BUSY FIRST WEEK AHEAD FOR YOUR ISSUES IN THE LEGISLATURE

Dozens of Federation members are due in Olympia this week for the first hectic days of a legislative session where jobs, preserving the quality services you provide and protecting your economic future are all at stake.

Before we give you the rundown of hearings dealing with proposed cuts to jobs, institutions and programs, here’s today’s call to action.

CALL TO ACTION 1:
IT’S NOT ABOUT GREED, IT’S ABOUT THE CONTRACT

BACKGROUND: The governor has put your current and new contract in jeopardy by not forwarding a funding request for your negotiated pay raises so the Legislature can debate it.

PLEASE CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS VIA THE LEGISLATURE’S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-562-6000 AND TELL THEM:

I respectfully urge you to support funding our negotiated pay raises and other economic parts of the contracts we negotiated with the governor. Without that, we actually will have no contract come July 1, 2009! All provisions, even non-economic workplace rights, are in jeopardy.

WHAT’S ON TAP FOR THIS WEEK:

The governor’s proposed cuts to jobs and programs come under legislative scrutiny this week. And Federation members from those affected programs will be there to register opposition and instead support sensible solutions to the economic crisis.

If you’d like to join the Green Team as it stages a constant presence at the Capitol this session—this week and the rest of the 105 days—call your Legislative and Political Action team at 1-800-562-6002. They’ll make your appointments for you.

MONDAY:

The Legislature convenes with pomp and circumstance as newly elected House and Senate members take the oath of office. Several committees hold work sessions on the governor’s budget recommendations.

• The House Ways and Means Committee looks at the governor’s proposed 2009-11 operating budget and the 2009 supplemental budget. (3:30 p.m., House Hearing Room A, John L. O’Brien Building.)

• The House Capital Budget looks at the proposed capital projects budget. (3:30 p.m., House Hearing Room C, John L. O’Brien Building.)

TUESDAY:

• The House Ways and Means Committee holds a public hearing on pensions, employee compensation and health benefits. (3:30 p.m., House Hearing Room A, John L. O’Brien Building.)

• The House Education Appropriations Committee looks at the governor’s budget, including for Higher Education, where huge staff cuts are proposed (though it’s unclear how many are faculty and how many are classified staff) (8 a.m., House Hearing Room A, John L. O’Brien Building.)
  

WEDNESDAY:

• The House Ways and Means Committee takes up the governor’s proposed closure of Yakima Valley School and Naselle Youth Camp, cuts to GA-U and the Special Commitment Center and other cuts to human services programs. (3:30 p.m., House Hearing Room A, John L. O’Brien Building.)
  

THURSDAY:

• The House Education Appropriations Committee takes up the proposed cuts to Higher Education. (1:30 p.m., House Hearing Room A, John L. O’Brien Building.)

• The House General Government Appropriations Committee holds a public hearing on the governor’s proposed cuts to General Government, natural resources and Corrections. (1:30 p.m. House Hearing Room B, John L. O’Brien Building; continues at 6 p.m.)

• The House Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee takes up previously mentioned human services cuts. (1:30 p.m., House Hearing Room C, John L. O’Brien Building; continues at 6 p.m.)

• The House Ways and Means Committee holds a public hearing on proposed cuts to General Government, natural resources and Corrections. (3:30 p.m., House Hearing Room A, John L. O’Brien Building.)
  

IN THE SENATE:

• The Senate holds several work sessions on various parts of the budget, but no Senate committee has scheduled any public hearings when Federation members can voice their concerns.
  
  
• One Senate work session of note: Thursday’s “collective bargaining primer in the Senate Labor, Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. We’ll be watching to see what that is all about.