From: camille monzon
To: sharontomiko.santos@leg.wa.gov
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 7:22 PM
Subject: HB 2097

Dear Representative Tomiko-Santos:

I write to ask you to vote "NO" on HB 2097, if it comes to the floor of the House. Currently it is before the Ways & Means Committee under Rep. Ross Hunter's leadership. HB 2097 will have deleterious effects upon all LEOFF 1 members, their families, employers and also the LEOFF 2 system as well.

This proposed law is flawed, and was drafted very quickly with little or no regard as to the consequences and fall out pursuant to such legislation. I understand the State is faced with a daunting budget shortfall due to the Great Recession and a less-than-stellar-performing economy; however, legislators should not try to make it up on the backs of the 8,000 members of LEOFF 1 here in the State of Washington. HB 2097 attempts to do just that. This proposed legislation's attempt to meld two vastly different LEOFF systems into one is doomed (we hope) from the get-go; you will find that the old adage: "one size fits all," does not apply here.

My late husband, former Chief of the Seattle Fire Department and Seattle City Councilmember Jack N. Richards, fought for the rights and benefits of all firefighters and their families throughout his lengthy career as a public servant. When he was executive secretary of the Seattle Firefighters Pension Board, he still continued to fight any concept or legislation that threatened firefighters. If Jack were here now, he would be there in front of you, asking you to consider the rights of firefighters and their families. And he wouldn't stop with you; he would continue to champion what he believed in, whether it was in Olympia and the legislators or the Mayor of Seattle and/or the City Council.

Thank you for taking the time to read my missive, Representative Tomiko-Santos. There are 8,000 other LEOFF 1 members who believe as I do and they thank you, too, I'm sure. Please vote "NO." on HB 2097 should it come before you on the floor of the House.

Very sincerely,
Camille Monzon-Richards

TO: Representative Jeff Morris
CC: Representative Kristine Lytton
Senator Kevin Ranker

FROM: Mr. Barry NEWSOM
SUBJECT: Opposition HB 2097, LEOFF 1 fund raid

MESSAGE: MY name is Barry Newsom. April 27, 2011

I am a retired & line-of-duty disability LEOFF 1 Seattle PD officer. MY hard won and solvent pension allowance is again under attack as another financial raid for its' TRUST funds is launched. To do what? Prop up the bad financial decisions of the past, by mismanage revenues by previous LEGISLATOR; HONORABLE SIRS' and MADDAM, "HANDS OFF!" CEASE & DESIST! I sent YOU to Olympia to PROTECT me, & other retired officers & firefighters, not to manipulate and prima-facie surrender our earned future allowances. What is it about this state not understanding the word 'PENSION TRUST’?

As a prime sponsor of the HB, I would be ashamed to have my name associated with this bad proposal. If you are in need of cash, why don't YOU raid YOUR pension funds to adjust for the states own mistakes. The state has bungled the teachers’ pension, twice. With you being a sponsor, are you enjoying (in the name of good for all people) pushing along a misunderstood, complex, and 'BUMS' RUSH' bill? Call me so we can soon meet & openly discuss what you are actually proposing.

Don't BREAK something that IS NOT BROKEN; just to try an fix it later with uncertain future dollars. If true to history, the states pension fixes are any indicator, they have been done unimpassioned and pathetical compromised.

'NO COMINGLING' of investment board TRUST MONIES!

Please be mindful: Forty years of legislation and litigation resolve has been conducted to develop and keep LEOFF I whole and fiscally solid. No actuarial reports or fiscal statements were used, called for, offered or considered to justify any valid peer-review that competently redresses the obvious EGREGIOUS INEQUITIES that this HB suggests. There is no way to get to any clearly defined stated objective.
I ask, What? ...'15 million dollars'; where, who verified that number and on what basis? This bill is NOT a budget bill; this is a PENSION bill. Please be assured that there WILL BE FAST & FURIOUS & AGRESSIVE local, state and federal legal court challenges to a willful & mean-spirited financial levy that is a tangible theft of PENSION TRUST assets!

I request you to meet with our assembled LEOFF I officers & justify to them, face to face, this good HB will have for them and our future. YOUR HOMEWORK HAS NOT BEEN DONE. If you think you have done it, you have FAILED out of the blocks! You made a PROMISE to the new LEOFF I members in early 70's; you got our word and deed in the form of transferred fund$ and our working contributions to the LEOFF I fund. We have lived up to our side of the agreement, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO THE SAME. I thank you in advance for your review, reconsideration and support to radically OPPOSE HB 2097. Please make your personal reply as to your firm position.

Regards, Barry NEWSOM, SPD Ret'd.