The following articles deal with merger issues. There are lots more on this site but these should provide some good background info.
TRS Underfunding
https://leoff1.net/2016/09/04/trs-underfunding/
By Admin on September 4, 2016 in 2016 Legislature, LEOFF 1/TRS 1 Merger, Merger
One of the major concerns of LEOFF 1 members about the proposed TRS 1/LEOFF 1 merger is the failure of the legislature to properly fund the TRS 1 pension plan. In fact, the under funding has been so bad that there is no reason to expect the legislature will address these issues in the future. This would condemn LEOFF 1 to a chronically underfunded pension and subject it to the threat of a move to lower or alter benefits.
Ice Miller Opinions on the Merger
https://leoff1.net/2016/09/05/ice-miller-opinions-on-the-merger/
By Admin on September 5, 2016 in 2016 Legislature, LEOFF 1/LEOFF 2 Merger, LEOFF 1/TRS 1 Merger, Merger
Ice Miller is a law firm located in Chicago with offices in several cities. The firm serves as counsel to the State of Washington primarily on tax issues. Whenever the state is concerned about potential tax issues in legislation they normally engage Ice Miller to conduct a review. As such they serve as an acting attorney general. Because of this their opinions are normally held to be confidential and are not made available to the citizens of the state. Once in a while that confidentiality is broken and we get a look at their advice.
Treachery
https://leoff1.net/2016/09/18/treachery/
By Admin on September 18, 2016 in 2016 Legislature, SB 6668
It is not uncommon to hear our elected officials heap praise onto the first responders. Of course this is always more common around September 11th and other major events where a police officer or fire fighter has sacrificed his or her life trying to save someone else. Of course the praise fades quickly when the politicians see traction to be gained by attacking those same folks. It is sort of like a seesaw. Praise one day and vitriolic hate the next.
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