The special joint House subcommittee met 3 times this week to discuss HB1645, the omnibus retirement bill. SEA staff and members attended each of the work sessions held. The subcommittee went through the entire bill piece by piece over the course of the week, discussing each concept the bill put forward. Rep. Ricia McMahon, the chair, took a straw vote on each proposal in the bill, and nearly each item obtained majority support. Work sessions will be continuing, though, after the school vacation week, so this is a good time to try reaching the committee members at their home phone numbers and express dissatisfaction with the bill.

The full Finance Finance and ED&A Committees will vote on the bill on March 13^th before it goes to the House floor. If you have any questions, please call Brian Hawkins (271-3411 x120) or Jay Ward (271-3411 x110).

 

Health care for dependents under age 26 – HB1602, the bill to repeal extending health care coverage to children under the age of 26, was voted on by the Commerce Committee by a vote of 11 -7, Inexpedient to Legislate. The SEA political education committee opposed the repeal of this bill, but is also working to ensure that this dependent coverage is extended to state employees who are in a self-funded system.

Health care for divorced spouses – A similar attempt to repeal the health insurance extended to divorced spouses was unsuccessful in the House Commerce committee. HB1296 was voted ITL, by a vote of 12 – 6.

Both health care bills will be on the March 5^th House Calendar.

 

Hiring Freeze – Citing the ailing economy and a projected revenue shortfall for the second half of Fiscal Year 2008, Governor Lynch signed Executive Order 2008-1, ordering a hiring freeze for all full-time classified and unclassified employee positions that are funded using any general fund money. The freeze will extend until June 30, 2009. Also included is a freeze on equipment purchases and out-of-state travel.

Agency Spending Cut – The Governor also signed Executive Order 2008-2, which will hold back over $46 million dollars in state agency spending. This spending cut will not result in any state employee layoffs.

 

Safety in the Workplace – HB1469, which would mandate that safety conditions be a mandatory subject during collective bargaining, passed the Labor Committee as Amended by a vote of 9 – 4.

Evergreen Clause – HB1436 would require an inclusion of an automatic continuation clause in collective bargaining agreements with public employees. The bill passed the Labor Committee by a narrow vote of 8 – 6.

Expect both bills on the House Calendar for 3/5.