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, June 9, 2023
RPEC attends State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti’s Re-Election Kickoff
On May 25 RPEC leaders attended State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti’s 2024 re-election kick-off luncheon at the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle. As State Treasurer, Pellicciotti is responsible for overseeing the state’s assets, including the $178 billion invested in public employee pensions.
In his speech, Pellicciotti thanked RPEC for partnering with him to ensure that Washington’s public employee pensions remain among the healthiest and best funded in the nation. He resolved to address a looming retirement security crisis: many younger people do not have pensions and are not saving for retirement. He also highlighted his proposal to address generational wealth gaps by creating the Washington Future Fund, which would create opportunities for people born into low-income families to attend college, start a business, or purchase a home when they reach adulthood.
Laurie Weidner named Advocate of the Year by Washington Education Association – Retired
RPEC Executive Director Laurie Weidner has been named Advocate of the Year by Washington Education Association – Retired (WEA-R) for her work to preserve health insurance options for retirees who receive coverage through the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and for leading the PEBB Stakeholders’ Medicare Coalition. The award was presented at WEA-R’s convention on June 7 at WEA Headquarters in Federal Way.
Legislators Attend RPEC District 1 Meeting
On June 6 RPEC members and state legislators from northwest Washington gathered in Arlington to discuss retirement security issues for retired public employees. Senator John Lovick from Mill Creek, Representative Shelley Kloba from Kirkland, Representative Clyde Shavers from Island County, Representative Mary Fosse from Everett, and Representative Sam Low from Lake Stevens came well prepared to field questions on a variety of topics.
Inslee Reappoints Bev Hermanson to Select Committee on Pension Policy
Governor Jay Inslee has appointed RPEC member Bev Hermanson to serve a fourth term on the Select Committee on Pension Policy (SCPP). Hermanson, who has served on the SCPP since 2014, will be a voice for retired state, county, city, and local government employees for three more years.
The SCPP is a special committee tasked with studying public employee pensions and making policy recommendations to the legislature. Its members represent all groups that are impacted by pensions: retirees, active employees, state and local governments, and budget writing legislators. The committee is the starting point for almost every pension bill that passes the Legislature.
Free Film Screening and Panel Discussion, June 22, 2023, 5pm
The provocative new documentary, American Hospitals: Healing a Broken System, takes a close look at what’s been driving our health care system and its outrageous pricing, monopolization, and consolidation, and dares to ask “How can we incentivize hospitals to provide the highest quality care at the lowest cost?”
NoHLA is co-sponsoring the Seattle premiere of the film and holding a panel discussion to learn what we can do to improve the health of our health care system. Please join us at the Central Seattle Library, 1000 4th Ave, Microsoft Auditorium on the 1st floor. Doors open at 5 pm, screening from 5:30-6:30, discussion to follow.
Hope to see you there! Register here.
Upcoming Events:
Please refer to our calendar page for more information about each event, including links to Zoom meetings, if available.
- June 16 – Monthly Leadership Call (1:00 pm)
- June 19 – Council Office closed, Juneteenth
- June 20 – Select Committee on Pension Policy Meeting (10:00 am)
- June 20 – Senior Lobby (10:00 am)
- June 20 – Select Committee on Pension Policy Executive Session (12:00 pm)
- June 22 – Healthcare Workgroup Meeting (3:30 pm)
- June 23 – Pension Policy Workgroup Meeting (10:00 am)
- June 26 – Leadership Training Part A (10:00 am)
- June 29 – Public Employees Benefits Board Meeting (9:00 am)
- June 30 – Leadership Training Part B (10:00 am)
- July 4 – Council Office closed, Independence Day
- July 7 – Monthly Legislative Update Call (2:00 pm)
