P O L I T I C A L
A C T IO N
MOTOR
INNS
(Formerly Holiday Inn)
745 Commercial St. SE, Salem, 363-2451
OPEU state employes spent a day at the Capitol lobbying for an interim study of
the State classification system. Here the group speaks with Ann Greenfield, an
assistant to House Speaker Hardy Myers (D-Multnomah). H.J.R. 38 would
require the State to conduct such a study.
Legislators Table Bill
to Close Mental Gnit
Legislation that would close the
section of Eastern Oregon Hospital
(EOH) for mentaily retarded patients
is dead, according to one of the bill's
primary sponsors, Rep. Tom Troop,
D-Bend.
However, substitute legislation that
would serve as a policy statement
requiring the State to reduce the
number of patients in large institu
tions and phase them into privately
administered, community-based fa
cilities is currently before the House
Committee on Human Resources.
While the substitute legislation—
H.B. 3232—does not set specific
dates for closing any state institution
or for establishing community-based
facilities, it would commit the Mental
Health D ivision to moving the
majority of institutionalized patients
to smaller facilities.
The bill calls for a “systematic
decrease” in the number of mentally
retarded patients in state-operated
hospitals and training centers and an
“ orderly development” of communi
ty-based facilities for treating these
patients.
H.B. 3232 sets no guidelines for size
of the community-based facilities and
provides no start-up funding.
Rep. Mike Thorne, D-Pendleton,
said that the Ways and Means Com
mittee rejected funding for H.B. 2828
largely due to its experimental nature.
He feels the Legislature will probably
reject H.B. 3232, because it “would
expose the state to untold legal
liabilities.” He said that attorneys
could make a strong case that
denying patients institutionalization
would be a violation of their civil
rights.
Rep. Thorne is a strong opponent
of both H.B. 2828 and H.B. 3232.
OPEU Government Affairs Direotor
Chuck Mendenhall said, "There is
considerable merit In Rep. Troop's
concept to provide the mentally
retarded with increased means to
enhance their independence.
“ However, Rep. Troop’s original bill
would have pushed patients into the
communities before facilities were
available. In addition, our research
showed that in other states were this
(speed-up process) was tried, there
were serious problems of patient
abuse and/or neglect.”
Retirement Measures Gain
Initial Committee Approval
Two major pieces of “ retirement
legislation” have gained committee
approval and have been sent to the
Joint Ways and Means Committee
with a recommendation for passage.
Legislation providing an immediate
cost of living adjustment (COLA) of
4.0 to 11.4 percent, depending on a
public employe’s year of retirement,
has been approved by the Senate
Insurance, Banking and Retirement
Committee. The bill—S.B. 843—also
provides retirees with an identical
COLA on July 1,1982. These adjust
ments would be in addition to the
yearly two percent COLA provided
under current law.
A second major piece of legislation
that effects future retirement would
enable all public employes to retire at
58, w'ithout losing money they have
accrued in the Public Employees
Retirement System (PERS).
A similar bill was passed by the
1979 Legislature, but it only applies to
certified teachers. This new legisla
tion—S.B. 494—attempts to bring
equity into the PERS program by
enabling all other public employes to
retire at 58, without suffering an
actuarial loss. Currently all public
em ployes, o th e r than c e rtifie d
teachers, must wait until age 60 to
retire without a PERS loss.
The Senate Insurance, Banking
and Retirement Committee has sent
the bill to the Ways and Means
Committee with a recommendation
for passage. But OPEU Legislative
Lobbyist Eric Parker says there is
concern about the bill’s chance for
passage in Ways and Means because
of its high cost.
However, proponents of the mea
sure argue that any additional costs,
due to early retirement, will be nearly
offset by new hiring. They point out
that at age 58 most employes are at
the top of their pay scale. To let them
retire early and to replace them with a
person at the lower end of that pay
scale, would nearly equal the
additional cost of lowering the
retirement age, they point out.
All new menu — Luncheon specials — Mon. thur Fri.
Nightly Lounge Entertainment Mon. thru Sat.
»*• Beautiful Motel Units with a State rate available.
Large banquet facilities for dining or meetings.
ALL OF THESE AND MORE AT OUR OTHER INNS.
PIERPOINT INN — Florence, Oregon
Lodging, Dining and Entertainment with a beautiful Bay View.
SWEPTWING MOTEL AND RESTAURANT — Albany, Oregon
Drive .in or fly in. Meetings and Banquets our specialty.
TAX S H E LTE R E D
DEFERRED
COMPENSATION NEEDS
PERSONAL SERVICE!
EXPERT ADVICE!
Just two items, but the two most important
details you need in your deferred compen
sation program.
Equitable Savings offers you both to insure
you get what you want and what you sign
up for.
ENROLLMENT OPEN MAY 15
THRU JUNE 30, 1981
TAKE A FEW MINUTES
AND CALL COLLECT.
SALEM
364-0135
uitable
PORTLAND
243-1421
Corporat
52 OFFICES TO SERVE YOUR NEEDS
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