Welcome to this week’s CASE Files, part of our commitment to keep you up-to-date on our work to increase your salary, improve and protect your benefits, and to aggressively represent your interests in every forum where your employment and professional interests are at stake.
CASE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ UPDATE
CASE Prompts Swift Action on Appointment. The Governor last week appointed Jorge Aguilar as the new Delta Stewardship Council’s Chief Counsel, shortly after CASE redoubled its advocacy efforts to prompt an appointment. A CASE rank-and-file member had been working out-of-class for over a year for lack of a chief counsel. Though the Delta Stewardship Council provided the appropriate out-of-class pay required under the MOU, out-of-class assignments are not meant to take the place of permanent appointments and covering two positions’ worth of work was simply not sustainable for the CASE Member filling the role.
FROM THE FEEDS
Know Your Rights. Check out our continuing social media series on your rights as a state employee. So far, we’ve covered topics such as Official Personnel Files, Info on Probation, and Weingarten Rights. Do you have burning questions about your civil service rights? Let us know!
NEWS YOU CAN USE
- Governor Appoints New Finance Director. Department of Finance Director Keely Bosler departed this week, with Governor Newsom appointing Joe Stephenshaw as her replacement. The Department of Finance (DOF) is responsible for drafting the Governor’s budget proposal and monitoring state finances. DOF is a key player in contract negotiations for all 21 bargaining units, advising the CalHR Bargaining Team on budgetary matters. Incoming Director Stephenshaw was most recently Senior Counselor on Infrastructure and Fiscal Affairs for the Governor, prior to which he served as Staff Director for the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee.
- California Governor Gavin Newsom Signs New Budget Creating Nation’s First Tax Credit For Union Dues. “California is one of only a handful of states where union dues are tax deductible for state income tax purposes. As part of the new state budget recently signed by Newsom, California lawmakers have made that targeted tax break even more valuable. The new budget passed by lawmakers in mid-June and signed by Governor Newsom two weeks later will take California’s existing tax deduction for union dues payments and turn it into a tax credit capped at 33% of dues paid. Changing the deduction to a credit makes the union tax break more generous and benefits those who don’t itemize or have a tax liability.”
- Last week, the results of the June Primary were certified. Who is advancing to the November ballot? Check out the CalMatters Voter Guide for the scoop.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Your Voice Matters. It’s vital that the people of California – and leaders in Sacramento – understand what you do for them. Our fight isn’t just about improving your salary and benefits so you can better provide for your families and future. Our fight is about preserving California’s values – protecting natural resources, enhancing opportunity, and more. Share your story today.
Get Social. If you’re not following yet, check out your union on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
JOIN CASE TODAY! For now, CASE Files will continue to be delivered weekly to all Unit 2 employees, but our Bargaining Updates are delivered only to members. Stay informed on the important decisions that will impact your salary and benefits by joining CASE today. Join today.