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15 Local 27 members traveled to Olympia to meet with our state
legislators to discuss the following issues: alternate public safety
revenue, deferred compensation, LEOFF membership, death benefit
inflation adjustment, Military death benefit, military service credit,
medicare inclusion, and Seattle annexation tax exemption.
Thank you to Theresa Purtell, Kenny Stuart, Dave
Churchill, Dallas Baker, Chris Gilbert, Dennis Karl, Tim O'Mahony, Jon
Goins, Doug Grey, Penny Stone, RaeAnn Eckerman, Aaron Karls, Annie
Olson, Patrick Hubschman, and Aaron Bocchetti for taking their time to
work on our pension improvements.
Click here to see photos.
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During the morning sessions, members attended presentations on the following topics:
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Kelly Fox, WSCFF President, and Greg Markley, WSCFF Secretary/Treasurer, updated members on WSCFF issues. |
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Kevin Van DeWegge, District 24 House Representative (Western Olympic
Peninsula) and Clallam Co. Fire Fighter, gave the members tips on how
to talk to legislators. |
| Jim McIntire, District 46 House Representative (NE Seattle) and Revenue
Forcast Council Chair, discussed LEOFF pension alternate revenue
opportunities. |
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Steve Nelson, LEOFF 2 Board Executive Director, described the LEOFF 2 Board process and review of past recommended legislature. |
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Bud Sizemore, WSCFF Lobbyist and Kent Fire Fighter, presented WSCFF 2008 Legislative priorities. |
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Mike Kreidler, WA State Insurance Commissioner, presented health care
reform possibilities including a state wide mandatory catestrophic
coverage with some preventive screening component. This possible reform
could significantly reduce regular health insurance cost by including
everyone in the state and spreading the risk across a the state
population. |
| Ricky Walsh, IAFF 7th District VP, updated members on IAFF issues.
Senator Chris Dodd withdrew from the Presidential race. Remaining
presidental candidates are soliciting the IAFF for support. In 2007,
the 7th District raised $187,000 (first or second most of IAFF
Districts) for FirePAC and WA state raised $153,000. The new IAFF
FirePAC goal is $12/member/year. The 2008 IAFF Convention will be held
at the Rio resort in Las Vegas, August 10-15. A mini education seminar
will be held in Tumwater, March 18th and will cover
leadership/stratigic planning. There are 30 slots for Fire Ops at
Hammer, April 10 & 11, registration is $275. The 7th District
Benevolent Fund donated $100 match to the IAFF Relief's $500 to 7
members for the WA state flooding. June 13th is the shad fishing touney
on the Columbia River, see http://www.iaff7thdistrict.org/ for more
info. |
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Jake Riggs, Walla Walla Fire Fighters Union President, thanked the
Union for all the support during Walla Walla's fight to organize a
Union shop. |
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