Special Session Wrap Up
NSEA Perspective...
The 24th Special Session of the Nevada Legislature ended late in the night Friday, June 27. The legislators ended up voting for a package that will cut more than $250 million from the state budget for the remainder of the biennium. Education was a target for one of these cuts as the Senate and Assembly voted to cut $47 million in textbook and classroom instruction material. Most legislators hesitantly voted for the package and the NSEA Lobby Team worked aggressively to prevent more cuts that may have decreased teacher salaries or other benefits.
Leading up to the week of the special session the NSEA Lobby Team worked hard behind the scenes ensuring that the cost of living adjustment or COLAs were going to stay in place for the 2008-2009 school year. With gas prices at a record high and as the cost of food and other groceries continue to rise, it was imperative the legislature not cut the salaries of Nevada teachers and support professionals.
While it was obvious the vote to cut money for classroom materials pained many legislators, there was some hope due to the caveat of a tax trigger which may, in the end, return the money back into the budget. For as passed, if the Nevada economy begins to improve, the money that was removed form the Distributive School Account (DSA) for textbooks will be returned.
The 24th Special Session has set the stage for more cuts in the next Legislative Session coming in February, 2009. Your NSEA Lobby Team is already working hard to ensure the 2010-2011 Legislature will not decrease education funding throughout the state of Nevada.
Thanks to all our members who participated and reached out to the legislators during the critical time leading to the session. Together we made a difference and kept our COLAs intact.
Contact County Commissioners Today
Put room tax question on the ballot
NSEA, in conjunction with leaders of the gaming community, is proposing a ballot advisory question for an increase in the hotel room tax to benefit K-12 public education.
The next step is for county commissioners in Washoe and Clark Counties to agree to put the advisory question on the ballot in the upcoming election.
NEA President to Recommend Sen. Obama in General Election
NEA RA Delegates to Decide on Presidential Recommendation
National Education Association President Reg Weaver announced that he will ask the 9,000 locally elected delegates to the Association’s Representative Assembly to take a formal vote to recommend that NEA’s 3.2 million members support Barack Obama in his bid to become President of the United States. NEA delegates will hold their annual meeting in Washington, D.C., over the 4th of July holiday.
NEA Members to Address Tough Issues t Representative Assembly
More than 9,000 NEA members from every state in the Union will gather in Washington, D.C., for the National Education Association’s annual Representative Assembly. Delegates will find they have a full agenda as they make decisions that will guide the Association for the coming year and beyond.
PEBP Increases Rates for 2009
On March 13, 2008 the Public Employee’s Benefits Program Board voted to increase the 2009 rates for all active and retired non-state employees.
Depending on your years of service and number of dependants, your rate may have increased as much as $100 a month.
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Act Now To Reinstate RIF'S Funding
The President's proposed fiscal year 2009 budget eliminates the Inexpensive Book Distribution Program, which is the RIF Book Distribution Program. Unless Congress reinstates funding for this program, RIF would be unable to distribute 16 million books annually to the nation's youngest and most at-risk children.
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Nevada State Online Graduate Credit Program
Listen up members… Nevada educators, through Touro University, can now earn their graduate credit online in the comfort of their own home or office.
3-Graduate Credit Course
- NSEA Member - $700
- Non-NSEA Member - $800
- Length: Each course is 1 month in length
- Course Work: Participate in 8 online video based lectures, participate in weekly discussion board interaction, complete 2 projects, and finish the required reading
- Prerequisites: Bachelors Degree
Click here for more information.
More About Retirement Benefits
For more information on the Public Employees’ Benefits Program and on the new laws, please visit http://pebp.state.nv.us/.
To calculate your retirement benefit, please visit http://www.nvpers.org/public/gbeEstimator/index.jsp.
School Safety
Working together to fight crime
NEA and its affiliates are working to address the root causes of violence among students. Toward that end,we are sharing effective strategies to:
- Reduce and eliminate bullying and harassment
- Expand access to counseling, anger management and peer mediation
- Provide ways for students to communicate with adults about rumors and threats
- Develop instruction that teaches values like respect and responsibility, and expand opportunities for kids to work with adult role models in after-school education and recreation programs.
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