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 Newsflash, April 28, 2023
RPEC Scores Two Key Legislative Victories
Sini Die, the end of the legislative session, occurred on April 23. RPEC scored two big victories and many of our priority bills successfully passed through the Legislature and have either been signed or will be signed by the Governor. A detailed end-of-session report will be featured in the spring issue of the membership newsletter, which you will receive by mail in late May.
Two quick items of note include the successful passage of SB 5350, a bill that our members advocated for throughout the legislative session. Thank you for your tireless advocacy of the bill. With your help, concerning amendments, which were tagged onto the bill as it moved through the House, were ultimately defeated. The bill ultimately passed the Legislature in its original form without amendment. Thus, on July 1 of this year, PERS 1 and TRS 1 retirees will receive a one-time cost-of-living adjustment. The bill also requires the Select Committee on Pension Policy (SCPP) to study and recommend to the Legislature a proposal to provide a recurring COLA. PERS 1 and TRS 1 are the only retirees who do not currently receive a recurring COLA. Read more in the end-of-session report published in the spring edition of the membership newsletter.
2023 Leadership Training for All Chapter Leaders
With most chapter elections wrapping up, it is time for new leaders, re-elected leaders and those who may be considering taking a leadership position in the future, to come together and participate in our annual Leadership Training. We will be providing the tools, information, and resources for you to be a successful and supported chapter leader.
The training will be held in two parts: Part A on Monday, June 26 for all chapter leaders, and Part B on Friday, June 30 for all chapter leaders involved with chapter finances. Part A will be hosted and led by the Council Office. Part B will be hosted and led by the Auditing Department at AFSCME.
For more information and to register, please visit: https://rpecwa.org/2023-leadership-training/. Registration closes Monday, June 5th.
Monthly Legislative Update Call
With the Legislative Session wrapped up for 2023, we will not be holding any more Weekly Legislative Updates. We will be resuming our Monthly Update calls beginning on Friday, May 5th, and continuing on the first Friday of each month until the 2024 Legislative Session begins.
Please join us on Friday, May 5th at 2 pm for our first monthly Legislative Update Zoom call.
To join the update calls:
Via Computer or tablet:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89045365250?pwd=cHYvbU80d08xTXRLTmpOZGF1VW53QT09
Or, go to: https://zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 890 4536 5250
Passcode: 320296
Via Phone:
Dial: (253) 215-8782
Meeting ID: 890 4536 5250
Passcode: 320296
Register today for Health Care Authority’s Virtual and In-person Listening Sessions and Public Forums
Time is running out to register and take part in the virtual listening sessions, virtual public forums and the in-person listening sessions hosted by the Health Care Authority (HCA) to hear from public sector retirees who receive their healthcare benefits from the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB). Register at: https://www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/news/announcements/register-pebb-medicare-listening-sessions. Registration is required and space is limited. Sign up today!
All-member written survey – Please complete the survey and mail it back!
The Executive Board embarked on a strategic planning process this year. The first step in that multi-faceted process is hearing from our members about what they value most. Your input matters and will be used by the Executive Board to shape the organization’s overall direction and strategies for the next 5 years. Please take a few minutes to complete the written survey and mail it back to us right away. Thank you!
Upcoming Events:
Please refer to our calendar page for more information about each event, including links to Zoom meetings, if available.
- May 4 – Pension Policy Workgroup (10:00 am)
- May 5 – Legislative Committee Meeting (10:00 am)
- May 11 – Healthcare Workgroup (3:30 pm)
- May 15 – Senior Lobby (10:00 am)
- May 16 – Select Committee on Pension Policy Meeting (10:00 am)
- May 19 – Monthly Leadership Call (1:00 pm)
- May 23 – Executive Board Meeting (10:00 am)
- May 25 – Healthcare Workgroup (3:30 pm)
Health Care Authority Listening Sessions & Public Forums
- May 2 – HCA Virtual Listening Session (10:00 am)
- May 4 – HCA Virtual Listening Session (10:00 am)
- May 9 – HCA Virtual Listening Session (10:00 am)
- May 10 – HCA Virtual Listening Session (10:00 am)
- May 16 – HCA In-person Listening Session, Bothell (10:00 am)
- May 17 – HCA Virtual Public Forum (10:00 am)
- May 18 – HCA Virtual Listening Session (10:00 am)
- May 25 – HCA Virtual Listening Session (10:00 am)
- May 30 – HCA Virtual Listening Session (10:00 am)
- May 31 – HCA Virtual Listening Session (10:00 am)
