2006 Ohio FOP Convention

Dayton, Ohio

Conference Highlights

As most are probably aware, Brother Larry Deck passed away from an aneurysm on 07/20/06. This in a way overshadowed the normal course of business. Our thoughts and prayers go out to brother Deck's family.

Next years conference will be held in Independence, Ohio. The 2008 conference will be coming once again to the 2nd District! Dates and place to be announced.

Some news on the retirement issue:

Patty Kunkle from  Summit County Lodge #139 is our rep for PERS. She advised that starting January 1st 2007, there will be significant changes to the qualifications for disability retirement most importantly is the new requirement as to who will qualify. My understanding is that PERS will now award retirement benefits based on the percentage of disability much like Social security does, not the total disability due to not being able to work in law enforcement as is now the case. She advised if anyone in our dept. is planning on going on a disability, they will need to apply now and must be awarded the disability prior to 01/01/07 to enjoy the benefits currently in place.

Ohio Police and Fire pension system has submitted a plan to the State Retirement Board addressing the the problem of being vested for the 30 years. As of now they have assets that will only go 15 years. The State Retirement Board rejected their proposal. They (the State Retirement Board) propose that active Law Enforcement officers in the Police and Fire system contribute more for their pension, retire at the age of 54 instead of the now 48/25, and they propose to do away with the automatic 3% COLA now in place. As you can imagine, The FOP vehemently opposes this plan and will be opposing this legislation at the State House. I will keep you abreast as this progresses.

Some Legislation to watch:

HR147 Deals with the Social Security Windfall Act. We are trying to eliminate it in its entirety as many members of the FOP have worked and contributed to SS as well as their wives and are entitled to collect their full SS benefit. 

HB141 Deals with the Public Records amendment. We are trying to get the State to rule that law enforcement officer's records (specifically home ownership records on the county auditor's website) are exempt from this amendment.

HB272 Deals with converting non-LE time to LE time for our pension. This is very important to a lot of people in our dept. especially those who were treatment agents or CDs.

HB347 Deals with the CCW  law. Two main issues concerning this bill are:

1.)  trying to get language in this bill stating that police officers are police 24/7 and therefore entitled to carry their weapon all the time.

2.) A person with a CCW must advise an officer immediately upon encounter that they are a CCW permit holder. Curently, the only way we know is if we do an OLN or SSN check.

HB507 Testimonial Privilege: Would give labor reps testimonial privilege (they would not have to testify as to what the person they represent says).

SB336 Deals with who is qualified to run for Sheriff. Currently you must either have a two year degree or have been a supervisor for two years to qualify. This bill would qualify someone due to time on the job.

HR2177/S1783 Pension Bill spoke of above.