taken from the May 2002 AAUP AZ Advocate

Arizona Retiree Advocacy Groups

by Wayburn S. Jeter

The activities of the Arizona State Retirement System and the Arizona Legislature are monitored constantly by several organizations. The University of Arizona Retirees Association has a legislative committee whose members attend the meetings of the ASRS Board and track the bills introduced in the Legislature. Committee members attend legislative hearings and frequently testify for or against measures concerning retirement issues. They also contact legislators and may solicit telephone or E-mail communications by large groups of association members for or against legislation. Also, before each legislative session, the Committee decides whether new legislation needs to be introduced to enhance benefits or to solve other problems.

The chairman of the UARA Legislative Committee is a registered, unpaid principal lobbyist, and each committee member is registered as a lobbyist for retiree interests.

In addition, the UARA is a member of the Coalition of Arizona State Retiree Associations. The Coalition monitors retiree affairs in the Legislature and at the national level. Its membership includes the All Arizona School Retirees Association, the Arizona Education Association- Retired, the Maricopa County Community College Retirees, the Arizona Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees as well as the retiree associations of the three state universities. Together, these organizations create a strong advocacy group for State of Arizona retirees.