POAM Fall Update 2024
All the best to all of you from those of us at POAM HQ as we approach this holiday season! This has been a busy year with many contracts showing first year wage increases that we haven’t seen in years. When the cost-of-living increases as it has over the past 3 1/2 years (accumulating 20%), it hurts our members, as it does all others.
On the flip side of that equation, however, it means that assessed values of property can exceed the 5% max required by Prop A of 1994. This, in turn, raises property tax revenues to exceed what most had anticipated. Some significant changes in state and federal legislatures will have an impact moving forward. Ultimately, POAM will be here to study the facts and the impact that legislation has on the collective bargaining agreements that affect all of you. We are at your service.
Michigan Legislative Changes
This past year has seen some significant legislative changes, many of them accomplishing goals that had been set for many years. The elimination of income tax on retiree pensions led to an abundance of contacts by phone or email this year. A positive move by the Michigan legislature.
Additionally, the extension of Public Act 312 to our corrections and university officers was another goal that had been sought for more than a decade! POAM was at the table! We continue to press the state’s legislature to consider elimination of the 80/20% demand on health insurance premiums. The state cap on premium costs would be a more logical and consistent formula to follow.
Social Security Fairness Act
On a federal level, the Social Security Fairness Act, another long sought after correction, was brought to the House floor by Congressman John James (a POAM favorite) by a “discharge petition.” This causes a piece of legislation to come to a vote without the usual debate and on a set schedule. The SSF Act would eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). This would impact more than 4,000 POAM members. It passed the House on November 11, 2024, and awaits action from the U.S. Senate as I write this.
I asked our Lansing lobbyist, Matt Sowash (Michigan Legislative Consultants), about our process for political endorsement.
POAM has a robust endorsement process at the state level. To receive the POAM endorsement, there is a candidate questionnaire that must be completed by the candidate. The questions are specific to legislative issues that impact the law enforcement profession or would impact the labor relations that POAM has with its members. The responses are reviewed and discussed by POAM leadership. Additionally, POAM does outreach to our local bargaining groups to receive input on how our members view candidates running in their community.
POAM 2024 Political Election Endorsements
For the 2024 election, POAM made 40 endorsements for State Representative. 35 POAM-endorsed candidates won, and 5 were unsuccessful. POAM had nearly a 90% success rate with our endorsed candidates. Of our endorsements, 18 candidates were Democrat, and 22 candidates were Republican. Of the losing candidates POAM endorsed, 3 were Democrats, and 2 were Republican.
POAM will continue to be actively engaged in the political and endorsement process advocating for candidates that will stand up for law enforcement and protect our union rights.
2024 President Trump Endorsement
POAM was also the first to endorse candidate Donald J. Trump for president in Michigan. His support of issues most important to public safety made him an easy choice. Closing the border, restoring financial aid, and supplying surplus equipment to law enforcement, and his support for qualified immunity for first responders is extremely important to the public’s safety. In addition to Congressman James and Congresswoman Lisa McLain, the POAM made the right choices in the D.C. House. We look forward to meeting and working with all the legislators in the coming year. We are proud of our bi-partisan stance on these candidates.
****Note: The time to begin the process of recognizing those among you that have performed heroic acts during 2024 is here. Please begin reviewing those matters that you feel should be examined by the POAM board for this recognition. We will begin this process in January!
POAM CONVENTION
The POAM convention will be returning to Grand Rapids May 21-23, 2025! Registration will be online and begin in February! Watch your emails. Download the POAM app for push notifications.
Have a great holiday season!
– JT