Pending legislation reference retirees beneficiaries. IP: 71.180.172.221 Posted on April 13, 2010 at 11:29:36 PM by webmaster
March 29, 2010
Sgt. G. R. Smith (Retired)
Nobleton, Florida 34661
Re: Your Letter to the Tampa PBA
Dear Russell:
It was a pleasure speaking to you last week and I hope this letter finds you well. As I expressed to you on the telephone, I have a great affection for our Tampa Police retirees and I try to do all things possible to recognize them and their efforts. When I took this office I quickly discovered that the PBA was billing our retirees $180.00 annually. I could see no reason for that, so I dropped the billing to $36.00 annually, most of which goes to the Florida PBA.
I was approached over a year ago and briefed about the fact that retirees could not change beneficiaries once they left employment with TPD. That rule has since changed in 2002 and is no longer an issue for active police officers, but I saw the seriousness of the issue and moved it forward through negotiations with the City of Tampa during our 2009 Bargaining Session. As we speak, the bill is currently at the State Legislature in Tallahassee. It is House Bill 1163 and is being presented by Representative Kevin Ambler. Mr. Ambler has an e-mail address of: kevin.ambler@myfloridahouse.gov . I encourage you to drop him a line and tell him your personal story. I believe it is events like yours that will let this bill pass unencumbered.
Please tell other retirees about this pending legislation. If I can be of any further service to you Russell, please do not hesitate to let me know.