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 – 2-22-2019
In This Edition
- ACTION ALERT – Contact Your Representative about HB 1390
- WA State Legislative Bill Summary
- Congressional Hearing Looks for Ways to Improve Retirement Security
ACTION ALERT – Contact House Appropriations Chair/Vice Chair about HB 1390
The House Appropriations Committee is considering bill HB 1390, which would provide a one-time 3% increase, capped at $62.50 per month to PERS/TRS Plan 1 members.
We are asking members to contact the Chair and Vice-Chair of the House Appropriations Committee to urge them to schedule this bill for Executive Session before the March 1st cutoff date.
| House Appropriations Chair/Vice Chair | Phone |
| Ormsby, Timm (D), Chair – 3rd LD | (360) 786-7946 |
| Robinson, June (D), 1st Vice Chair – 38th LD | (360) 786-7864 |
WA State Legislative Bill Summary
Legislators have also introduced several other bills that would impact retirees. Below are the list bills we are tracking as they move through the legislative process. More will be added as they are released. Full Text and updates on these bills can be found by searching for the bill number at: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/
Here is a link to the list of bills currently of focus to RPEC: http://www.rpecwa.org/bill-summary-2-22-2019/
Congressional Hearing Looks for Ways to Improve Retirement Security
From the Alliance for Retired Americans – On February 6, the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on Improving Retirement Security for America’s Workers. The multiemployer pension crisis, the lack of retirement savings and the need to expand Social Security, as well as the need to lower prescription drug prices, were all discussed. The Alliance submitted a statement for the record for the hearing with its views on these issues.
“In light of the fact that 77% of Americans fall short of the savings target for their age, in large part because workers’ wages have been stagnant for 20 years while the cost of living has increased, Congress must take bold action to improve retirement security for all,” said Joseph Peters, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. “We are committed to helping the new Congress find ways to address these critical issues for current and future retirees.”
For Your Information
We are in the process of interviewing candidates for the Executive Director position. During the RPEC Executive Board meeting on Wednesday, February 27th, three candidates will be invited to give a five minute presentation. The Executive Board meeting begins at 10am at the RPEC office in Olympia.
