1 Reply by jwitt

(11 replies, posted in General Comments Regarding PACT)

Well, I omitted a very important point: PACT people have a property right in our contracts. Under state and federal law, a person cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. If it is not enough that we are being (potentially) defrauded or "jipped" out of our money, we have a legitimate civil rights claim under the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution. I hope the courts don't have to decide; I hope the legislature will take care of this.

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2 Reply by jwitt

(11 replies, posted in General Comments Regarding PACT)

Thursday, after observing the House at work, I sat and listened to an attorney speak to the nature of contract law, what the Alabama Constitution, and the US Constitution have to say about the situatioin with PACT. Some of the things he said I have been saying, or thinking, for some time. (1.) We were sold pre-paid tuition; our contracts specify, defined benefits to which we, or our beneficiciaries, are entitled. We did not "invest" in a financial market product; we have no control over the money we paid; we would reap no profit over and above college tuition at a state college or university. This is unlike people who chose to invest in the markets, who control where their money is invested and can spend their dividends on anything they wish to, including a trip to Hawaii instaed of paying for college tutition. The state of Alabama gets anything left-over in PACT fund, if there would be anything.
(2) There is no difference in the defined benefit in contracts that say "garanteed" and those that do not use the term. The analogy used went like this: "If you promise to pay me a hundred dollars, I garantee you that I will mow your lawn;" no different than, "If you promise to pay me a hundred dollars, I will mow your lawn." The obligation of the two parties is the same.
(3) The state cannot legally change the terms of the contract unilaterally as they have attempted to do.
(4) Certain defined groups within Alabama already receive free college tution without PACT under state statutes. Four examples were given, including gill-net fishermen along the Gulf. Where does that money come from?
If the legislature fails to provide a solution, I feel good about the potential legal remedy based on what I have heard and discussed over the last few days. Legislature, do the right thing; be heroes not villains.

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3 Topic by jwitt

(2 replies, posted in General Comments Regarding PACT)

Has anyone noticed the time (as of 8-04-09) for the PACT Bd. meeting that is posted on the State Treasuer's web site? It says that the meeting is at 9:00 a.m. I and others have been given the time for the meeting as 1:00 p.m. Is this incompetence on their part or is this an attempt to confuse those who might travel to Montgomery to attend?
Why is the meeting information not even posted on the Stat's official PACT web site that is supposed to provide us with all the up-to-date news and information about PACT?

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4 Reply by jwitt

(1 replies, posted in Limestone County Group Forum)

Hello. I will keep the meeting on July 23 at 6:30 at First Presbyterian Church in Athens brief as is possible. There are things that need to be discussed. I am looking forward to meeting each of you. JRWitt

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5 Topic by jwitt

(0 replies, posted in General Comments Regarding PACT)

Dr. Hubbard,

I am extremely disappointed to read that you do not support  legislation supporting PACT. I was an active, dues-paying member of AEA for 26 years; I am currently a retired dues-paying member. My children will be attending college over the next eight years. Both my PACT contracts have been paid for some time now. Many TEACHERS bought into PACT. The state and many of its elected officials marketed and promoted PACT as the right thing to do for our children and for the state. Promises were made; CONTRACTS signed and fulfilled on my part. I fully expect PACT to meet its obligations to me and my children. I, and others, will hold the STATE accountable in the courts and in the press.

You, sir, are apparently a part of the problem and not a part of the solution based on what I have read about your position; an odd alliance between AEA and university presidents and some of your legislative allies.

You, however, are not supporting the hard-working teachers who took state officials at their word that PACT would be there when we were ready to receive benefits.

I guess it's okay for you and AEA to support a president who sends us into trillions of dollars of debt to bail out banks and corporations and their greedy leaders but not help honest, hard-working teachers who trusted that their state would meet their LEGITIMATE CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS.

By the way, my wife, brother, two sisters, and brother-in law are current Alabama teachers; my other brother and his wife are retired teachers. Many of our friends are teachers.

Feeling betrayed and abused,

Jerry R. Witt
18181 Maples Circle
Elkmont, AL   359620

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6 Topic by jwitt

(53 replies, posted in General Comments Regarding PACT)

We need to organize for action in the event nothing good happens in the legislature.

I live in extreme north central alabama and am not terribly far from Huntsville and Decatur. If we don't organize and make a big impression on the legislature, we will be out of luck.

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