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California's First Lady Sharon Davis presented CAPS' California's Outstanding Young Scientist award to high school senior Kirsten Myers of Willets on Tuesday, February 1 in Sacramento. It was the second consecutive year that Ms. Davis presided with CAPS President Dan Aguirre. Kirsten Myers received a CAPS memento and a $1,000 cash scholarship. Ms. Myers has been a runner up each of the last two years in the CAPS competition. Her projects have examined the resistance of algae and cyanobacteria growth to ultraviolet rays. Two runners-up were also selected. Manisha Bahl, an 11th grader at Pleasant Valley High in Chico, analyzed the impact of environmental factors at varying locations along Big Chico Creek. Luke Wang, an Alhambra (Los Angeles area) high school senior tested whether acquisition of sensor information or motor control is the more important function of the cerebellum. Each received a memento and a $500 cash scholarship. Recipients and their parents personally attended the event, courtesy of CAPS. The awards result from CAPS review of thousands of science projects presented by California high school students at 15 regional science fairs throughout California during the preceding months. CAPS member volunteers reviewed each project and selected the regional winners, each of whom received a $100 savings bond and a CAPS memento. Interest and participation in the CAPS program has increased each year. Participation by Sharon Davis underscores the Davis Administration's commitment to promoting education and science learning in California's public schools. Sharon Davis is also expected to participate in the 12th Annual State Scientist Day sponsored by CAPS on May 2 on the west steps of the state capitol. CAPS Meets With the Governor and Mrs. Davis On Valentine's Day, February 14, the CAPS Board of Directors and selected CAPS local representatives joined with PECG and hosted a dinner for Governor and Mrs. Davis in Sacramento. Just two weeks to the day after Mrs. Davis presented the CAPS Outstanding Young Scientist award, the Governor and his wife spent nearly two hours with the scientists and engineers about his goals in education and the work of state scientists and engineers. In co-hosting the dinner, CAPS had invited California's Outstanding Young Scientist, Kirsten Myers, and her parents to dine with the Governor and Mrs. Davis. Kirsten Myers was seated next to Sharon Davis for part of the evening. This was a not-so-subtle reminder to the Governor that CAPS has long supported science education in primary and secondary schools through its State Scientist Day and Outstanding Young Scientist programs. CAPS efforts were recognized and praised by the Governor and his wife. Governor Davis said at one point that he was especially proud to have been able to provide the first pay raises to state workers in many years. He said he greatly values the work of state workers and has throughout his years of public service. He said he was especially gratified at the dedication and hard work of state scientists and engineers. He said he looks forward to having state scientists and engineers play an important role in the success of his administration. The event was also a fundraiser for Governor Davis. The CAPS contribution from its PAC to the Governor's election committee was $50,000. It is the largest single political contribution CAPS has ever made. Considering the significance of the decisions made by the Governor, the CAPS PAC unanimously determined it was a wise expenditure. Consider CAPS' Disability Income Protection Plan Like most people, your ability to earn an income may be your most valuable asset. Your family's lifestyle, your home, your children's education and your retirement may all hinge on your ability to work. You should consider enrolling in the CAPS long term disability insurance plan underwritten by the ITT Hartford Insurance company. According to a 1990 publication by Virginia Applegate titled "How to Protect Your Family with Insurance," one out of seven workers will suffer a five year or longer period of disability before age 65. If you suddenly became too sick or hurt to work, how would you continue your lifestyle without an income? Years of hard-earned savings could rapidly evaporate. That's why CAPS can help you to protect your income and your family by making available low cost group disability income protection insurance. To request a detailed brochure, call any CAPS office, or e-mail CAPS Insurance Administrator Lois Blacker at Lcblacker@aol.com. Please include your name and mailing address. Request your application today! Improved Retirement Benefits Implemented CAPS has been busy working with PERS to ensure that all Tier 2 PERS retirement members have the opportunity to enroll in Tier 1 and buy back service time for their entire state career. Everyone who intends to enroll in the Tier 1 program should do so as soon as possible. The longer a Tier 2 member waits to enroll in Tier 1, the costlier their buy back will be. Members can immediately enroll in the Tier 1 program and can wait for a buy back program that suits them. In Tier 1, there is an employee contribution, 5% of gross earning in excess of $513 per month. Under Tier 2 there is no employee contribution, but Tier 1 benefits are roughly twice as much. Currently, state law allows employees who elect to buy back prior service an eight year period to do so, at 6% interest. Senate Bill 400, the CAPS cosponsored legislation enhancing Tier 1 benefits, allows PERS to increase the buy back period to up to 15 years, as does the CAPS contract. The PERS Board of Directors considered changes to its regulations which would implement any buy back period up to 15 years. This could be implemented as early as April 2000. CAPS has requested that PERS also develop regulations for a partial buy back program. The idea is if a person has been enrolled in Tier 2 for 20 years, but only wishes to purchase 10 years service credit, they should be able to do so. Currently, the eight year program and the proposed up to 15 year buy back program require employees to buy back all service credits. PERS has agreed to evaluate and consider a partial buy back program later this year. Once a member has selected a buy back program, it cannot be changed. At CAPS' request, the Savings Plus Program administered by DPA has amended its plan so that employees may transfer 401(k) funds for the PERS service credit buy back. The PERS buy back information packages sent out in December 1999 mentioned this possibility. This option is now available. Making Political Action Effective Any state scientist who has been around state service for a few years knows how politics has affected their working lives. In fact, the political process has worked against scientists and all state workers for years, by denying us cost-of-living increases, benefit enhancements, work place improvements and the resources and independence to do our work properly. Most scientists I know would just as soon stay out of the political process. But political involvement is a key element of the CAPS representation program because that is where the important decisions are made. CAPS simply cannot do its job without a strong, effective presence in the state capitol. Consequently, CAPS employs legislative advocates to support, oppose and watch legislation, among other things. In addition, our consulting staff coordinates meetings of scientists and lawmakers in legislative district offices where we explain directly who we are and what we do. State scientists do important work to protect public health and safety, and when we communicate with our elected lawmakers, they understand it. Another small but important element of the CAPS legislative program is its Political Action Committee and fund. The job of the PAC is to evaluate which state lawmakers and constitutional officers deserve limited financial support from CAPS. That evaluation is based principally on whether the lawmaker or constitutional officer (such as Governor Gray Davis), is in a position to influence or enact laws, rules or policies affecting the salary, benefits and working conditions of state scientists. Other factors may enter into the equation, such as whether the politician supports scientific programs in state government, but the primary focus is whether the lawmaker supports scientists in their employment. For the last several years, under the Wilson Administration, the CAPS PAC was dormant. CAPS needed all of its financial resources to run the organization, provide member representation, fund lawsuits and conduct legislative advocacy. But since last April, CAPS again began devoting $3 of dues and fees per month to the CAPS PAC. So the PAC gets approximately anime reviews and wordpress plugins with which to make political contributions to state lawmakers and constitutional officers. The PAC is careful to abide by all state laws in conducting affairs, including the requirement to file reports regularly with the Secretary of State regarding its activities. Any member or fee payer can opt out of the PAC by notifying CAPS in writing. A few scientists have done so, and when they do, their dues or fees are reduced by $3 per month. I urge all members to continue full and active participation in CAPS, including our PAC. Encapsulations . . . Save on Your Auto and Homeowners Insurance. If you own a car, or own or rent a home, be sure to check the rates offered by CAPS through its discounted auto and homeowners Group Savings Plus insurance program underwritten by the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. Liberty Mutual is the nation's eighth largest insurer, and its rates are increasingly competitive throughout California. Your CAPS membership entitles you to a 10% discount on the auto program and 5% on homeowners. Additional discounts may also apply. Savings could be enough to pay for your membership in CAPS! Premiums are paid monthly through the convenience of payroll deduction, there is no down payment, and Liberty Mutual has an in-house team of agents throughout the state to serve CAPS members should the need arise. Compare Liberty's rates by linking to Liberty Mutual Insurance or calling Liberty Mutual directly at (800) 565-5505. Be sure to mention your membership in CAPS! Web Page Job Listings. If you are looking for new opportunities in state government, the CAPS web page just might have one for you. CAPS has researched all of the scientific openings throughout state government using several sources and makes them available to you on this web page by clicking here or go to "Job Vacancies" from the home page. Job and exam announcements for dozens of state scientific classifications for many state departments are listed, and CAPS regularly updates the list to make sure it is current. If you know of any additional openings that should be listed on the page, please fax them to us at (916) 442-4182. CAPS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MEMBERS' DEPENDENTS CAPS now provides up to four $500 scholarships annually to dependents of CAPS members. To qualify, the CAPS dependent must be enrolled in an accredited university or community college (but not a vocational school) and complete this application. No family may receive more than one CAPS scholarship. All applications are due in the CAPS office by May 1. Print the application below. All selections will be made in May. These scholarships are not funded by CAPS dues or fees. |