Halfway through: Nowhere near done
THE $2.8 BILLION deficit still looms over our State Government and a clear solution is still not in sight. The Governor is expected to release a proposal this week for the House and Senate to consider. All solutions will strike a balance between cuts and tax increases.
Local flexibility loses ground
THE BILLS that were designed to allow Local Governments to use various funds to meet current needs have been combined into two bills. SSB 6424 and SHB 3179 were moved out of committee but severely scaled back by floor action. The House version SHB 3779 is the preferred vehicle for removing the State restriction that hamstring Local Government. It is extremely important that you contact your legislators and tell them to restore the deleted REET flexibility language.
Senate Ways and Means Committee's
shocking disappointment
THE DEMOCRATICALLY CONTROLLED Ways and Means Committee dealt pension policy a surprise on their last meeting before cutoff. In less than 24 hours they:
- Refused to support SB 5307 or SB 6516. Those measures default new employees who don’t choose a plan into Plan 2 instead of Plan 3. The bill would save employees over 60 million over 25 years.
- Tried, unsuccessfully, to close Plan 2 and start a Plan 4 for new employees that would have been a 100% defined contribution plan! (SB 6045)
- Passed a bill that eliminates or suspends dozens of boards and commissioners, including the Select Committee on Pension Policy.
The one bright spot on the Committees’ action was Senator Pridemore’s bill to extend the average final compensation protection retroactive to January 1 from July 1 of 2009. SB 6742 is intended to protect members’ pensions from being impacted by furloughs.
Initiative reform
SB 6449 would shine a light on the signature gathering underworld created by Tim Eyman by disclosing the names of the paid signature gatherers. The bill has moved out of the Senate and is now being heard in the house.
Please call your legislators at 1-800-562-6000 and ask them to support (or oppose) these measures. To find your legislator or district, click here or visit: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder
