New endorsements

Jean has received endorsements from the following organizations!

Louisiana Educators Association

Louisiana Federation of Teachers

Webster Parish Fire Chiefs

Central Trades & Labor Council of Shreveport & Vicinity

Grandparents Against Drunk Driving

The Crime Fighters Association

The ‘real’ details are included here…

A recent ad on various cable news channels says that Jean Doerge voted for legislation that would pay for the insurance on termed out legislator and now voters are paying for her insurance……that is not true.

She did vote on a bill that Hoppie Hopkins authored, a bill that was vetoed by the Governor. The truth of the matter is that Jean’s insurance is certainly paid, but it is paid through the WP school system….and it’s paid because she put in 32 plus years as a teacher in Webster Parish.

HB1028 of the 2006 Regular Session Permits :  State legislators who have served in the legislature and participated in Office of Group Benefits sponsored programs for ten years to remain eligible for participation.

This bill passed both the House (72 yeas to 17 nays) and the Senate (33 yeas to 2 nays), but was vetoed by the Governor, on July 10, 2006. 

Veto Message from Gov. Blanco:   HB No. 1028 would have expanded state health insurance benefits available to member of the Legislature elected to office in 1995 or thereafter with the state being responsible for 75% of the cost of that insurance.  Following the passage of the bill many legislators advised me there was confusion as to the full impact of the proposed changes and many have requested that I veto it.  Such a special expansion to a limited number of persons does not make sound public policy.

For these reasons I vetoed HB No. 1028 and am returning it to the House of Representatives.

Here are details on the insurance provided Jean Doerge following her 30 years of service to the Webster Parish School system:

NOTE:  The wording below is exactly as it appears in the minutes of the school board meeting dated February 13, 1996.  The only exception is in item 2b where it says “now four”.  At the time this was adopted by the Board there were only three plans to choose from.

Eligibility for payment of Hospitalization Premiums of Retirees:

• Pay only SEGB premium or equivalent for single person or if both retired from school system, pay employee and one dependent class premium.
  
• Eligibility:
  
  • Ten (10) consecutive years in school system immediately preceding retirement.
    
    
  • Must have participated in one of three (now four) school board sponsored hospitalization plans three (3) consecutive years immediately preceding retirement.
    
    
  • Retired five (5) years prior to making application for payment of premiums.
    
    
• Retiree will be solely responsible for making application to School Board for payment of premiums.  Initial date for consideration will be five (5) years after retirement date.