Terming the retiree breakfast an "alumni reunion," owing to many former colleagues in attendance, keynote speaker Frank Stella outlined the AFT's legislative agenda before an audience of nearly 100 retirees. "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."

ED 15 and 16 President Ruth Dworkin moderated the event, noting that "there are many important people here today." She acknowledged former NYSUT officers Fred Nauman and Walter Dunn and other veteran NYSUT activists in attendance.

NYSUT Vice President Kathleen Donahue, who Dworkin termed "a person who is really interested in the job she does," also greeted the retirees. "We appreciate the work you do on behalf of NYSUT," said Donahue.

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.

Re-addressing 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 in Iraq "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 re-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.