YOUR URGENT SUPPORT IS NEEDED! 

Thank you for your continued support and hard work in the effort to resume retiree benefit increases after almost 20 years without one.  As many of you know, our legislation that creates a process for granting funded retiree benefit increases, House Bill 201, has passed the Alabama House of Representatives and is awaiting consideration in the Alabama Senate.  We are committed to securing final passage of that much- needed legislation.

Additionally, the Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee has approved ARSEA/APEAL's legislation that provides a 3% benefit increase for members of the Employees' Retirement System who retired prior to October 1, 2023.  This legislation has also been filed in the Alabama Senate.  This legislation DOES NOT require additional funding in the State General Fund, as it would be funded by state agencies through the retirement rate they pay to RSA.  However, due to the nature of the budget process, a new revenue source providing additional funding to the State General Fund would certainly work in our favor.

As such, I am strongly encouraging each of you, on behalf of ARSEA/APEAL, to contact your legislators IMMEDIATELY to voice your support for House Bills 151 and 152, which provide additional monies to the State General Fund through gaming proceeds. 

We are closer to obtaining a benefit increase than at any other point since 2007, but in order to make it a reality, we need each and every one of you to take action now.  The House version of this legislation specifically provides funding for retiree benefits, and without additional funding in the State General Fund, our chances of getting across the finish line decrease greatly!  PLEASE contact your legislators NOW and encourage them to support House Bills 151 and 152