Sen. Portman: A Step in the Right Direction for Delphi Workers
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- April 13 2014
Sen. Portman again supports Delphi salaried retirees in their fight for their pensions.
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In his weekly column this week, Senator Portman (OH) again wrote in detail of the plight of Delphi salaried retirees who have lost significant amounts of their pensions and health care benefits in retirement:
« Last week, we were able to win a small, but important victory for the 20,000 families of Delphi salaried retirees who lost up to 70 percent of their pensions because of the actions of the Obama Administration. I was able to secure an amendment in the Finance Committee that will extend the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC), legislation that will help Delphi retirees attain affordable healthcare. Often the HCTC serves as an important bridge for older Americans who lost their pensions until they become eligible for Medicare benefits, covering 72.5 percent of their premiums. But on January 1, 2014, that tax credit expired.
Extending this credit is the least we can do for these families who lost everything as a result of the auto bailout. In the summer of 2009, as the government took GM into bankruptcy, the Obama Administration terminated the pension plans covering thousands of Delphi workers. ~~ »
Extension of HCTC Passes a Key Hurdle
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- April 4 2014
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Senator Portman seeks support from the Senate Finance Committee for extension of HCTC.
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WASHINGTON April 3, 2014 —
An amendment to help Delphi salaried retirees who saw their pensions cut during the 2008-2009 auto bailout passed a key hurdle in the Senate Thursday after Ohio’s two senators successfully tucked the measure inSto a tax bill that now moves to the Senate floor.
Senator. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), successfully fought to extend the Health Coverage Tax Credit – a tax credit for retirees who lost their health care coverage when their companies entered into bankruptcy. Both senators are members of the Senate Finance committee, which sent the bill and amendment to the full Senate.
The tax credit, which expired January 1, 2014, was used heavily by the Delphi salaried retirees who saw their pensions cut in the aftermath of the federal government’s $50 billion bailout of GM. Delphi. ~~ The tax credit makes health insurance more affordable by providing a 72.5 percent tax credit to eligible workers, allowing these workers to pay only a portion of their qualified health insurance.
Court Hearing Scheduled for April 7 Cancelled
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- April 4 2014
U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
By Order dated April 2, 2014, Judge Emmet G. Sullivan cancelled the hearing scheduled for April 7, 2014, regarding the U.S. Treasury Motion to Quash the DSRA subpoena for Treasury documents. A ruling is expected shortly in lieu of the hearing.
DSRA Responds to Opinion that "fairness is not the governing principle"
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- March 31 2014
In a recent article published by The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio, comments were made Norm Stein, a law professor at Drexel University, who allowed the opinion that, based upon past history and statistics, the conclusion would be that retirees seeking restoration of their reduced pensions would not see a positive resolution.
DSRA's position, however, is that the Delphi salaried retirees' case has significant differences which are unique. In most cases, pensioner claimants don't get past the first court hearing without the case being dismissed. In this case, the plaintiffs on behalf of the retirees continue to win at each critical juncture despite the "slow walking" being done by the Federal Government Agencies.
The pessimism quoted in the Columbus Dispatch article stems from a lack of detailed knowledge of our case, including the assets, actuarial data, and the degree of illegal control the U.S. Treasury exerted over the PBGC. These elements of the Delphi salaried retirees' case are like no other legal challenge the PBGC has faced and therefore defy the typical stereotypical opinions expressed.
Tom Green Emphasizes the Double Hit to Delphi Salaried Retirees
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- March 12 2014
 Tom Green |
Tom Green, former executive, Delphi Corporation, spoke with Yuna Lee on WHIO on March 10, emphasizing the double hit to Delphi salaried retirees with the hardship of pensions reduced by the PBGC and also the drastic increase of health care insurance costs due to the loss of Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC). Click here for video.
Bicameral, Bipartisan Support for Extension of HCTC
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- March 10 2014
Portman (OH)
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Brown (OH)
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Turner (OH)
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Ryan (OH)
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Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), members of the Senate Committee on Finance, along with U.S. Reps. Mike Turner (R-OH) and Tim Ryan (D-OH) led a letter signed by 28 lawmakers to Congressional leaders pushing for Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) to be extended, an issue of particular importance to retired United Steelworkers and Delphi salaried retirees struggling to maintain affordable healthcare.
Today’s letter was signed by (in order of signatures): Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH-10), Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH-13), Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN), Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS), Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL-6), Rep. Kerry Bentivolio (R-MI-11), Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN-5), Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH-1), Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY-27), Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS-3), Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY-26), Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH-6), Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH-14), Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-9), Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI-5), Rep. Dan Maffei (D-NY-24), Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-TX-16), Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY-25), Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH-15).
The joint letter calls for leaders of the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee to attach HCTC to any bill reported out of these committees. HCTC, which assists struggling Americans with their health bills, expired January 1, 2014.
Thank you to all those who came together to support Delphi salaried retirees!
Reply Filed in Support of Motion to Dissolve Stay
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- March 1 2014
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN SOUTHERN DIVISION
In Case No. 2:09-cv-13616, Dennis Black, et al., Plaintiffs, v. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, Defendant, the following document was filed on February 28, 2014:
PLAINTIFFS’ REPLY IN SUPPORT OF MOTION TO DISSOLVE PARTIAL STAY AND IN OPPOSITION TO MOTION TO STRIKE
