Signs

Victory for Public Retirees: President Biden Signs HR82, Ending Decades-Long Battle Over Social Security Offsets

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Washington, D.C. – A significant legislative change has been achieved as President Joe Biden recently signed HR82, leading to the repeal of the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) laws. This development concludes years of determined advocacy led by Mass Retirees, an organization representing retired public employees in Massachusetts. The WEP and GPO laws, first enacted in 1983, were intended to balance Social Security benefits but have long been criticized for unfairly penalizing public servants in their retirement. The impact of these laws reduced or eliminated Social Security benefits … Read more

President Biden Signs Bipartisan Funding Bill, Averting Government Shutdown Amid Holiday Season

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Washington, D.C. — In a crucial move before the holidays, President Joe Biden has signed a bipartisan budget bill that prevents a potential government shutdown, just as Congress seemed on the brink of chaos following opposition from President-elect Donald Trump. The newly signed legislation ensures government operations can extend through mid-March, providing relief to many as the year draws to a close. This development followed intense negotiations and last-minute deal-making in Congress, reflecting a strenuous compromise between Democrats and Republicans. The bill, which neither sides found entirely satisfactory, was eventually passed in the Senate with … Read more

Governor DeWine Signs 20 New Laws in Ohio, Excludes Key Proposals on Sextortion and Parents’ Rights

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a significant legislative push, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine finalized the signing of 20 bills on Thursday, concluding a busy session in the state legislature. This flurry of legislative activity came as lawmakers wrapped up their task during the lame duck session on Wednesday, racing to pass numerous bills before the year ends. While the governor sanctioned a wide array of legislation, two notable bills did not make the cut. These include ‘Braden’s Law,’ aimed at making sextortion a felony offense, and the ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights,’ which would mandate that school … Read more

President Biden Signs Bill Mandating Earlier FAFSA Availability Amid Federal Aid Application Glitches

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WASHINGTON — In an effort to streamline the financial aid process for college students, President Joe Biden has signed into law a measure that mandates the annual availability of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by October 1. This new regulation aims to aid students in receiving their financial support without the delays that marked previous years. Historically, while the FAFSA typically became available in October, the Department of Education was legally permitted to delay the release until January 1. However, recent snags with the form’s launch have prompted legal adjustments to ensure … Read more