February 12, 2010

Turnout needed at revenue hearing Saturday; calls needed on keys bills; bodies needed at rallies

    • REVENUE, TAX LOOPHOLES HEARING.    The hearing is on 2ESB 6843, temporarily suspending Initiative 960 to allow majority votes in the Legislature on revenue increases, and HB 3176, the bill to close tax loopholes. The hearing is in the House Finance Committee, 9 a.m., this Saturday, Feb. 13, in Hearing Room A in the John L. O’Brien Building. Come to the Federation Building by 8 a.m. Saturday morning and breakfast is on us. We’ll deck you out in AFSCME green. We’ll leave at 8:30 to proceed to the hearing. Questions? Call April Sims or Diana Whitmore at 1-800-562-6002. 
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    • MONDAY’S PUBLIC EMPLOYEE/REVENUE RALLY.  Come out this Monday, Presidents’ Day, Feb. 15. The rally will be at noon on the Capitol steps. But you can get a pre-rally briefing, lunch and lobbying appointments by showing up at the cafeteria in the Natural Resources Building (across the street from Federation Headquarters) starting at 9 a.m. 
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    • KEEP THE CALLS COMING:   Call 1-800-562-6000. Tell your legislators:

      STOP HEALTH CUTS! Tell them to do the right thing. Restore the $300 million in state employee health insurance funds. They created the problem when they underfunded your health plan in 2008. Tell them that only half of that needs to be state funds—the rest would be from federal and other funds.

      RAISE REVENUE! SUPPORT 2ESB 6843 to amend I-960 and allow majority rule on revenue issues.

      CLOSE TAX LOOPHOLES! SUPPORT HB 3176 to close tax loopholes to recoup hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue.

      OPPOSE FURLOUGHS! OPPOSE SSB 6503, the state employee furlough bill. Its unintended consequences will cost more, not less.       
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    • OTHER RALLIES COMING UP:

      SAVE FRANCES HADDON MORGAN CENTER, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., this Saturday, Feb. 13, along Kitsap Way in Bremerton. Gather at Arnold’s Home Furnishings parking lot, 3506 Kitsap Way, Bremerton, 98312.

      UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, to fight program cuts and attacks on state employees, 10:45 a.m. – 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 18, Red Square (near Suzzallo Library).

      SAVE PINE LODGE, TBA. Watch for details.
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