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 – 1-22-2021
IN THIS ISSUE
- Bill Status Update
- Weekly Legislative Update
- Legislative Day Update
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 the first few weeks of the Legislative Session.
The updated list of bills and their current status can be found here: https://rpecwa.org/bill-summary-1-22-2021/
This week, RPEC voiced its support for several bills including: SB 5203, which would increase the access and affordability of generic prescription drugs and SB 5022, which would enact penalties on unsupported prescription drug price increases.
Action Item:
We need our members to reach out to their Legislators to ensure an important bill receives a hearing in the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee:
- SB 5142- which would increase the access and affordability of routine dental care by establishing guidelines for a new class of dental professions who can serve underserved communities.
Please contact your senator to encourage them to support this important bill to increase access to dental care. 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
Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee Members
| Member | Phone | LD |
| Cleveland, Annette (D), Chair | (360) 786-7696 | 49 |
| Frockt, David (D), Vice-Chair | (360) 786-7690 | 46 |
| Muzzall, Ron (R), Ranking Member | (360) 786-7618 | 10 |
| Conway, Steve (D) | (360) 786-7656 | 29 |
| Holy, Jeff (R) | (360) 786-7610 | 6 |
| Keiser, Karen (D) | (360) 786-7664 | 33 |
| Padden, Mike (R) | (360) 786-7606 | 4 |
| Randall, Emily (D) | (360) 786-7650 | 26 |
| Rivers, Ann (R) | (360) 786-7634 | 18 |
| Robinson, June (D) | (360) 786-7674 | 38 |
| Van De Wege, Kevin (D) | (360) 786-7646 | 24 |
| Wilson, Jeff (R) | (360) 786-7636 | 19 |
If your Senator is on the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee, it is especially important that you contact them about this bill.
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 – TODAY AT 1PM
This afternoon (Friday, January 22nd) we will be holding our first weekly Legislative briefing call on Zoom.
RPEC Executive Director James Cockburn will provide an update on the status of RPEC’s Legislative Priorities and answer questions from members. The calls will take place at 1pm each Friday through the end of the Legislative Session. The Zoom login information will be the same each week.
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
LEGISLATIVE DAY UPDATE
Follow up information and packet materials are being prepared for our February 8th Legislative Day. Attendees will receive information via email and USPS in the coming weeks. RPEC staff are in the process of coordinating meetings with Legislators for the week of the 8th. Thank you to all those who signed up to participate in this important event.
