Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/109814
What���s hot New exec., new attorney, new lobbyist: DSEA staff now complete he DSEA Executive Board has appointed Patricia P . McGonigle to be DSEA���s general counsel and Kristin A. Dwyer as director of legislation and political organizing. McGonigle succeeds Jeff Taschner, who was named executive director following the retirement of Howard Weinberg McGonigle in December. As DSEA���s general counsel, McGonigle will advise leadership on legal matters as well as work with field staff on the more difficult contractual problems that arise, handling Unfair Labor Practices, as well as appeals through the Delaware judicial system. She was most recently at the Wilmington law firm of Seitz, Van Ogtrop & Green PA where, since 1999, she was a founding member and director. She represented indi- T Cannon and Keller observe service milestones e congratulate Susan Keller, production assistant in the Communications Dept. of DSEA, who marks 25 years with DSEA this month. She has worked with Pam Nichols, dir. of communications, that entire time. Prior to joining DSEA she worked for state government. Wendy Cannon is a DSEA UniServ Director, working with several local associations in Sussex County: Milford, Indian River, Sussex Tech and Woodbridge. Before joining the DSEA staff, she was a teacher and local union officer in Woodbridge. As of this W www.dsea.org viduals, governmental entities, and local, national and international businesses in financial, corporate and commercial matters. Says DSEA���s Exec. Director Jeff Taschner, ���DSEA and its members are extremely fortunate that someone with McGonigle���s skills and experience is joining our team. She has a strong track record of not only successful litigation work, but also has negotiated resolutions and settlements in hostile, time-sensitive situations.��� He adds that her management and training experience will also benefit the organization. ���While I enjoyed my time in the private sector,��� says McGonigle, ���and learned much from the wide variety of clients and issues I worked on, I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to focus my efforts on one client, DSEA, and the critically important work this organization does in support of Delaware���s educators.��� An active member of the Delaware State Bar Association, she holds a bachelor of science degree, cum laude, in Political Science from James Madison University (1989); and a J.D. degree from the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, PA (1992). Kristin A. Dwyer, former policy coordinator for New Castle County, succeeds Jack Polidori as director of legislation and Dwyer political organizing. Polidori was on loan to DSEA from the National Education Association, and retired in December. Dwyer was also legislative executive assistant for the County, working on developing and promoting legislation. In addition, she has grassroots organizing experience as the former deputy executive direc- tor and campaign director for the Delaware Democratic Party She . developed research and data analysis experience as the technology and data director of the House Majority Caucus of the General Assembly . In her DSEA position, she will work with the DSEA leadership team as one of the organization���s lobbyists and legislative strategists. She will also serve as elections coordinator, helping DSEA members and their local associations with political action, including elections and school board campaigns. According to DSEA Exec. Director Jeff Taschner, ���Dwyer has a solid background in grassroots organizing and campaigns. We���re excited with the experience and energy that she is bringing to the organization.��� Dwyer holds a bachelor of arts degree in Political Science, French and History from Albright College in Reading, PA. ���Educator tax deduction��� included in the Fiscal Cliff legislation T Wendy Cannon (left) and Susan Keller work out of the Dover office. month she has been with DSEA for five years. In 1984 the DSEA Executive Board created a program to recognize DSEA staff for service milestones. To see the complete list of DSEA staff, as well as Executive Board members and local union leaders, go to www.dsea.org/AboutDSEA /WhosWho.html. Join the conversations: www.facebook. com/dseafan www.twitter.com/ dsea1 he $250 above-the-line tax deduction for educators had not been renewed by Congress for the tax year 2012. But, thanks to NEA lobbyist Al Campos, it was included in the ���Fiscal Cliff ��� legislation passed in early January . The Reference is Title II, section 201 of Senate version of H.R.8, American Taxpayer Relief Act. Overview: TITLE II���INDIVIDUAL TAX EXTENDERS Sec. 201. Extension of deduction for certain expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers. The bill extends for two years the $250 above-the-line tax deduction for teachers and other school professionals ���...for expenses paid or incurred for books, supplies (other than non-athletic supplies for courses of instruction in health or physical education), computer equipment (including related software and service), other equipment, and supplementary materials used by the educator in the classroom. This provision is estimated to cost $406 million over ten years.��� Remember: Union dues also deductible Look at your last paycheck of 2012 to see what your total union dues deductions were. If you worked for a different school district or state agency during the year, find your final paycheck stub from that employer and add that dues amount to your total deduction. February 2013 DSEA ACTION! 3