Retired Public Employees Council of WA Working to protect and enhance the pension and health care benefits of Washington retired state, county and local government employees
RPEC Weekly ACTION Newsletter – 1-15-2021
IN THIS ISSUE
- Legislative Day Reminder
- Bill Status Update
- Weekly Legislative Update
LEGISLATIVE DAY REMINDER
Today is the last day to register for our virtual legislative day on February 8th.
Visit https://rpecwa.org/legislative-day-registration/ to register
BILL STATUS UPDATE
In addition to our top priorities of protecting the PEBB Medicare Benefit and ensuring the full funding of the pension systems in the state budget, we are also tracking several bills that have been introduced during this first week of the Legislative Session.
The full list of bills and their current status can be found here: https://rpecwa.org/bill-summary-1-15-2021/
This week, RPEC members testified at the Senate Ways & Means Committee hearing in support of SB 5096, which would enact a capital gains tax which is targeted to only impact the wealthiest Washingtonians (around 2% of households) and would raise over $1 Billion Dollars per year.
Action Item:
Two important bills will have hearings next week in the Senate:
- SB 5021- which would protect the retirement benefits of current employees furloughed due to the pandemic. Hearing: 1/18- Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM
- SB 5022-which would enact penalties on unsupported prescription drug price increases. Hearing: 1/22- Senate Health & Long Term Care at 8:00 AM
Please contact your senator to encourage them to support these important bills. The toll free Legislative Hotline is 1-800-562-6000 or you can find contact information for your legislators here: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/Rosters/Members
Information on how to provide written or live testimony at Committee Hearings can be found Here: https://leg.wa.gov/legislature/Pages/Participating.aspx
WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE – FRIDAYS AT 1PM
Beginning Friday, January 22nd we will be holding a weekly briefing call on Zoom for members at 1pm each Friday.
RPEC Executive Director James Cockburn will provide an update on the status of RPEC’s Legislative Priorities and answer questions from members.
RPEC Lobbyist Emily Murphy will also join the calls when her legislative meeting schedule allows, to provide additional insight and answer questions.
To join the weekly update calls:
Via Computer or tablet:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82866346713?pwd=NkVEY2NsL1J6Z0dmQ0xEdjQyTnFwQT09
Or, go to https://zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 828 6634 6713
Passcode: 205507
Via Phone:
Dial: (253) 215-8782
Meeting ID: 828 6634 6713
Passcode: 205507
