In ACSS' meet and confer with DPA Monday, Deputy Director Julie Chapman told board and staff members the 5 percent permanent pay cut has been taken off the bargaining table. DPA is asking for the additional 5 percent retirement contribution, a salary cut of one day a month in exchange for a PLP day with no cash-out value (for next year only) and an additional 5 percent cap on workforce budgets (which would not affect employees' salaries). A few revenue-generating agencies, such as the Franchise Tax Board, would be exempt from the workforce cap. DPA also supports the two-tier retirement plan, with a scaled-back version for new hires only, and is offering to add a 5 percent step increase at the top of each salary range as mitigation. Read more in our meet and confer eblast.

ACSS' political action committee application is posted as a PDF under "Join ACSS" for you to print and mail in. Our PAC,led by Chairman Frank Ruffino, gives ACSS members direct access to the lawmakers who can make a difference in your salaries and working conditions.

ACSS has added a new button to its home page: "Legislation and Politics." With this site, you can now follow ACSS' political activity, the bills we're monitoring and hearings and other meetings we or our lobbyist will attend.

CalPERS' actuarial office is reviewing the assumptions used to calculate the cost of buying additional retirement service credits to see if the purchase price should be changed. The cost is based on such actuarial criteria as retirement age, life expectancy and future salary. The actuarial office will report its findings to the board in June. It is possible that these service credits – which increase the number of years retirement is based on – then could cost more. State workers won the right to purchase service credits in the 2003-204 legislative session.

The ACSS board of directors at its meeting April 17 endorsed Attorney General Jerry Brown for governor and Assemblywomen Alyson Huber of Sacramento and El Dorado counties and Noreen Evans of Santa Rosa in their bids for reelection. ACSS political action committee chairman Frank Ruffino attended the state Democratic convention April 16-18 in Los Angeles and met with Brown and several other candidates on ACSS' behalf. The association will make additional endorsements as they analyze the races. (Photo: Lou Delgado, SpotLight Photography)

ACSS board members met with Attorney General Jerry Brown, the presumed Democratic candidate for governor, in a private meeting in March. The group also attended a Brown fundraiser, and President Arlene Espinoza and PAC Chairman Frank Ruffino were guests of the AG at a small dinner. "He was relly interested in what we had to say," Ruffino said. From left: ACSS head Mitch Semer, Ruffino, Brown, Vice President Elnora Fretwell and Espinoza.

ACSS members: If you're planning to attend ACSS' quarterly board meeting in Las Vegas April 16-18, you have until Wednesday, March 31, to make your discounted hotel reservation. All Bally's hotel at 800-634-3434 and give them this code: SBACS0 (that’s a zero). You must be authorized by your chapter to have your expenses reimbursed.

SEIU Local 1000, the plaintiffs in the successful lawsuit to exempt non-general fund state workers from the furlough, has posted a list of the agencies that will be affected by the ruling.

CalPERS recently held two one-day forums examining the state of California's public pensions and analyzing ideas for ensuring future retirement security. The discussions addressed how to provide members with adequate and secure retirement benefits that are also affordable for employers. These discussions are now availble online. You can view them at http://www.calpersresponds.com/issues.php/California-Retirement-Dialogue.

CalPERS members' long-term care premiums are increasing this month. CalPERS, sensitive to the economic hard times for state workers, is offering options that will allow the members who want to save money to customize their plan, including decreasing benefit levels and reducing the benefit period . If you have questions about the increase, or to discuss the options, call a special toll-free number 888-877-4934 during working hours.

President Arlene Espinoza writes about Lobby Day and ACSS' political future in her newest Report.

In this critical budget year, it's important to get your Lobby Day message out to your legislators effectively. ACSS' Talking Points help you organize your visit and prepare your information.

For ACSS members, it's not too early to make your reservations for ACSS' next quarterly board meeting in Las Vegas. Dates: April 16-18. Hotel: Bally's, 3645 Las Vegas Blvd. South (800-634-3434 or www.ballyslasvegas.com). Deadline to get the ACSS room discount is March 25. The board meeting begins with committee meetings, including the new time for the Presidents Forum, at 2 p.m. Friday, April 16. If you are authorized by your chapter (under "Contact" tab) to attend, ACSS will reimburse you for your room and travel expenses.

From The State Worker blog: If watching the Olympics has motivated you to get back to the slopes, some Tahoe area ski resorts are making that a lot easier to afford. Boreal's "Frickin' Friday" deal for furloughed state employees offers $15 lift tickets on, of course, furlough Fridays (regular price: $47). Squaw Valley's $83 tickets are discounted to $49 on specified dates.

ACSS members, the deadline to reserve your room at the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza for Lobby Day is March 12. To make your reservation, call the hotel at 916-446-0100. Be sure to ask for the ACSS discount. Lobby Day, our prime opportunity to introduce ourselves and our issues to legislators, will be St. Patrick's Day, March 17. Training is the night before. Call ACSS at 916-326-4257 if you have questions. Watch our Web site Lobby Day page for information.