"107 Attend the Legislators Meet 'N Greet"

We were treated to a very successful program this month when the legislators and contenders from the 8th, 9th and 16th legislative districts joined us at the Country Gentleman.  It is always a treat to be able to meet with these distinguished folks, shake hands, discuss important issues and hear what they have to say in regards to our concerns. 

 

Thanks to Jim and AJ Foster, Elaine Banks, and Tom Callahan, for organizing the "Meet and Greet Your Legislators/Contenders."  We had 107 members, visitors, legislators/aides, and contenders in the room.  We also had visitors from both Prosser and Walla Walla. 

 

 

Our collective concerns regarding cuts to our pensions/benefits, the loss of our Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), the reinstatement of our medicare subsidy to $184/month, our support for State Treasurer McIntire's proposal for a constitutional amendment requiring full pension funding, our concerns regarding any further increases in health care costs and the maintainance of the Plan 2 Defined Benefit plan were all masterfully presented to the legislators and contenders by Jim Foster.
 

L to R:  Jim Foster; Terry Nealey; Bryce Barret, assitant to Mike Hewitt;
Mary Ruth Edwards; and Maureen Walsh to the left of the podium.  

 

L to R:  Jay Clough, Brad Klippert, Larry Haler, Richard Reuther, and
Susan Fagan to the right of the podum.

 



It is too bad we didn't have more time for each of them to expand on some of their responses, or give members more opportunity for questions, but time moves on. At least we heard some of what we wanted to hear, and maybe some of what we didn't directly from the folks who will be instrumental in making these decisions for us in Olympia. 

 

Thanks again to those involved in organizing the event.

The following NEW MEMBERS were welcomed and names shared with members at the luncheon:

Melinda Anderson

Maxine Bumgarner

Brooke Canada

Susan Hall

Frances Beltran

Linda Marquez

Lionel Marquez

Yolanda Freyman

Patricia Noakes and 

Glen Allison

 

President Jim also discussed the planning for the State Convention coming up next June in Pasco.  Sign up sheets were spread around the tables for those interested in volunteering.  Four people indicated interest.  We have a ways to go with this.

And how about that Beef Medallion with Mushroom Ragu?  Mmmmmmm.  Way to go Country Gentleman!!!

 

"Come Meet Your Legislators Sept 24th"

We have invited all of the Legislators and Contenders to our luncheon on September 24th, scheduled from 11 am to 1:30 for this special event.  To that end, the following message comes from our Legislative Committee: Elaine, AJ and Jim.

"The Legislators and Contenders who are attending our luncheon on Sept 24th are:

Klippert and Clough (8th reps); Haler and Reuther (8th reps) ; Delvin (8th sen); Fagan (9th rep);  Walsh and Edwards (16th reps); Nealey (16th rep) and Hewitt (16th sen). 

"We are emphasizing to all Legislators:  1) we do not want any new cuts to our pensions/benefits; 2) we need our COLA back; 3) our medicare subsidy be returned to $184; 4) we Support State Treasurer McIntire's proposal/constitutional amendment requiring pension to be full funding; 5) we do not want any more increases in health care costs; and 6) maintain Plan 2 Defined Benefit plan.

"As retirees, we must remind legislators that it is not the enactment of MUCH NEEDED pension benefit improvement that is the problem, it is the Legislature's failure to pay for such benefits in a timely fashion that is the problem.

"Come to the luncheon. Bring a friend. Be informed, be involved and VOTE.  As our new WSSRA President says 'STAND UP AND BE HEARD'.  


Legislative comm:Elaine, AJ and Jim

              "ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF PENSION PAYMENTS

...Wa state has 110,795 annuitants in the Public Employees and Teachers Retirement Systems. Total monthly annuity payments equal $228,273,106.

...Every $1 paid to retirees generates $1.37 in total economic output.  State annuity payments create $312,734,155 monthly economic activity.

...Reinstatement of the Plan 1 Uniform Cost of Living Adjustment would increase the state's economic activity by $82,178,318 annually.

...WA state's own stimulus program."