By
Council 2 Deputy Director J. Pat Thompson,
May 2, 2019
As this session wrapped up this year, we are happy to report that several measures important to our members are on their way to becoming law. Nearly 100 members went to the Capital this year and our agenda included several priorities. Happily, most will become law upon Governor Inslee’s...Read More
By
Council 2 Deputy Director Pat Thompson,
April 3, 2019
A little spring snow storm didn’t stop nearly a hundred Council 2 members from making their way to the Capital March 8th. This year all the action was on the floor in both the House and the Senate so our member/lobbyist sent in notes and asked lawmakers to step out for a moment to discuss issues...Read More
By
Council 2 Deputy Director J. Pat Thompson,
February 13, 2019
This year’s Legislative Session began on Monday, January 14th and a slew of Bills have been introduced that affect public employees.
Among the Bills your Union is following include:
HB 1575 / SB 5623: Strengthening the Rights of Public Employees.
This omnibus bill addresses the rights of public...Read More
By
Council 2 Deputy Director Pat Thompson,
April 10, 2018
The Governor has taken action on most bills that were passed by the Legislature. Among the bills signed into law were:
Engrossed Senate Bill 6229. New Employee Orientation: This measure requires all public employers to provide a minimum of 30 minutes for Union Representatives to greet newly...Read More
By
Council 2 Deputy Director Pat Thompson,
February 23, 2018
Nearly one hundred Council 2 members took their own time to lobby their Legislators on behalf of your Union. Armed with written material, they met with State Senators and Representatives to advocate for local government employees on the following issues:
SB 6079 – Prime Sponsor...Read More
By
Council 2 Deputy Director Pat Thompson,
January 29, 2018
The 2018 60 day “Short” Legislative Session began on January 8th with a 1 seat Senate Democratic Majority, the first in 5 years. Council 2’s endorsed candidate in the 45th District (Manka Dhingra) captured the seat by a whopping 10 point margin. This was by far the most expensive legislative...Read More
By
Council 2 Deputy Director Pat Thompson,
March 15, 2017
The first major cutoff for most bills passed on March 8th. Senate Bills were supposed to be passed by the full Senate and House Bills were supposed to be passed by the full House. There are exceptions of course and any bills deemed “Necessary to Implement the Budget” (NTIB) are exempt from...Read More
By
Council 2 Deputy Director Pat Thompson,
March 6, 2017
Legislative Town Halls:
As we are about half way through the Legislative Session, several lawmakers are coming back home to hold Town Hall meetings with their constituents. They need to hear from Local Government Employees about funding the important work you do. As reported previously, Local...Read More
By
Council 2 Deputy Director Pat Thompson,
February 24, 2017
Two of our Union’s Priority Legislative issues need your help:1% Property Tax Cap & HB 1764
The bi partisan effort to scrap Tim Eyman’s arbitrary 1% cap on property tax had successful hearings but needs to be voted out of their fiscal Committees by this Friday.
Please contact the following...Read More
By
Council 2 Deputy Director Pat Thompson,
February 3, 2017
Nearly 100 Council 2 members took to “The Hill” to advocate for critical funding to address the needs of Local Government in our communities. Topping the list of priority bills is HB 1764 which would scrap the current arbitrary 1% cap on property tax increases in favor of a rate that would be...Read More
By
Council 2 Deputy Director Pat Thompson,
February 19, 2016
(Despite Strong Bi Partisan Support)
All House Bills needed to be voted out of the House and all Senate Bills need to be voted out of the Senate by 5 pm on Wednesday February 17th. The exception, and there’s always exceptions, are bills deemed to be “Necessary to Implement the...Read More
