Keynote speaker Frank Stella outlined the AFT's legislative agenda for nearly 100 participants at the retiree breakfast.

"In the long wind-up of the Bush administration, we're mostly prepping for what comes next," said Stella, the American Federation of Teachers' retiree director. "We're hoping for a complete change from the last six years."

RC 15 and 16 President Ruth Dworkin noted, "There are many important people here today," including retired NYSUT officers Fred Nauman and Walter Dunn and other veteran NYSUT activists.

"We appreciate the work you do on behalf of NYSUT," said Vice President Kathleen Donahue, in greeting the retirees. "Thank you."

Strengthening Social Security, expanding Medicare, eliminating the prescription drug "doughnut hole," and bringing the issue of national health care back to the table are key political concerns, said Stella.

"Our job is to get votes for our issues," a move that would peel away at the president's support base and increase the chance of overriding vetoes, he explained.

Readdressing the issue of the Bush tax cuts is another goal. "Forty-nine percent of the deficit comes from the cuts," said Stella. "Only 10 percent of the deficit comes from increases in entitlement programs."

He termed the tax cuts and the war "a ruinous combination."

On a positive note, Stella remarked that the national political agenda is now written by those sympathetic to labor. "Expanding Medicare for all will be a centerpiece of discussion for Democrats," he said. Winning the right to import prescription drugs from Canada, establishing a national health care plan and securing the ability to negotiate Medicare drug prices are on the Democratic radar, he said.

Stella urged delegates to share their legislative concerns, noting that the AFT has created a short online survey at www.aft.org.

For a printed guide outlining Social Security and Medicare, retiree chapter and council leaders can contact Stella at FStella@AFT.org.