« Ethics |
Main |
Legislative Issues »
- During the 2010 Legislative Session, HB 827, raising indemnification for GDOT employees killed in the line of duty similar to State Patrol officers and others, was passed but was vetoed by the Governor. Currently there is a lower payout for state highway workers. This is an issue that GDOTEA has been pushing for for several years. You can read the bill, including language giving highway employees reduced benefits, that was struck, here. While it was a big step to get this piece of legislation passed by the General Assembly, the Governor vetoed the bill because it also expanded the beneficiaries to parents if there was no spouse or child.
- The GDOTEA has played and is still playing an active role in working for the advancement of DOT employees. The Association works for ALL employees, not just our members.
- Was instrumental in obtaining non-merit titles changed and an extra overhead step in the pay scale.
- The Association's efforts were vital in getting the 3rd and 4th longevity steps added to the old merit system pay scale.
- Worked to get an increase in the annual leave accumulation from 30 days to 45 days.
- The Association sponsors a scholarship program that provides scholarships to its members and dependents. The Cartersville Chapter awards two annual scholarships of $500 and $250. The $500 recipient then competes on the state level for a $1500 first place award.
- One of the Association's most notable accomplishments was the work done to pass a law that grants credit for forfeited annual and sick leave towards retirement for those employees under the New Retirement System.
- The Association currently hires a professional lobbyist to act as a liaison between the Association and the Legislature. This ensures that the Association's interests are presented to the Legislature and that these bills are monitored on a daily basis.
- Employees who are required to obtain and maintain a commercial driver's license initially had to pay a one-time $35 exam fee and a $5 MVR fee on an annual basis. Thanks in part to efforts by the Association, these fees are now paid for by the Department with no out of pocket expense to the employee.