may-june

MOBILIZING

6 CEA ADVISOR MAY - JUNE 2018

TEACHERS TO STUDENTS: YOUR VOTE MATTERS CEA helps launch voter registration drive in Connecticut high schools

CEA has proudly partnered with the Registrars of Voters Association of Connecticut (ROVAC) on a voter registration drive in Connecticut’s high schools that began May 1. The goal of the drive is to encourage students who will be 18 years of age on or before Election Day—November 6—to register to vote, and because teachers play a significant role in their students’ academic, social, and civic engagement, CEA members are a key part of the effort. High school teachers throughout the state have been distributing “Register to Vote” stickers,

produced by CEA, featuring a web address— cea.org/vote —that takes students directly to the State of Connecticut’s Online Voter Registration System. Their voice, their vote Speaking at the ROVAC spring conference on April 27, CEA President Sheila Cohen observed, “Teachers know the importance of voting, whether the election involves the budget for our local town or a national education policy in a presidential election. We also know that it often takes a few years of being out of school and working in the community before people see the

important connection between voting and what happens in their town, state, and country.” Indeed, although young people make up a large share of the voting- eligible population, they are often underrepresented at the polls. Cohen added, however, that this new generation “just might be different.” Encouraged by student activism on a variety of issues this year, she pointed out, many young people are seeing the connection between voting and empowerment. And teachers are helping facilitate that understanding. “We teach students how to think critically, stand up for themselves, and communicate with civility and persuasion,” said Cohen. “We celebrate when our students think about the world around them, find their voice, and speak out, and part of what we teach them is that voting is the cornerstone of democracy. We want students to understand that the polls can be a place to transform their hopes, dreams, and priorities into action.” Lifelong learners, voters The nonpartisan voter registration drive, led by teachers and local registrars, seeks to ensure that students become fully enfranchised citizens who make their own choice and participate in

elections on their terms. CEA Executive Director Donald Williams noted that young people who register to vote as soon as they are eligible are more likely to vote that first time—and more likely to keep voting in the future. “We hope that by working together on the voter registration drives in our schools, our efforts will result in enrolling as many new voters as possible,” Williams said. Cohen added, “We want voting to be a lifelong habit that begins when students turn 18.” Retired Simsbury teachers Susan and Michael Day, Barkhamsted’s registrar and deputy registrar of voters, are grateful for CEA’s stickers encouraging students to register to vote.

Registrars eagerly collect packets containing CEA’s “Register to Vote” stickers.

RETIRED TEACHERS’ LOBBYING EFFORTS PAY OFF Millions in healthcare funding restored

“I always tell my colleagues, ‘Never go up against retired teachers,’” Representative Matthew Lesser told a crowd of retired educators. “You guys are smart and have a lot of time on your hands.” More than 200 retired Connecticut educators converged on the Legislative Office Building for Retired Teachers’ Lobby Day in April to meet with Lesser and dozens of other elected officials about issues important to retired educators and public education. The event, which included CEA- Retired, the Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut (ARTC), and AFT Connecticut, brought longtime educators and legislators face to face to discuss issues important to both retired and active teachers. And their activism paid off. “Those of you who went to Retired Lobby Day, who reached out to your legislators, I can’t thank you enough,” CEA Executive Director Donald Williams told members of CEA-Retired at their annual spring meeting. “You made a tremendous difference and had a big impact on the legislature this year.” How big a difference? In the budget that passed the Connecticut General Assembly, legislators designated $35 million for the Retired Teachers’ Health Insurance Fund—contributing their full share for the first time in many years. While the state is supposed to contribute one-third of the fund’s actuarially required amount (with retired teachers and active teachers each contributing one-third as well), the state has not been funding its share recently—putting the fund on

Rep. Matthew Lesser addresses over 200 retired educators at Retired Teachers’ Lobby Day.

CEA-Retired Vice President Bill Murray and CEA-Retired member Joseph Jankowski wait to talk to their legislators. public pensions. Look for candidates who are going to support us.” Legislators share concerns At Retired Teachers’ Lobby Day, Rep. Antonio Guerrera told teachers, “I am with you 110 percent. As legislators, we have dropped the ball when it comes to fully funding your retirement. Many of my colleagues now have an opportunity to put that money back where it should be.” “This is your building,” added House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz. “Share your thoughts and ideas. We do take them to heart.” Retired teachers did just that, scheduling face-to-face meetings with their lawmakers, telling their personal stories, and holding elected officials to account. Their presence made a difference. “I urge you to continue to stay in touch with your legislators,” said CEA-Retired President Gloria Brown. “When we talk to them, things happen.”

the precipice of bankruptcy. “We went from having 9 percent to 33 percent of our healthcare paid for this year—that’s a huge success,” said CEA-Retired Legislative Committee Co-Chair Myles Cohen. “Full state funding for the Retired Teachers’ Health Insurance Fund has been one of our top priorities in recent years,” Williams agreed, thanking CEA-Retired members for their hard work.

Cohen urged retired teachers to keep the conversation going and keep the pressure on. “We can’t just sit by,” he said. “We need to be more focused on voting for candidates who support our healthcare and our pensions. Whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, with the primaries coming up this August it’s essential to look at where candidates stand on our issues. There are candidates for governor who want to eliminate

More than a dozen retired educators talked to Senator Mae Flexer about their health insurance and the need to roll back the teacher tax.