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From YouTube: Government Operations on March 13, 2023 - Docket #0369
Description
Government Operations Hearing for Docket # 0369- Message and order for your approval, an acceptance of Chapter 269 of the Acts of 2022, An Act relative to Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Retirees.
A
B
C
C
C
C
Over
from
my
phone
to
my
computer,
my
computer
just
decided
it
was
a
good
time
to
crash
so
I'm
waiting
for
it
to
restart,
but
we
we
can
begin
now.
I
started
this
little
makeup
show
up.
Thank
you
to
Central
staff
for
managing,
have
multiple
hearings,
so
we're
going
to
go
ahead
and
start
now.
Good
afternoon.
Everyone
I
am
city
council,
Ricardo,
Royal,
chair
of
the
committee
on
government
operations.
It
is
Monday
March,
13
2023,
and
we
are
here
today
for
a
virtual
hearing
on
docket0369
message.
C
In
order
for
your
approval
and
acceptance
of
chapter
269
of
the
acts
of
2022,
an
act
relative
to
the
cost
of
living
adjustments
or
Cola
for
retirees
referred
to
the
committee
on
February
8
2023.
This
docket
was
sponsored
by
mayor
Michelle
Wu,
in
accordance
with
chapter
107
of
the
acts
of
2022
modifying
certain
requirements
of
the
open
meeting
law,
relieving
public
bodies
of
certain
requirements,
including
the
requirement
that
public
bodies
conduct
its
meetings
in
a
public
place
that
is
open
and
physically
accessible
to
the
public.
C
The
city
council
will
be
conducting
this
hearing
remotely
and
it
is
being
recorded.
This
enables
the
city
council
to
carry
out
its
responsibilities
while
ensuring
adequate
alternative
means,
while
ensuring
public
access
to
deliberations
through
adequate
alternative
needs.
This
the
public
may
watch
this
hearing
via
live
stream
at
www.boston.gov
city
council
TV
or
on
Xfinity
8,
rcn82
or
FiOS
964..
Written
comments
may
be
sent
to
the
committee
email
at
ccc.go
boston.gov
and
will
be
made
part
of
the
record
and
available
to
all
counselors.
C
For
those
giving
public
testimony,
please
make
sure
you
that
your
name
is
visible,
so
that
I
can
call
on
you.
Members
of
the
public
will
be
promoting
some
panelists
when
your
name
is
called.
So,
please
make
sure
you
click
yes,
when
prompted
to
join
as
a
panelist.
This
afternoon,
I
am
joined
by
my
Council
colleagues.
Council
president
Ed
Flynn
counselor,
we'll
see
Louis
Jen,
counselor,
Evan,
Murphy,
counselor,
Kenzie,
Bach
and
counselor
Gabriella
Coletta.
C
This
matter
was
sponsored
by
mayor
Wu
and
the
ACT
authorizing
this
message
in
order
was
signed
by
the
governor
on
November
16
2022,
giving
local
Retirement
Systems
the
option
to
increase
the
fiscal
year,
2023
cost
of
living
adjustment
or
Cola
up
to
five
percent,
if
accepted
by
a
majority
vote
of
the
trustees
of
the
Boston
Retirement
Board,
as
well
as
the
Boston
city
council.
As
the
trustees
of
the
Boston
retirements
board
meeting.
C
As
of
the
trustees
of
the
Boston
board
retirement
meeting
on
January
20th
2023,
the
board
unanimously
voted
to
provide
a
one-time
Cola
of
five
percent.
This
change
would
add:
26.6
million
to
the
unfunded
printing
liability,
resulting
in
an
increased
cost
of
5.4
million
in
fiscal
year
23
and
increased
cost
in
the
subsequent
four
fiscal
years
in
order
to
meet
the
scheduled
full
funding
in
fiscal
year
of
2027..
C
This
hearing
is
an
opportunity
to
hear
from
the
administration
and
Advocates
on
the
matter
before
us,
as
well
as
hear
from
public
testimony
as
chair
I'm,
going
to
allow
my
console
colleagues
to
give
brief
opening
remarks
in
the
order
of
arrival
before
turning
it
over
to
the
administration
and
The
Advocates,
and
so
we're
going
to
begin
with.
Council
president
Ed
Flynn.
D
Thank
you,
Mr
chair
for
hosting
this
important
hearing
on
Cola
I
have
always
been
in
support
of
a
strong
call,
a
raise
for
our
city,
retirees,
our
city,
retirees,
have
dedicated
their
their
life
in
making
our
city
better
better
in
serving
our
residents
in
the
time
of
high
inflation,
High
Cost
of
Living,
our
retirees,
who
rely
on
their
pension
to
buy
food,
stay
in
their
homes
and
live
a
healthy
life.
D
Increasing
the
cola
from
three
to
five
percent
would
be
a
big
help
to
many
retirees
as
a
city
council
that
represents
a
large
population
of
City.
Retirees
I
believe
that
these
retirees
deserve
a
raise
in
their
Cola
base,
given
their
contributions
to
the
city,
their
work
has
helped
keep
our
city
running
in
moving
forward
I'm
in
full
support
of
raising
the
call
it's
a
five
percent
grow
for
our
retirees
so
that
they
can
retire
and
continue
to
live
in
dignity.
Thank
you.
Mr
chip.
E
Thank
you,
Mr,
chair
and
I,
also
just
I'm
here
to
say,
I
fully
support
this.
What
is
a
modest
increase
that
will
have
a
significant
impact
on
the
lives
of
public
servants,
retired
public
servants
and
our
teachers.
Like
Council
council,
president
Flynn
said
a
lot
of
our
retired
teachers,
face
a
lot
of
obstacles
and
with
inflation
and
increase
cost
of
living.
E
So
I
fully
support
this
as
a
baseline
minimum
of
what
we
should
be
doing
to
support
our
retired
teachers,
and
so
I
want
to
thank
so
many
for
their
advocacy
on
the
starting.
Even
from
last
year,
see
Janie
Frank
is
here:
Marilyn
Marion,
and
so
many
others
who
Johnny
McInnes,
and
so
many
others
who
have
been
advocating
for
this
increase.
You
know,
are
the
cities.
E
We
do
a
lot
better
than
other
cities
in
terms
of
meeting
our
unfunded
obligate
liabilities,
and
we
are,
it
looks
like
we're
still
on
track
to
meet
them
by
2027,
so
I
feel
like
this.
Will
we
we
can
absorb
this
kind,
cost
of
living
increase
and
there's
no
one
else,
there's
no
better
group
for
us
to
do
it
for
than
for
our
teachers.
So
thank
you
and
I
look
forward
to
fully
supporting
this.
C
F
Thank
you
chair,
so
I'll
Echo,
what
was
already
said,
but
definitely
in
support
of
making
sure
our
retired
teachers
and
those
retiring
are
able
to
keep
up
with
the
cost
of
living
increase.
We
talk
a
lot
on
the
council
about
you
know
this
is
an
expensive
city
to
live
in
and
those
who
have
dedicated
their
life,
their
service
to
the
city
and
now
are,
on
the
other
end.
Shouldn't
have
to
worry
about
our
support
here.
F
Something's,
echoing,
but
here
in
support
and
know
that
I
was
at
that
meeting
with
over
at
the
btu,
with
many
of
my
colleagues
and
voiced
my
support
then,
and
will
continue
to
advocate
for
the
cost
of
living
increases
needed
for
those
retiring
and,
if
you're
on
listening.
Thank
you
for
your
service.
As
a
BT
member
for
over
20
years,
I
know
you
know
you
did
wonderful
work
for
our
students
for
our
families
here
in
the
city,
and
you
deserve
that
respect
now
on
the
other
end.
G
Thank
you
so
much
councilor
Arroyo
I
also
want
to
voice
my
support
for
this
I
think
we
all
know
what
the
real
cost
of
living
in
cruises
are
looking
like
in
food
and
fuel
and
just
across
the
board
right
now,
so
I'm
really
glad
that
the
that
the
governor
is
able
to
enable
this
and
that
it's
something
that
we're
able
to
accept
and
glad
to
hear
about
the
unanimous
support
from
the
Retirement
Board
would
just
say,
Obviously
with
this
hearing
like
important
for
us
to
just
present
that
information
about
pension
funding
to
the
public
as
councilor
Louie
genocide.
G
Obviously,
it
is
and
should
be
important
to
our
folks
who
draw
pensions,
but
we
know
that
we
also
have
the
significant
op
liability
for
the
city
to
sort
of
start
paying
down
once
that's
finished,
so
I
would
love
an
update
from
that
I
see
that
our
CFO
Ashley
Rottenberg
is
on
the
call
so
look
forward
to
that
presentation,
but
definitely
in
support
of
this
action
today.
Thank
thank
you.
Mr
chairman.
C
Thank
you,
councilor
Coletta,.
H
Thank
you,
chair
I,
am
on
this
hearing
to
say
that
I'm
in
full
support
of
this
increase
in
setting
it
as
the
floor
cost
of
living
increases
necessary
just
as
we
battle
inflation
and,
of
course,
as
it's
been
mentioned,
it's
it's
a
largely
expensive
city
to
to
live
in.
H
So
I
see
this
as
a
way
of
doing
what
my
wonderful
Council
colleague
from
district
7
says,
is
putting
our
money
where
our
mouth
is
and
paying
people
what
they
deserve,
especially
as
they've
given
Decades
of
service
to
our
children
in
our
cities
and
given
the
fact
that
we
do
have
a
strong
fiscal
buoyancy
in
our
pension
system,
I
am
again
in
full
support
of
this
and
look
forward
to
the
presentation.
Thank
you.
C
Thank
you,
counselor
Coletta,
councilor
Flaherty,
then
councilor
Braden.
I
Thank
you
Mr
chair,
obviously
it
as
stated
our
city,
employees
of
the
backbone
of
our
city,
and
then
our
neighborhoods
and
I've
never
missed
a
call
about
my
tenure
here
on
the
council,
so
it
enjoys
my
full
support.
I
wish
it
was
I
wish
it
was
more.
So
thanks
for
the
work
that
you
guys
do
and
on
behalf
of
retirees
advocating
on
behalf
of
retirees.
Thank
you
Mr
chair
thank.
J
Thank
you,
Mr,
chair,
I
will
adjoin
my
colleagues
and
for
support
of
this
this
this
action,
it's
really
vitally
important
to
support
our
retirees
in
an
expensive
city.
It's
for
getting
increasingly
difficult
for
folks
to
live
in
a
fixed
income
to
make
ends
meet
so
these
workers.
These
retirees,
have.
K
J
C
You
Council,
brain
and
I
will
just
say
on
on
my
behalf
that
I
support
these
increases
I
wish
there
were
more
considering
the
pace
of
inflation
and
where
we
are
I
think
five
percent
is
more
than
a
modest.
It's
just
a
very
slight
modest
increase
compared
to
what
I
think
folks
deserve
so
happy
to
support
this,
and
now
we're
going
to
go
over
to
the
administration,
which
is
Christine
Ware.
The
interim
executive
officer
for
the
Boston
Retirement
Board
is
here
and
Ashley
groffenberger.
L
Thank
you
Mr
chair
good
afternoon
counselors.
My
name
is
Ashley
groffenberger
I'm,
the
Chief
Financial
Officer
for
the
city
of
Boston,
thanks
so
much
for
having
this
hearing
and
having
us
here
today,
I'm
joined
by
Christine,
Weir
interim
executive
director
for
the
Boston
Retirement
Board
and
we're
here
to
say
a
few
words
on
the
item
before
you
today.
L
So
as
the
chair
mentioned
in
November
2022,
the
governor
signed
chapter
269
of
the
acts
of
2022,
which
gave
local
Retirement
Systems
the
option
to
increase
the
cost
of
living
adjustment
or
the
cola
for
retirees
up
to
five
percent.
During
fiscal
year,
2023.
L
in
May
of
2022,
the
Retirement
Board
voted
to
Grant
a
three
percent
Cola
to
retirees
on
the
first
15
000
of
pension
benefits.
This
was
planned
for
and
afforded
within
the
fiscal
23
budget
in
January
of
2023.
Following
the
governor's
actions
and
the
recommendation
of
the
mayor,
the
Retirement
Board
voted
to
increase
the
fiscal
23
Cola
to
five
percent
as
allowed
under
the
law.
L
L
We
estimate
the
fiscal
impact
in
fiscal
23
to
be
about
5.4
million
dollars
and
have
a
an
increased
cost
annual
cost
over
the
next
several
years
in
order
to
meet
that
schedule,
despite
the
significant
fiscal
impact
in
the
current
fiscal
year
and
over
the
next
four
fiscal
years,
the
city
and
the
mayor
are
mindful
of
the
impact
of
this
High
current
High
inflationary
environment
on
the
city's
retirees
and
therefore
we're
happy
to
support
this
and
request
your
support
and
Adoption
of
this
one-time
increase.
C
Thank
you,
I,
don't
wanna
folks
wait
longer
than
they
have
to
I,
don't
know
if
folks
have
other
places
to
go
as
far
as
The
Advocates
go
before
I
go
to
the
council.
I
want
to
give
The
Advocates
a
chance
to
speak
on
it.
C
Janie
Frank
is
here
chair
of
the
Boston
Teachers
Union
retired
teachers,
chapter
Marilyn,
Marion
chair
the
Boston
Teachers
Union
retired
teachers,
chapter
Alyssa,
Cadillac,
president
navasny
1526.,
Michael
O'reilly,
the
legislative
agent
for
the
Massachusetts
Association
of
contributory
Retirement
Systems
and
Johnny
McInnis,
the
political
director
for
the
Boston
Teachers,
Union
I
know
you
are
all
here.
If
any
of
you
want
to
make
a
brief
opening
before
we
open
it
up
to
counselor
questions,
I
think
most
questions
will
probably
be
directed
to
the
administration
but
Janie
Frank.
C
M
This
Janie
Frank
and
I'm
here
on
behalf
of
the
Boston
Teachers
Union
retired
teachers,
chapter
legislative
committee
and
as
the
facilitator
of
our
multi-union
stakeholders,
group
I,
have
to
begin
with
extending
thank
yous
to
chair
a
royal
Vice
chair,
Louisiana
and
members
of
the
government
operations
committee
for
letting
us
testify
today.
M
Thank
you
as
well
to
all
the
members
of
the
city
council
and
the
talented
people
in
your
offices
for
your
ongoing
support
of
retire
recoli
issue,
Coca-Cola
issues,
you
listen
attentively
and
respectfully
you
take
action.
Basically,
you
do
your
job.
In
brief,
you
demonstrate
that
you
get
it.
I
also
need
to
thank
mayor
Wu
for
her
support
of
the
increase
and
the
Boston
Retirement
Board
for
their
unanimous
vote
in
favor.
Today,
I
have
with
me
leaders
of
just
a
few
of
the
unions,
who
represent
the
members
of
the
Boston
retirement
system.
M
Collectively
the
people
here
represent
about
7
300
members
of
the
approximately
thirteen
thousand
total
number,
there's
probably
more
in
the
system.
That's
at
least
56
percent-
we're
of
course
here
to
urge
you
to
approve
the
acceptance
of
chapter
259
of
the
acts
of
2022,
the
legislature
and
Governor
Baker
knew
it
was
only
fair
that
this
one-time
increase
should
be
afforded
not
only
to
Mass
state
retirees
and
teachers,
but
to
all
members
of
local
government.
Retirement
Systems,
a
minimum
of
45
local
systems,
including
some
very
poor
communities,
have
already
voted
to
do
so.
M
So
we
know
you
know.
Now
is
the
time
for
Boston
to
do.
What's
right.
You
have
heard
our
voices
and
respect
our
right
to
seek
a
more
secure
future
retirement.
You
get
it
I'm
going
to
introduce
the
next
speaker
and
then
I
will
introduce
each
one
so
I'm
going
to
go.
If
my
hand
is
raised,
it's
because
I
want
to
just
go
to
the
next
speaker.
So
please
let
me
introduce
Marilyn
Marion.
N
Good
afternoon,
everyone
so
such
a
pleasure
to
hear
those
positive
statements.
So
please
indulge
and
allow
me
to
read
what
I
had
written,
with
the
hope
that
you
were
going
to
approve
this
measure.
So
I
am
Marilyn
flowers,
Marion,
chair
of
the
retired
teachers,
chapter
of
the
Boston
Teachers
Union
and
I'm.
The
president
of
the
Massachusetts
Alliance
of
for
retired
Americans
and
also
I,
am
a
member
of
the
Massachusetts
Democratic
committee.
N
N
We
have
had
a
history
of
successful
increases
dating
back
to
Mayor,
Thomas
minino
and
the
succeeding
Mayors
Martin
J,
Walsh
and
Kim
Janey,
so
we
have
over
3
000
members
of
the
retired
teacher's
chapter
of
the
btu
and
several
members
of
The
Alliance
of
far
retired
Americans
and
the
senior
Outreach
Committee
of
the
mass
scams
where
I
service
co-chair
I
am
in
communication
with
many
Boston
retirees,
most
especially
those
who
retired
over
10
years
ago
and
who
live
in
the
city.
N
N
This
is
a
small
increase,
but
one
that
is
necessary,
considering
the
high
cost
of
living
here
in
the
city.
So
we
have
to
keep
in
mind
we're
talking
about
retired
teachers,
nurses,
social
workers,
paraprofessional
psychologists,
firefighters,
police
officers.
He
sent
to
workers
all
who
have
contributed
to
making
education
work
and
who
kept
loss
and
safe,
so
I
know
I
can
count
on
you
for
this
Sport
and
this
increase.
Thank
you
for
listening
to
me.
M
O
I
figured
I'd
jump
in
because
I
figured
I
was
next
so
good
afternoon.
Everyone
thank
you
chairman
Arroyo
committee
members
and
counselors
for
taking
the
time
today
to
consider
docket0369
of
Reason
Nicola
up
to
five
percent.
My
name
is
Alyssa.
Cadillac
I
represent.
Ask
me
1526
at
the
Boston
Public
Library,
comprising
the
clerk's
Library
assistance
and
mechanical
and
Facilities
employees,
and
I'm
also
co-chair
for
the
public
employees
committee
on
healthcare
for
all
city
of
Boston,
active
employees
and
retirees.
So
we
are
here
today
on
behalf
of
all
of
the
retirees
across
the
city.
O
I
began
working
for
the
city
almost
30
years
ago,
and
one
of
the
reasons
I
stayed
was
knowing
I
would
have
a
good
pension
in
health
care
upon
retirement
as
I
meet
new
employees.
That's
one
of
the
areas
I
highlight
knowing
that
you'll
have
security
down
the
road,
except
that
isn't
the
case
for
many
of
our
retirees.
The
three
percent
Cola
increase
does
not
cover
the
high
cost
of
living
in
Boston.
I
know
plenty
of
BPL
retirees
who
have
moved
out
of
Massachusetts
because
they
could
barely
afford
to
support
themselves
and
their
families.
O
Even
then,
the
costs
are
too
still
too
high.
Individuals
who
retired
at
80
percent
over
30
years
ago
fall
well
short
of
a
living
wage.
With
today's
inflation
and
Rising
costs
to
Food,
Pharmacy
and
taxes,
many
of
our
older
retirees
are
not
eligible
for
social
security
benefits
or
Medicare.
If
they
are
eligible
for
Social
Security
they're
hit
with
a
windfall
elimination
provision,
otherwise
known
as
the
web,
and
if
not
their
gun,
their
pension
can
be
reduced
by
the
government
pension
offset
for
the
GPO.
O
If
they
live
out
of
state,
the
only
Health
Care
option
they
have
from
the
city
is
the
Blue
Cross
Blue
Shield
PPO,
at
a
cost
of
one
thousand
twenty
one
dollars
a
month
or
twelve
thousand
two
hundred
sixty
dollars
a
year
for
a
family
plan.
This
is
more
than
two
times
the
amount
of
the
HMO,
and
for
some
they
can't
afford
to
pay
for
the
health
care
they
were
promised.
O
Our
most
recent
MOA
on
health
insurance
collaborated
with
the
city
to
reduce
the
impact
on
the
city
while
minimizing
the
impact
and
the
effect
on
retirees,
but
even
so,
the
previous
costs
for
premium
costs
continues
to
rise
and
our
retirees
had
an
increase
in
their
premium
percentages.
Every
bit
helps
and
a
five
percent
increase.
The
cola
will
provide
relief
upon
retirement.
My
members
are
now
forced
to
take
a
part-time
job
to
defray
Rising
calls.
O
O
That's
a
conversation
for
another
day,
but
today
the
Boston
Retirement
Board
voted
favorably
for
a
one-time
increase
to
the
cola
to
five
percent
meru
advocates
in
favor
and
based
on
the
favorable
initial
statements.
I
believe
this
body
will
do
the
same
and
adopt
the
five
percent
increase
to
Cola.
I,
certainly
urge
you
to
do
so.
Thank
you
for
your
time.
Today.
O
M
Thank
you,
Alyssa,
and
the
next
speaker
was
supposed
to
be
John
Socorro
from
Cena.
He
is
stuck
at
his
doctor's
appointment
and
he
sent
me
his
testimony
and
asked
me
to
read
it
in
so.
If
nobody
objects
I'd
like
to
do
that.
M
M
While
this
honorable
body
has
changed
significantly
since
my
retirement
in
2016
the
opportunity
to
once
again
address
Union
concerns
now
as
a
retiree
is
greatly
appreciated.
We
are
here
today
to
request
passage
on
a
cola
increase
overall
based
on
fifteen
thousand
dollars
at
three
percent.
It
equates
to
approximately
thirty
seven
dollars
per
month,
raising
it
to
five
percent
increases,
raising
it
to
five
percent
increases
it
to
62
dollars,
a
difference
of
approximately
25
dollars,
less
federal
taxes.
M
One
thing
is
certain:
most
of
our
health
care
costs,
along
with
food
and
Necessities,
far
exceed
this
amount
on
a
monthly
basis.
Retirees
especially,
are
feeling
the
pain,
while
I
am
sure
this
body
will
eventually
and
unanimously
vote
to
approve
this
measure.
Please
note:
other
factors
are
still
out
there
that
our
public
sector
retirees
are
facing,
while
I
have
the
opportunity
I
wish
to
respectfully
submit
to
two
I
kind
of
to
two
items
of
concern.
First,
retirees
face
an
increased
burden
associated
with
life
insurance.
M
To
this
day,
certain
city
unions,
of
which
Cena
is
one,
are
still
being
selectively
discriminated
against
during
negotiations.
While
several
unions
have
provided
ten
thousand
dollars
of
city
life,
insurance
coverage,
others
such
as
Cena
get
just
five
thousand
dollars
acknowledging.
This
is
a
collective
bargaining
issue.
It
is
also
a
quality
of
life
issue
for
retire
even
in
death.
M
Second,
while
our
Massachusetts
Congressional
Delegation
is
unanimously
on
board
with
changing
the
web,
multiple
National
Democrats
are
not.
As
you
may
recall,
we
previously
received
annual
notices
from
Social
Security
indicating
what
amount
to
expect
upon
retirement.
My
estimated
amount
was
roughly
less
than
four
hundred
dollars
a
month
upon
retirement
and
forced
to
switch
to
Medicare
my
monthly
Social
Security
earnings
are
174
dollars,
of
which
162
dollars
is
taken
out
for
Medicare,
and
my
direct
deposit
is
twelve
dollars
a
month.
M
I
had
two
other
people
that
were
supposed
to
be
here
and
I,
don't
see
them
on
the
list.
Tom
McKeever
and
Joe
Smith,
so
I'd
like
to
move
on
to
Johnny
McGinnis.
Please.
K
Yes,
I'm
ready
greetings,
city
council
president
Flynn,
chair,
Ricardo,
Arroyo,
Vice,
chair,
Ruthy,
Louis,
young
and
council's
present.
My
name
is
Johnny
mckinster
political
director
for
the
Boston
Teachers
Union.
Today,
I
would
like
to
speak
about
docket0369.
Why
an
increase
of
three
percent
to
five
percent
to
the
cost
of
living
adjustment
is
important.
Our
Educators
prepare
students
for
the
future.
It
is
Educators
in
the
classroom
who
Inspire
ignite
curiosity
and
prepare
students
for
their
future.
We
can
span
anywhere
in
the
world.
K
The
Educators
I
am
referring
to
spend
the
majority
of
their
life
teaching
students
in
the
classroom.
One
thing
they
have
to
look
forward
to
is
their
retirement.
After
serving
a
prosperous
career,
educating
students
here
in
the
city
of
Boston,
they
look
forward
to
money
that
has
been
invested
for
retirement
to
live
healthy
in
their
retirement
due
to
laws
in
our
state.
The
category
of
public
employees
cannot
receive
the
benefit
of
Social
Security.
K
K
When
you
reflect
across
the
communities
that
have
families
who
have
gone
through
the
Boston
Public
Schools
working
in
every
field
of
human
endeavor
in
the
city,
our
country
and
in
many
places
across
the
world,
they
were
taught
by
BPS
educator
with
that
comment
that,
with
that
commitment,
now
our
retirees
deserve
an
increase
to
their
Cola
that
was
invested
while
they
were
teaching
students
in
the
city
of
Boston.
Thank
you.
B
City
council,
president
Flynn
and
chairman
Arroyo,
and
and
all
the
city
councils
who
took
the
time
out
of
the
busy
schedule
not
just
today
but
also
just
a
few
weeks
ago
over
the
BTU
when
we
met
I'll,
be
brief.
B
I
just
want
to
Echo
a
lot
of
what
was
said
today
by
everybody,
whether
a
city,
council
or
just
an
advocate,
you
know,
one
thing,
I
always
say,
is
whether
you're
from
the
one
percent
or
just
barely
struggling
by
on
a
near
poverty
level
pension.
B
You
know
one
thing:
we
got
us
of
what
fancy
title.
You
know
we
may
have
whether
you're
a
city
council
a
fireman,
a
cop,
a
teacher
one
title:
we're
all
going
to
have
in
common
one
day
is,
and
that's
the
title
of
retiree.
You
know
so.
B
I
I
believe
that
it's
imperative
for
us
to
and
as
a
city
to
every
chance
we
can
to
take
to
you
know,
take
the
retirees
who
who
this
city
I
think
was
Council
of
Flaherty
had
mentioned
earlier,
that
this
city
was
built
on
the
backs
of
our
retirees.
B
It
makes
it
such
a
great
City
to
to
live
in
to
work
in
you
know
my
opinion,
it's
the
greatest
City
in
the
nation,
and
it's
and
it's
because
the
retirees
and
the
leadership
like
the
city
council,
the
city
council,
that
it
is
that
it
is
as
great
as
it
is.
So
you
know,
I
just
want
to.
B
You
know
remind
that
this
is
really
just
a
two
percent
increase
on
top
of
the
three
percent
annually
that
we
give
it's
also
based
on
I,
know
the
CFO
had
mentioned
it
as
well.
It's
also
based
on
just
the
first
fifteen
thousand.
You
know
when
so
when
you
think
of
that,
regardless
of
whether
the
highest
paid
retiree
or
one
of
the
lowest,
you
know
this
Cola
raise
first,
if
it's
just
a
it's
a
one-time
time.
B
The
five
percent
is
the
one-time
thing,
but
it's
still
only
based
on
the
first
15
thousand,
so,
like
I
said
any
chance,
we
get
to
increase
the
quality
of
life,
whether
it's
through
the
cola
base,
a
coal
base
increase
or
just
an
annual
cost
of
living
increase
like
this,
we
should
take
that
opportunity
and
show
our
retirees.
How
much
we
appreciate
the
work
they
do
and
in
closing
I
just
remind
the
panel
here
as
well.
B
That
I
am
one
of
two
elected
members
of
the
trustees
of
the
Boston
retirement
system,
so
with
that
I
will
turn
it
back
to
Janie
and
I
appreciate
again
the
councils
all
the
time
that
you've
spent
on
this
issue
for
us
and
urge
your
your
support.
Thank
you.
M
Thank
thank
you
Mike
and
Mike,
of
course,
represents
the
firefighters
here
today.
So
I
just
have
a
couple
of
closing
remarks.
This
past
year
alone
has
seen
increase,
increases,
voted
in
and
or
granted
to
city
and
state
leaders
and
retirees
of
the
city
and
States
Social,
Security
recipients,
minimum
wage
earners
and
service
workers.
M
Sadly,
Boston
retirees
are
not
yet
included
in
Sharing,
The
Wealth.
You
can
change
that
because
you
get
it,
you
get
that
this
is
truly
an
opportunity
for
Boston
to
demonstrate
your
commitment
to
make
it
a
world-class
City
that
values
everyone,
including
its
retirees,
who
contributed
so
much
to
making
a
better
place
to
live.
After
all,
isn't
that
why
you
chose
to
seek
out
a
Council
seat?
Didn't
you
choose
your
job
so
that
you
could
make
a
difference?
The
answer
is
probably
a
hard
yes,
and
that
is
part
of
why
you
definitely
get
it.
M
So
many
of
our
current
members
of
the
Boston
retirement
system
leave
Boston,
as
somebody
said
before
after
retirement,
because
they
can't
afford
to
live
here
comfortably
as
costs
of
all
our
daily
needs
continue
to
Skyrocket
the
chances
of
retirees
being
able
to
age.
In
place
decline
exponentially
I
know
you
hear
this
from
your
constituents
daily,
you
get
it.
You
realize
that
inflation
is
certainly
not
a
reason
not
to
increase
Cola.
It
is,
on
the
contrary,
the
very
reason
to
increase
cola.
M
This
is
an
opportunity
for
Boston
to
lead
the
way
in
Massachusetts
by
rewarding
its
retirees
with
a
modest
one-time,
raise
of
three
hundred
dollars.
A
person
after
years
of
miserly
increases
over
34
years
from
1997
to
2023.
The
cola
base
has
been
raised
just
three
times
from
twelve
thousand
to
fifteen
thousand.
That
averages
out.
If
you
were
retired
back
in
1997.
M
to
2.65
cents
a
year,
isn't
it
time
to
respect
and
treat
retirees
with
the
dignity
they
deserve?
Is
it
now
absolutely
the
time
to
do?
What
is
right?
This
increase
is
in
your
power
and
we
are
counting
on
you
to
vote
Yes.
As
so
many
of
you
have
already
said,
you
would
I
know
you
of
all
elected
people,
understand
the
impact
that
even
this
small
one-time
increase
will
have
on
so
many
retirees
who
are
struggling.
Clearly,
you
get
it.
Thank
you
for
partnering
with
us.
C
Thank
you
for
that.
Hopefully
you're
not
done.
We
hope
we
keep
advocating,
but
thank
you
for
that.
I'm
gonna
go
to
my
my
Council
colleagues
in
order
of
arrival.
If
you
have
any
questions
for
the
administration
or
you
want
to
say
any
statements
and
support
council
president
Ed
Flynn
the
floor
is
yours.
D
Thank
you,
Mr,
chair,
I,
have
no
further
comments,
just
want
to
thank
the
panel
for
the
important
work
they're
doing
representing
their
their
members,
but
it's
about
dignity
and
retirement.
Thank
you.
C
Thank
you,
councilor
Flynn.
If
we
can
go
to
I,
believe
counselor,
Baker,
Council
Louisiana's
next.
E
Thank
you
and
I
wanted
to
say
thank
you
to
the
panelists
who
spoke.
Obviously
we
have
a
lot
more
work
to
do
when
our
retirees
and
our
workers
are
not
seeing
the
increases
that
we
see
in
the
cost
of
living
every
day.
E
So
if
you
know
it
is,
this
is
again
the
minimum
of
what
we
can
do
and
I
look
forward
to
continuing
to
work
alongside
you
all
to
see
what
more
permanent
fixes
that
we
can
make
generally
to
to
the
retirement
system,
to
make
it
more
friendly
to
make
it
more
friendly
to
our
retirees.
So
we
could
have
more
substantive
changes
for
you
all
in
the
future.
So
thank
you
and
thanks
for
your
advocacy
and
of
course,
I
will
be
voting
to
support
this.
G
Thank
you,
Mr,
chair
and
yeah
I
also
want
to
add
my
thanks
to
the
panelists,
just
not
just
for
their
words
today,
but
for
their
tireless
advocacy
on
behalf
of
retirees
and
also
union
members
throughout
the
city.
We
really
appreciate
your
work
and
I.
Always
think
of
you
know
it's
true
that
the
city
in
our
unions,
and
sometimes
our
retirees,
are
sitting
across
the
table.
It's
alluded
to
a
few
of
those
tables,
but
you
know
I
always
think
of
it
as
we're
kind
of
all
in
a
kind
of
loyal
opposition
role.
G
Here,
we're
all
trying
to
do
things
for
the
sake
of
the
city
of
Boston,
and
it's
really
important
for
the
city
of
Boston
to
ride
heights
workers
so
appreciate
all
of
you.
Ashley
I
was
just
wondering
if
you
could
put
on
the
record.
I
know
you
mentioned
the
5.4
million
and
I
failed
to
catch,
whether
that
was
for
FY,
23
or
fy24,
but
I
think
it
would
be
good.
I
mean
I
think
this
is
absolutely
the
right
thing
for
us
to
do.
G
L
Yes,
thank
you.
Councilor
back
through
the
chair,
so
I'm
happy
to
share
those
estimates.
You
know
the
exact
number
always
changes
a
little
bit
based
on
when
you
actually
make
the
payment
but
I'm
happy
to
put
the
the
estimates
into
the
record.
So,
according
to
our
actuary
seagull
for
fiscal
23,
the
increase
cost
would
be
about
5.4
million
for
fiscal
24,
5.6
million
for
fiscal
25,
6.1
million,
or
fiscal
26
6.6
million,
and
for
fiscal
27,
7.2
million.
G
Great
thank
you
and
then
that
fiscal
point,
and
just
confirming
fiscal
27
is
when
we
expect
the
pension
liability
to
be
fully
funded.
L
G
Is
correct
and-
and
those
are
all
numbers
above
what
we
would
have
been
paying
on
our
schedule
if
we
didn't
make
this
change
right,
that.
G
C
Thank
you,
councilor
Bach,
for
that
councilor
Murphy
I
see
you
are
online
I,
don't
know
if
you
have
anything
you'd
like
to
say
before
we
adjourn.
C
Go
once
going
twice
all
right,
well,
I
appreciate
everybody's
time.
Thank
you
for
the
questions.
Counselor
Buck,
the
only
one
who
actually
had
questions
specifically
to
this.
C
So
thank
you
for
that,
and
thank
you
to
the
advocates
for
taking
the
time
to
come
here
and
then
make
sure
to
advocate
for
our
seniors
and
our
retirees.
So
thank
you
very
much
to
you
all,
and
so
with
that
I'm
going
to
adjourn
this
meeting.
Thank
you.
Bye-Bye
thanks.