FISH AND WILDLIFE LOBBY LEGISLATORS AGAINST PRIVATIZATION OF HATCHERIES, FOR ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS PENSION CREDIT BILL

Dozens of Federation Fish and Wildlife members from hatcheries and enforcement thronged to the Capitol today to oppose one bill and support another.

They pressed lawmakers to oppose SHB 1951, the bill privatizing the seven fish hatcheries targeted by Gov. Gregoire’s budget for closure. They said it’s premature to even consider a bill based on the governor’s all-cuts plan which may change. The bill is now in the House Rules Committee, which would schedule the bill for a vote of the full House.

The Fish and Wildlife members also urged legislators to support SHB 1953, the bill allowing Fish and Wildlife enforcement officers to transfer service credit from PERS 2 or PERS 3 to the LEOFF 2 retirement system. The bill passed the House Ways and Means Committee Monday night on a vote of 22-0. It, too, is in the House Rules Committee.

FISH AND WILDLIFE CALLS TO ACTION:

• Call 1-800-562-6000 and urge your legislators to oppose SHB 1951, the bill privatizing seven fish hatcheries. It puts the card before the horse because we need to oppose the governor’s all-cuts budget, HB 1244 and SB 5600.

• Call 1-800-562-6000 and urge legislators to support SHB 1953, the Fish and Wildlife enforcement officers’ service credit transfer bill. SHB 1953 is a matter of fairness. Fish and Wildlife enforcement officers are the only LEOFF 2 enrollees denied the PERS service credit.