Session starts today; send a HOTLINE message to today

Legislators convene at noon today for the start of the 60-day session where they will deal with the new $2.6 billion deficit. The governor delivers her annual “State of the State” address tomorrow at noon where we hope to get details on what new revenue she may propose to avoid devastating cuts. She also testifies tomorrow on her budget before the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Key budget hearings take place Wednesday and Thursday.

COALITION STRENGTH GROWS

The coalition of groups supporting revenue options and closing tax loopholes that the Federation has joined has raised public awareness already. The Rebuilding Our Economic Future Coalition will deliver more than 14,200 petition signatures and postcards to lawmakers today—all gathered in just the past few days. The coalition has now grown to 99 groups.

MEMBERS FIGHT BACK IN THE MEDIA

And you’re fighting back against the anti-state employee think tanks that have been spreading their poison on newspaper editorial pages across the state. Many of you have submitted letters to the editor that have been published—too many to acknowledge here.

And you, through your Executive Director Greg Devereux, have gotten the message out through guest columns, including this weekend in the Seattle Times and the Vancouver Columbian.

Here’s an excerpt from The Columbian:

It is clear we have reached a defining moment for our generation. We need to raise revenue and close appropriate tax loopholes. There are numerous ways to equitably raise revenue. Similarly, of the $98.5 billion in tax exemptions given in this state, $14.8 billion could easily be eliminated or suspended, according to the state Department of Revenue’s latest report on tax exemptions. That includes tax breaks for: stadiums for the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Mariners; dealers in precious metals and bullion; and condominium maintenance fees.

Continue to let us know when a nasty editorial or op-ed crops up in your local newspaper or local radio or TV station. And don’t hesitate to write a letter to the editor and/or add online comments and blog responses.

MORE THAN 100 MEMBER LOBBYISTS IN TRAINING GAIN SUPPORT FROM TOP HOUSE MEMBER

Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, D-43rd Dist., told more than 100 member lobbyists at training Saturday in Seattle that he will work against his colleagues’ attempts to cut institutions and programs and forget the human element.

“Put people first,” Chopp said, describing his philosophy.

He said Federation members will gain traction by speaking the truth to legislators—facts and the human impact they’re not getting anywhere else.

Federation President Carol Dotlich told those at lobbying training that members need to resist the temptation to be discouraged.

“We need to be ready to rock and roll,” Dotlich said. Much can be done “if you use your power and use it well.”

CALL TO ACTION

We have to continue to send the message to legislators. Many lawmakers cannot resist the temptation to balance the budget on the backs of the quality services you provide. But we must from Day 1 RESIST those cuts and keep that resistance going all session long.

So, call your legislators at 1-800-562-6000 and remind them: It’s time for shared sacrifices on the budget. State employees have already sacrificed more than $1 billion in pay, pension contributions, health care funding and layoffs. Now is the time to raise revenue and close tax loopholes. (Feel free to add the impact of cuts on your specific program.)

HOTLINE HOURS

The legislative message Hotline is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.