NYSUT Retiree Council 23

End Gun Violence Now!

Support and Solidarity

Quinnipiac Poll Gives Gov. Cuomo Low Marks

FOR RELEASE: MARCH 18, 2015

NEW YORK GOV. CUOMO DROPS TO LOWEST SCORE EVER, QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY POLL FINDS; GOVERNOR LOSING SCHOOL BATTLE TO TEACHERS’ UNIONS

A tough battle with teachers’ unions over the future of New York State schools is taking its toll on Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who begins his second term with his lowest job approval rating ever, 50 – 39 percent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

This compares to a 58 – 32 percent job approval rating in a December 22 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.

Click HERE for the full article.

RC 23 Newsletters Online

Beginning with the RC 23 February Newsletter, the quarterly publication will be posted on the website. Click on the Membership menu and choose Newsletter to see a listing of available newsletter. Choosing an issue will download a PDF copy, which may be read online or saved to disk.

The RC-23 February Newsletter is ready for download.

#ProtectOurSchools Rally

If you are in the vicinity of New York City next weekend, you are encouraged to attend a large rally planned on Saturday, March 28th at noon-outside the governor's Midtown District Office, located on 633 3rd Avenue at East 41st Street. Download the Event Flyer.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – DENNIS FLAMENBAUM

NYSUT President Karen Magee has called for mobilization to support public education which is under attack once again by Governor Cuomo. Cuomo’s proposed budget for 2015-2016 comprises a frightful anti-public education agenda that relentlessly attacks teachers and hurts students. The under- funding of public schools, SUNY, CUNY, Community Colleges and trying to make permanent the undemocratic tax cap, along with a back-door voucher scheme for charter schools all drain financial support for public education. This may suit his billionaire packers, but certainly hurts public education.

Cuom

GETTING TO KNOW YOU – JOAN PERRINI

JOAN PERRINI was recently appointed as NYSUT Retiree Services Consultant in Suffolk County. This will be a new direction for her after serving for 9 years as President of Retiree Council 21. In this new role, she will be visiting all the Councils in Suffolk County to keep them informed of what is happening in our state as it affects education in general and retirees in particular.

In emarks to fellow retirees, Joan said:

Today NYSUT has more than 600,000 members and retirees represent 200,000 of that total. We have a strong voice and need to remember that we can make a huge difference when

Alert from NYSUT – Blue Cross Blue Shield Security Breach

Anthem, Inc., the parent organization of Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the hospital administrator for the NYSHIP Empire Plan reported an extensive security breach of their members' data. Names, dates of birth, member IDs/Social Security numbers, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and employment information of current and former members were impacted. In the coming weeks, Anthem will send letters to impacted members with an offer of free credit monitoring and identity protection services.

In the interim, direct inquiries to www.anthemfacts.com or 877-263-7995. The website