February has proven to be a very busy month with the transition in the secretary’s position and with the legislature being in session. 

Our new Secretary/Treasurer/Newsletter Editor Caroline Brakken is continuously showing her dedication and ability.  She has been a delight to work with.  She appears to be as excited and enthusiastic as she was when she applied for the position. 

This transition has been more difficult than in a more normal change of officers.  Caroline, being an outsider and not having been a firefighter is not as familiar with terms, titles, offices and organizations as a retired firefighter would be.  As a result she for example was not totally familiar with the legislative process or the authority and duties of the various state agencies that many of us have grown up with, agencies such as (DRS) Department of Retirement systems, (HCA) the State Healthcare Authority, (SIB) the State Investment Board, the State Actuary, (PDC) Public Disclosure Commission etc.  She also had to learn the roll and function of Local 27 and other firefighter union locals across the state, the Washington State Council of Firefighters and the IAFF, the International Association of Firefighters.  She also found out that the Seattle Firefighters Pension Board does not serve the entire state and that there are approximately 80 police and fire pension or disability boards across the state.  Some of these boards are county boards and some are city boards created by RCW 41.26 the LEOFF 1 Pension system.  Some are city boards that were established in RCW 41.16 and RCW 41.20 the Prior Retirement Laws that were separate laws for police officers and firefighters.  She also has to know how to distinguish between the Prior Pension Act, the LEOFF 1 Act and the LEOFF 11 Retirement System.  These are just a few examples.  We still have the Select Committee on Pension Policy, the LEOFF 11 Pension Board, the (P.F.C.) Pension Funding Council and the various legislative offices and committees.  All this is in addition to her duties and responsibilities in administering the RFFOW office.  I sometimes think she wants to learn everything in one day or one week as with every phone conversation there are many questions.  I want to acknowledge once again that she is a quick study and perhaps my position might be in jeopardy!!!

We have accomplished a lot in the last month.  We have transferred the officer’s names and our address and phone numbers on all the bank accounts, CD’s and credit cards at each bank and credit union.  I question why a simple task becomes so difficult.  We have retained a new printer and mailing service for our Newsletter which should improve the quality of the Newsletter and shorten the delivery time.  We have changed the format and want to incorporate some new ideas and additional information.  For any changes to be successful will depend on the input we receive from local pension boards and individual member participation.

A few examples as I mentioned in the February Newsletter are:

We would like to answer a question or two each month regarding a retirement benefit or a retirement law, Prior Act, LEOFF 1 or LEOFF 11.  An answer to your question may also enlighten other members.

News from pension boards around the state including issues, policies and decisions.  Articles or answers to questions directed to Matt Smith the State Actuary.

Articles or answers to questions directed to Matt Smith the State Actuary.

• Local or regional firefighter events and activities.
• Human interest stories regarding members who have a particular interest, skill or hobby.
• A short story regarding a vacation or other experience.
• Decisions by Labor & Industries involving claims for the $150,000 death benefit as a result of an occupational illness or accident.  Also claims for LEOFF 11 members who are disabled on the job and are awarded a full or particular L & I disability pension.
• We would also like to list the names of all deceased members throughout the state, even if a memorial service has been held.  This would inform members who knew or worked with the deceased member and who have since moved out of the area, allowing them to acknowledge the loss of a friend.

As I ask you for this type of information I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge Ray Sanderson’s (ret. Yakima) continued contribution to our Newsletter.  As you know Ray is a tremendous resource, a member of the Yakima Pension Board and very knowledgeable and dedicated to the betterment of the firefighters and their families.  I swear I don’t know where he gets his information, his tenacious effort and his willingness to help.   keep thinking that I should ask him to develop (as much as I hate to use the word) a lesson plan in locating all material he writes in relation to firefighters and other working men and women.  His contribution to our Newsletter is very much appreciated.

The 2009 legislative session is moving quickly.  You are all aware of the state’s budget problems, the eight billion dollar shortfall and some of the suggestions that are being made in this regard.  The Federal Stimulus Bill will ease the pain if the state receives the promised three to four billion dollars.  Even with this huge contribution there will still be a three to four billion dollar shortfall.  The plan of attack may include a mix of program reductions and increased taxes.  Any increase in taxes may be counter productive as it may lead to decreased spending which would affect the economy and contribute to another shortfall.  A tax increase would be another blow to many middle class working men and women.  Another tax increase would be very difficult for these workers facing wage freezes, lost retirement investments, devalued houses, layoffs, increased property and fuel taxes, soaring utility rates, increasing grocery and medical costs to accept, especially for those on Social Security or fixed retirements.

Our bills with little or no cost to the state are moving at a fast pace.  We have had hearings in the House and Senate on several of our bills.  We were able to testify in the House Ways and Means Committee on HB 1506 and in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on SB 5311.   I am pleased to report these two companion bills dealing with RCW 41.18 the Prior Act have now been passed out of their committees and are now being considered by the Rules Committee in each house.  These two bills will create a new survivor option in the Prior Act, and will allow the survivor of a member who retired under the Prior Act on a disability to remarry and retain their pension.   The bill will also protect the second check for a survivor of a dual member who retired on a disability pension under LEOFF 1 if the spouse remarries.

We testified on HB 1212, a bill that will allow a surviving spouse of a LEOFF 11 member police or fire, who is killed in the line of duty the right to retain the State Industrial Insurance Pension if remarried.  This bill has now passed the House Labor and Commerce Committee and is in the House Rules Committee. 

We also spoke in favor of HB 1219 and the companion bill SB 5238.  Both bills deal with DRS mailings and have also passed out of their committees and are now in Rules.
We testified on HB 1547, a bill to increase the $150,000 Death Benefit for a death as a result of an occupational illness or injury.  The bill has been passed out of committee and sent to Rules.  This bill does not create a C.O.L.A. but it does increase the $150,000 benefit to $170,000.

We are also supporting some additional LEOFF 11 bills which were introduced by the LEOFF 11 Board.  I will report on all of these bills next month when we will have a better indication of their progress. 

We want to register our disappointment with the announcement that two respected state department directors are leaving state employment.  Joe Dear, a longtime friend and able director of the State Investment Board and Sandy Matheson, the director of the State Retirement Systems have submitted their resignations.  Sandy has been the Director of DRS for the past four years and has always had an open door and I believe a sincere interest in the members.