The Coalition to Preserve Retirement Security is to present a briefing to U.S. Senate staffers on the mandatory coverage issue on May 13 and coalition members are being urged to contact their senators' offices to ask them to attend.

We really need the support of our members.

The briefing, which is to be held in room SC-4 of the Capitol from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, is intended to exlain to Senate staff - especially those from states that would be most affected - the effects that forced Social Security coverage of public employees would have on states and localities that are now outside of Social Security.

With Congress beginning its deliberations on Social Security reform - Senate hearings have already started and hearings in the House are to begin on May 12 - coalition officials want to make sure that the negative effects of mandatory coverage are understood across Capitol Hill.

"Both Democrats and Republicans are looking for money to fund their plans for Social Security reform," coalition Chair Terri Bierdeman said. "We have to make it very clear to them that mandatory coverage - while having a minimal impact on the program's finances - would have devastating effects back home."

Studies have shown that mandatory coverage would eliminate just 10 percent of Social Security's 75-year shortfall while costing state and local about $26 billion over five years, an expense that could lead to cuts in government services or increases in taxes. (A study by The Segal Company provides a state-by-state breakdown of the costs of mandatory coverage that members may wish to use during their communication with Senate offices.)

Attendance at the briefing, coalition officials say, could depend on whether Senate offices hear from constituents asking them to attend. All coalition members are thus being asked to call or e-mail the offices of both of their senators, explain how important the issue is and urge them to send somebody to the briefing.

"We really need the support of our members," Bierdeman said. "One or two calls from organizations that represent thousands of constituents could make the difference between a senator's aide attending the briefing and not attending it and going to this briefing could determine whether that aide recommends that the senator support or oppose mandatory coverage."

Members are asked to notify the coalition at (703) 684-5236 or rhawkins@lgva.net when they have contacted senators' offices.

Coalition officials plan to hold a similar briefing for House staff in early June.