Retired Employees Association of Orange County: News

In the News

LITIGATION UPDATE

REAOC’s second appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal is in progress. Our attorneys filed REAOC’s opening brief on March 19th. The county will file its opposition brief on April 19th and REAOC will file a reply brief on May 3rd. Following submittal of all briefs, the Ninth Circuit will schedule a hearing. We have posted the REAOC Opening Brief for your review and highly recommend reading the entire document. The brief expertly presents comprehensive, historical facts and legal arguments.

Click here to read the REAOC Brief

For a chronological listing of the major activities and updates during the past several years regarding the litigation, please click on the "Legal Update" tab located under the American flag.

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SIGNIFICENT COURT RULING

In 2008 the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted to appreciably cut health care benefits for retirees. Subsequently, a lawsuit was filed by 1,500 retired Sonoma County employees who said the County violated their rights when the County took this action. The district court dismissed the suit stating the County had never expressly promised to continue covering retiree’s health benefits for life. The Sonoma retirees appealed the lower court’s decision. Early this week the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Sonoma retirees’ lawsuit should not have been dismissed and should be allowed to proceed in the trial court in San Francisco. In reaching that ruling, the court relied almost exclusively on the precedent established by REAOC’s victory in the California Supreme Court in November 2011. We expect this new decision will be very helpful in REAOC’s current appeal in the Ninth Circuit and also in the class action lawsuit. To review the Sonoma County Association of Retirees’ ruling, please click on the link below.

Sonoma County Association of Retiree's Lawsuit Ruling

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COLA APPROVED BY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

The Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) Board of Retirement approved the 2013 cost of living adjustment of 2 percent at its regular meeting on February 19, 2013. Retirees will see an increase on their May 1, 2013 check that reflects the Cost of Living Adjustment. To see more information on the COLA that will be granted, please click on the link below.

OCERS COLA Information

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THE NEW GUIDE FOR SENIORS IS NOW AVAILABLE

The new guide for seniors is now available from the Orange County Council on Aging. Click on the link below to read this helpful guide. This guide lists many resources for seniors in Orange County and includes helpful Medicare comparison charts, housing alternatives, community resources, entertainment options, etc.

Senior Guide for Orange County

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IN THE NEWS

Contra Costa Retirees May Have Benefits Case

SAN FRANCISCO (CN) - A northern California county cannot avert claims over its alleged attempt to stop providing retirees with health care, a federal judge ruled. The Retiree Support Group of Contra Costa County sufficiently alleged that a contract existed in which Contra Costa County agreed to pay 80 percent of health care benefits to retirees and their dependents associated with at least one plan for the lifetime of the retirees, according to the ruling. In a February 2012 complaint, the support group said its workers "gave up wage increases and other employment benefits in order to receive [the] health care benefits," but that the county capped contributions at a flat dollar amount in 2010 and said it would pass on the increased cost of health care to the retirees. (More)

Orange County to appeal $147 million tax ruling

Orange County will appeal a judge's ruling that it must repay 147 mln to the state in a tax fight. The Orange County Register says county supervisors made that decision Tuesday. A county judge last week ruled that the county must turn over tens of millions of dollars in property tax money it withheld for several years to cover reduced state funding from vehicle tax fees. The money would have gone into a state fund for schools and community colleges. (More)

Commentary: Orange County Supes are dismissive of Grand Jury reports

On June 30, 1982, in a letter to the Board of Supervisors , the '81-'82 Orange County Grand Jury referred to the "clanging chains" of that "bureaucracy" in reference to a broken promise made to this jury by the board concerning their lack of response to all Grand Jury final reports within a 60-day time frame. Now, when reading the many news reports over the past several years about our county's many missteps, it would seem that the supervisorial "chains" continue to "clang," and that there has been very little oversight by our elected board members, especially in the areas of conflict of interest, cover-ups, harassment and abuses of authority. (More)

REAOC Board Welcomes You! Pictured Left to Right: Bob Griffith, Frank Madrigal, Gaylan Harris, Sara Ruckle Harms, Doug Storm, Linda Robinson, June Marcott, and John LaRoche Luncheon Committee Pictured Left to Right: Co-President Doug Storm, Sharon Sedgwick, Co-President Linda Robinson, and John LaRoche Scholarship Committee Pictured Left to Right: Co-President Linda Robinson, June Marcott, Janis Forster, Kathleen Mattivi, and Co-President Doug Storm Board Watch Committee Pictured Left to Right: Linda Robinson, June Marcott, Norma Roberts, Ilene Barcenas, Arlene Sontag, Ric Mendoza, Doug Storm Office Manager Ilene Barcenas

Quick List • The Informer Newsletter • Luncheons • 2013 Calendar • 2013 Events • OCERS Payment Schedule • Get Involved! • Forms • Scholarships • Useful Websites • Photo Gallery Benefit Resources • OCERS • OC Medical Benefit Center • Health Plans and Rates • PGA Dental/Vision • OCEA - Dental/Vision • HearPO - Hearing Srvcs • Social Security • Medicare • Dept. of Veterans' Affairs • Council on Aging • Consumer Credit Counseling Services of OC	In the News LITIGATION UPDATE REAOC’s second appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal is in progress. Our attorneys filed REAOC’s opening brief on March 19th. The county will file its opposition brief on April 19th and REAOC will file a reply brief on May 3rd. Following submittal of all briefs, the Ninth Circuit will schedule a hearing. We have posted the REAOC Opening Brief for your review and highly recommend reading the entire document. The brief expertly presents comprehensive, historical facts and legal arguments. Click here to read the REAOC Brief For a chronological listing of the major activities and updates during the past several years regarding the litigation, please click on the "Legal Update" tab located under the American flag. ***************************** SIGNIFICENT COURT RULING In 2008 the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted to appreciably cut health care benefits for retirees. Subsequently, a lawsuit was filed by 1,500 retired Sonoma County employees who said the County violated their rights when the County took this action. The district court dismissed the suit stating the County had never expressly promised to continue covering retiree’s health benefits for life. The Sonoma retirees appealed the lower court’s decision. Early this week the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Sonoma retirees’ lawsuit should not have been dismissed and should be allowed to proceed in the trial court in San Francisco. In reaching that ruling, the court relied almost exclusively on the precedent established by REAOC’s victory in the California Supreme Court in November 2011. We expect this new decision will be very helpful in REAOC’s current appeal in the Ninth Circuit and also in the class action lawsuit. To review the Sonoma County Association of Retirees’ ruling, please click on the link below. Sonoma County Association of Retiree's Lawsuit Ruling *************************** COLA APPROVED BY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS The Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS) Board of Retirement approved the 2013 cost of living adjustment of 2 percent at its regular meeting on February 19, 2013. Retirees will see an increase on their May 1, 2013 check that reflects the Cost of Living Adjustment. To see more information on the COLA that will be granted, please click on the link below. OCERS COLA Information ***************************** THE NEW GUIDE FOR SENIORS IS NOW AVAILABLE The new guide for seniors is now available from the Orange County Council on Aging. Click on the link below to read this helpful guide. This guide lists many resources for seniors in Orange County and includes helpful Medicare comparison charts, housing alternatives, community resources, entertainment options, etc. Senior Guide for Orange County ******************************* IN THE NEWS Contra Costa Retirees May Have Benefits Case SAN FRANCISCO (CN) - A northern California county cannot avert claims over its alleged attempt to stop providing retirees with health care, a federal judge ruled. The Retiree Support Group of Contra Costa County sufficiently alleged that a contract existed in which Contra Costa County agreed to pay 80 percent of health care benefits to retirees and their dependents associated with at least one plan for the lifetime of the retirees, according to the ruling. In a February 2012 complaint, the support group said its workers "gave up wage increases and other employment benefits in order to receive [the] health care benefits," but that the county capped contributions at a flat dollar amount in 2010 and said it would pass on the increased cost of health care to the retirees. (More) Orange County to appeal $147 million tax ruling Orange County will appeal a judge's ruling that it must repay 147 mln to the state in a tax fight. The Orange County Register says county supervisors made that decision Tuesday. A county judge last week ruled that the county must turn over tens of millions of dollars in property tax money it withheld for several years to cover reduced state funding from vehicle tax fees. The money would have gone into a state fund for schools and community colleges. (More) Commentary: Orange County Supes are dismissive of Grand Jury reports** On June 30, 1982, in a letter to the Board of Supervisors , the '81-'82 Orange County Grand Jury referred to the "clanging chains" of that "bureaucracy" in reference to a broken promise made to this jury by the board concerning their lack of response to all Grand Jury final reports within a 60-day time frame. Now, when reading the many news reports over the past several years about our county's many missteps, it would seem that the supervisorial "chains" continue to "clang," and that there has been very little oversight by our elected board members, especially in the areas of conflict of interest, cover-ups, harassment and abuses of authority. (More)	Hot Topics REAOC Litigation Update Healthcare Reform Update Contact REAOC MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 11787 Santa Ana, CA 92711-1787 PHONE 714.840.3995 Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM. 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