Get on the bus and come to Olympia for the Presidents' Day Rally and Lobby Day

Rally February 15, 2010

Join thousands of other public employees at noon on Monday, February 15, on the Capitol steps in Olympia to rally the legislature for revenue to protect our future.

Cuts to safety net programs are unjust. Safety net programs have already been cut to the bone. We're urging legislators to support raising new revenue and closing some of the $14.8 billion tax loopholes to help save our safety net.

We must show legislators how much is at stake if huge proposed cuts go through. Anti-state employee forces will also be rallying that day, so we must be there to counter their wrong-headed message.

RSVP here - REGISTER today:

Send us the letter below to tell us your plans for the day. When you RSVP, we'll arrange for your lunch and make appointments for you to meet with your legislators.

Here's what you can do:

• Attend the rally at noon on Monday, February 15 - President's Day holiday.

• Schedule to meet with your legislators while you're at the Capitol. 

• Can't attend the rally? Call the legislative hotline at 800-562-6000 on February 15th and leave them a message urging them to support revenue options that include closing tax loopholes.

Staging begins at 9:00 AM at the DNR building (across from WFSE HQ Office) with a group briefing. Background information, messaging and resources will be distributed at the briefing.

But if you can't make the briefing, you can join us at the rally.

Green it up! Wear your green AFSCME t-shirt. Don't have one? Pick one up at the AM briefing.
Schedule:

• 9 AM - Briefing at the Natural Resources Building Cafeteria.
• 9:30 to Noon - Opportunity for appointments with your legislators.
• Noon Rally - Capitol steps.
• 1:30 - Opportunity for afternoon appointments with legislators.
  

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• RSVP here!

• Download flyers to share.
  

THIS IS NOT A DRILL

SENATE BILL 6503 WILL TAKE PAY from hard working state employees. It will go through executive session today and be heard on the floor tomorrow. It has come up quickly and suddenly and must be fought quickly and suddenly. Please call the hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and leave a message for your Senator, In addition you may leave messages to the following decision makers on the Ways and Means committee: Prentice, Fraser, Tom, Zarelli, Brandland, Carrell, Fairley, Hewitt, Hobbs, Honeyford, Keiser, Kline, Kohl-Welles, Mc Dermott, Murray, Oemig, Parlette, Pflug, Pridemore, Regala, Rockefeller, Schoesler.

Speaker Of The House Visits SOLAs

On December 30, Representative Frank Chopp visited two SOLA homes in King County, one in Kent and the other in Renton. Representative Chopp was escorted by Matt Zuvich and I as well as other members who work in SOLA. Representative Chopp was greeted warmly by the people residing in the homes and by the wonderful state employees, WFSE members, who assist them. Residents of the SOLA homes proudly showed Representative Chopp their rooms that had been adapted to meet their needs and how the home was ADA accessible including a roll in shower for those residents requiring total care. One resident discussed her concerns regarding the denials she has received from Medicaid for a new wheelchair that she desperately needs to prevent pressure sores. She continues to appeal to Medicaid for her wheelchair. Our members talked about visits and interactions the residents they serve have with their families and friends.

Representative Chopp asked how the neighborhood has accepted the SOLA home and state employees, our members, shared their stories with him. They told him that many of the neighbors were leery at first. One neighbor came to the home and told them that they had lowered his property values. Another neighbor called the police when one of the residents was outside enjoying a picnic. This resident is non-verbal and expresses herself through loud vocalizations when she is happy. The neighbors thought this was a child being abused and called the police. This incident and others like it are what our most vulnerable clients experience when they move into our local neighborhoods. Without the specialized support the residents receive from valued State Employees, their transition into the Community would be much more difficult.

Many thanks to the Residents and Staff at the SOLA homes, for allowing us to visit your home. I had a wonderful time visiting and getting to know all of you.

In solidarity,

Sue Henricksen