Report on Jan. 16 hearing.

After six years of the social security bill to wipe out the offset and windfall provision, the House Ways and Means sub-committee on Social Security held the first hearing ever.

NEA and Bill Lambert brought Peg Cagle to testify. Peg teaches algebra and geometry at Lawrence Middle School. She entered teaching after having worked as an architect for 15 years. Peg told the Committee that it is almost impossible to recruit teachers in California and the other 13 states if they have to give up their earned Social Security benefits.

She also underlined the "offset" which deprives teachers of their social security survivor's benefit should their Social Security earning spouse die before they do.

The bill, HR 82 by Congressman Berman would cost $82 billion over a 10 year period.

Since the Subcommittee only hears bill but doesn't vote on them, the next step is to ask for a Mark Up before the full Committee and then a vote.

Lambert and NEA are currently meeting with the staff of Congressman Berman and Senator Feinstein to plan the next step.

Lambert is encouraged that HR 82 by Berman and Senate Bill 5106 by Feinstein can be successfully negotiated.

The petitions , over half a million, were delivered. The petitions drive must continue because members need to know that the public at large supports teachers.

We will continue to push for these bills and give updates as we continue.