RPEC Weekly ACTION Newsletter – 1-29-2021
IN THIS ISSUE
- Bill Status Update
- Weekly Legislative Update Reminder
- Legislative Day-February 8th
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-1-29-2021/
We appreciate all the members who have called, emailed, submitted written and live testimony so far, this Legislative Session.
Action Item:
On Tuesday, February 2nd the House Finance committee will hold a public hearing on HB 1406. The bill would address the state’s upside down tax code by imposing a 1% tax on billionaires. RPEC supports this bill because it would produce an estimated $2.25 billion in 2023 and $2.5 billion in 2024.
Please contact your Representatives to encourage them to support this important bill to address the state’s regressive tax code. 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
House Finance Committee Members
District | Member | Phone |
36 | Frame, Noel (D), Chair | (206) 962-5098 |
44 | Berg, April (D), Vice Chair | (425) 939-8423 |
48 | Walen, Amy (D), Vice Chair | (425) 883-3366 |
20 | Orcutt, Ed (R) | (360) 786-7990 |
15 | Dufault, Jeremie (R) | (360) 786-7874 |
4 | Chase, Rob (R) | (360) 786-7984 |
43 | Chopp, Frank (D) | (206) 905-6681 |
37 | Harris-Talley, Kirsten (D) | (206) 971-1222 |
29 | Morgan, Melanie (D) | (360) 786-7906 |
33 | Orwall, Tina (D) | (253) 656-5265 |
40 | Ramel, Alex (D) | (360) 786-7970 |
45 | Springer, Larry (D) | (425) 947-8921 |
31 | Stokesbary, Drew (R) | (360) 786-7846 |
41 | Thai, My-Linh (D) | (206) 333-4107 |
18 | Vick, Brandon (R) | (564) 888-2271 |
49 | Wylie, Sharon (D) | (360) 786-7924 |
26 | Young, Jesse (R) | (360) 786-7964 |
If your Representative is on the House Finance 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
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 have been sent out for our February 8th Legislative Day. Attendees will receive additional information via email prior to the event. RPEC staff are in the process of confirming the meetings with Legislators for the week of the 8th.