSEA activists and leaders watched with interest as Governor Mike DeWine gave his State of the State speech, which broadly outlined his proposals for the State of Ohio budget. That budget will fund state and local government agencies and programs, including staffing, for the next two years.
While there is still much not known about how exactly money will be appropriated and where, DeWine did indicate that the State is in good financial health and that he will make key investments in the well-being of children and families and in mental health and addiction services.
Some of what the Governor specifically laid out could have immediate ramifications for OCSEA Bargaining Unit employees, including: the addition of a new cabinet level agency focused on children and youth that will combine the resources of six other state agencies; AND a focus on mental health that would include the expansion of a crisis care system and increased access to the state’s behavioral health system.
These proposals could impact OCSEA bargaining unit members in numerous agencies, including Job and Family Services and Mental Health and Addiction Services. The union will be pouring over upcoming budget language and talking to state agencies and leaders about what all of these proposals could mean for OCSEA bargaining unit members.
As anticipated, budget documents show reductions in federal COVID relief funds, however, most state agencies show increases in their operating budgets, which is typically good news. In addition, state budget carryover balances (the surplus of unspent funds) are quite large, and the Rainy Day Fund is at capacity.
While the Governor did not verbally address the hard work that OCSEA state bargaining unit employees have done doing more with fewer staff, in his initial budget documents he does recognize the importance of recruiting employees in agencies like the Department of Youth Services, Ohio Veteran’s Homes and the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.
“Of course we are happy to see adequate funding, but we still have a big issue in state government, which is staffing. Unless the State invests in a major way in wages and staffing – and works with us to get those things done – this crisis isn’t going away,” said OCSEA Pres. Chris Mabe.
In the days and weeks ahead, OCSEA staff and leaders will be pouring over the “Blue Book” that broadly outlines where the state budget money will go. Go here to see those documents.
State agency directors are expected to testify about their budgets in front of the General Assembly beginning next week. To see their testimony, visit ohiochannel.org/live.
OCSEA Minority Conference is scheduled for March 17-18. RSVP now!
Registration is now open for OCSEA's annual Minority and Community Affairs Committee (CMCA) Conference, which will take place on Saturday, March 18 at The Summit A Dolce Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio. This year's CMCA Conference theme is “Inclusivity to Build a Better Community.” All OCSEA members are encouraged to attend and learn how union rights positively impact our minority workers and their communities.
The CMCA Conference registration deadline is is March 10. To attend, registration forms and registration fee payment of $125 per OCSEA member must be received by OCSEA by the March 10 deadline. Payment must accompany the completed and returned registration form.
Return registration forms and payment to:
2023 OCSEA CMCA Conference
ATTN: Angela Harrington
OCSEA, 390 Worthington Rd. Suite A,
Westerville, OH 43082
Visit OCSEA.org/CMCA to get more information on the conference, including hotel guest room registration information. All members/chapters are responsible for booking their own rooms for the event. A group rate is available. Room reservations are to be made directly through the hotel by the booking deadline of February 24.
The Summit A Dolce Hotel is located at 5345 Medpace Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227.
Take action! Tell Congress to repeal unfair Windfall Elimination, burdens on retirees
Take action! Tell Congress to repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). These outdated federal laws reduce earned Social Security benefits and reduce or eliminate spousal survival benefits, penalizing proud public employees who have dedicated their lives to public service. Nearly 2 million people residing in all 50 states are hurt by reductions in their Social Security benefits, including OCSEA members.
Tell Congress to REPEAL the GPO-WEP and support bipartisan passage of the Social Security Act of 2023. Tell them we need provisions that help public employee retirees and their families, not hinder them. Because of GPO-WEP, 25 percent of public service retirees will see cuts to their Social Security due to other earnings or pensions. Some retirees have even had their Social Security benefits cut to zero.
The bottom line is that the GPO and WEP provisions force many public employees to either work a lot longer or to retire and live in poverty.
The WEP significantly reduces a retiree’s Social Security benefit simply because the retiree is also eligible to collect a public pension—even if that retiree is entitled to a Social Security benefit from work in another non-public sector job;
The GPO deeply cuts and, in some cases, completely eliminates any survivor benefit a spouse may be entitled to simply because that spouse has earned a public-sector pension—even if that spouse is entitled to a survivor benefit based on their spouse’s work in a Social Security covered job;
Nine out of 10 public employees affected by the GPO upon the death of their spouse lose their entire spousal benefit, even though their spouse paid social security taxes for years;
These laws disproportionally impact women. Over 80 percent of surviving spouses impacted by the GPO are women, many are harmed by both the WEP and GPO, and many are not aware of the GPO until it comes time to apply for survivor benefits.
Members get discount tickets to Greater Cleveland Aquarium
Looking for something fun to do this winter? OCSEA members get 15% off tickets purchased online to the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. The Greater Cleveland Aquarium, located in the heart of Cleveland, features more than 50 exhibits of all sizes and is home to thousands of living aquatic creatures.
Discounts are available for up to four (4) tickets per transaction using Promo Code: Ocsea15 (enter at checkout). To receive the member-only discount, members must purchase tickets online at the aquarium's website ONLY. Discounts are NOT available on site at the ticket booth.
Ticket buying tips:
- At the ticket purchasing website, click on 'BUY TICKETS', then choose Daily Tickets button.
Select the date, entry time and quantity of tickets. Click Add to Cart & Checkout button.
- Enter the member promotional code OCSEA15 in the box provided and hit "Apply" button. Click "Checkout." Please note: The discount will show up in the final screen at checkout as "Discount" (on screen the price of tickets does not change, but your total will change). The amount saved will be included as 'Discount" in the blue Final Total Box.
- Enter your contact and payment information and "Pay Now" to finish your order.