The Federation and Gov. Chris Gregoire square off in court Feb. 6 over the governor's refusal to forward a request to fund the contracts she negotiated with the union.
Give the governor credit for guts. She entered the lion's den by visiting with Federation members at the union's annual legislative reception Monday night in Olympia.
She got an earful from members on why her all-cuts budget is the wrong way to go in this down economy.
They told her: Save jobs, programs and the contract.
We know the governor got the message from the "I am not disposable" buttons that members wore. Because she asked what it meant. The governor wants to cut 2,600 state employees, close several institutions, state parks and fish hatcheries and cut or eliminate other programs for some of the most vulnerable citizens you care for. VIEW SLIDESHOW
The hearing on the Federation's lawsuit against the governor will be 9 a.m., Friday, Feb. 6, before Judge Anne Hirsch in Thurston County Superior Court. A decision is expected soon after.
As you recall, the governor's failure to forward a funding request leaves your contract in limbo.
Without that, it's unclear if the Legislature can even follow the law and vote up or down on your economic package. And if they can't do that, there is nothing to trigger re-negotiations so you can formally put alternatives to the cuts on the table or modify your negotiated package.
As it stands, the governor has basically decided unilaterally not to honor the contracts-excluding you and the Legislature from having any say.
Stayed informed at WFSE.org > State Budget & You
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