I want to thank those of you who contacted your legislators or the members of the House Ways & Means Committee to voice your objection to HB 2097. HB 2097 is the bill that was introduced without notice in the eleventh hour of the legislative session that would merge the LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 Pension Systems and co-mingle the two pension funds.

To those of you who didn't contact a legislator, I have to ask why? Maybe it's because you feel others will e-mail, write or call and express your concerns. Maybe it's because you are intimidated, don't know enough about the issue or are afraid that you will be asked questions or be put in a position to debate the issue. Let me assure you that you will not find yourself in this situation. This system is for the most sophisticated computer user, the most informed member who is very articulate with pencil and paper, and for the member who is opposed to an issue but doesn't know why and can only dial a phone. Even if you don't know the names of your legislative district legislators or your legislative district number, you don't have to be embarrassed. All you have to do is call the Legislative Information Center (360)786-7573.

An aid will give you the information you need. If you don't know the names of your two Representatives or State Senator they can give you the names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail address. You do have to know your legislative district number to get any of the above information. If you don't know your legislative district number just give them your address, they will give you your legislative district number and then be able to give you the information you requested. If you are not comfortable with this process and you know your legislative district number or the names of your district Representatives or Senator you can call the Hot Line 1-800-562-6000 and leave a message for your Representatives. Your call will be received by an aid or you will be asked to leave a recorded message. Just state whom your message is for, your message, and that you are opposed to HB 2097. No questions will be asked.

If you wish to include a comment in addition to your objection to the bill, here are some thoughts: o The bill is unfair to LEOFF 1 members. o The LEOFF 1 Fund is closed and funded. Why put it in jeopardy or tamper with it. o The bill as written will not include representation by LEOFF 1 members on the board. o There may be legal issues that should be addressed first.

I hope this explanation will reduce your frustrations and encourage you to contact your legislators when requested. I also want to thank those of you who make the $3.00 per year donation to the Legislative Fund with the payment of the fortyfive dollar annual dues. In addition, I want to acknowledge and thank the many members who make individual contributions to our legislative fund during the year. Without these donations we would be very limited in our political action activities, particularly in the area of attending functions and making donations to candidates and elected officials which is an important part of our legislative program.

We sent out the recent letter (flier) as we wanted to contact those members who do not have computers or e-mail addresses. We felt that those of you who have not been receiving the many e-mails that we have sent since HB 2097 was introduced are probably not aware that the bill was introduced, or of the consequences if this bill becomes law. We sent the letter in the flier format designed by Monica, to reduce the cost and mailed it with first class postage to give you enough time to react to this bill. This special mailing alone cost $700.00.

We have had a good response from our earlier e-mails. The legislators were receiving calls while I was in their offices last week so I know that many of you are calling. We have received responses from legislators that have been forwarded to us in answer to e-mails that members have sent. As of this writing I believe we have stopped HB 2097 but we can't be certain until the special session is adjourned.

Please continue the phone calls, emails and Hot Line messages. It would help if those of you who do not have a computer could give us an emergency e-mail address of a friend or relative that we could use to forward a message of an emergency nature. Think about it. We would not use this e-mail address on a routine basis, only for an important issue.

I received a personal comment from Representative Ross Hunter, Chair of the House Ways & Means Committee that he will not give the bill a hearing. About a week after I notified the other groups of Ross Hunter's comment, I got a call from a group telling me that Representative Ross Hunter said he won't give the bill a hearing. Strange how some messages are passed on. One never knows when some political arm twisting, threats or other legislative maneuvers can bring a different result. I did write to Senator Ed Murray, Chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee. Representative Ross Hunter, Chair of the House Ways & Means Committee, former Senator and Supreme Court Justice Phil Talmadge, and attorney Joe Fischnaller to ask, if HB 2097 is not passed, can the intent as addressed in HB 2097 be included in the final budget and become law when the budget is passed. This would be similar to the process that was used when the LEOFF 1 Contribution Holiday was created. The Contribution Holiday was not created by passage of a bill. It was simply included as a budget item in the dark of the night. Two court hearings and the Court of Appeals determined it to be legal. The quick response from Phil Talmadge and Representative Ross Hunter to the above question was no.

We have had two meetings with a financial consultant who is evaluating our financial records, software and accounting procedures. All indications are that she will make the process easier, more accurate and professional. In addition she will develop a credible auditing procedure and a safe back-up system of our records. We want to be good stewards of your finances. These policies will be in the RFFOW Policy and Procedures Manual and will make it much easier for our successors.