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Rep. Bailey honored with
school retirees’ association award
The Washington State
School Retirees’ Association (WSSRA) has named
Rep. Barbara Bailey
winner of its Legislative Excellence Award. Bailey, R-Oak Harbor,
accepted the award at the WSSRA Annual Convention earlier this month in
Yakima.
According to WSSRA Legislative Coordinator Leslie Main, the honor is
given in recognition of outstanding efforts on behalf of Washington
state’s school retirees.
During the 2006 legislative session, Bailey introduced House Bill 2687
which sought to establish a $1,000 minimum monthly benefit for certain
retired teachers and public employees who have had at least 20 years of
service and have been retired for at least 25 years. The 10th District
lawmaker noted that inflation and the cost of living has made it
difficult for long-time retirees to live on less than $1,000 a month.
The measure passed the House unanimously, but in the final outcome, it
was the identical Senate companion measure, Senate Bill 6453, that was
approved by the Legislature.
In a letter to Bailey,
Main wrote, "WSSRA very much appreciates your leadership as prime
sponsor of the House version of the $1,000 minimum benefit improvements
bill, HB 2687. Though it was the Senate companion bill (SB 6453) that
ended up being signed by the governor, you provided the leadership in
successfully shepherding the proposal through the legislative
process."
Main added that nearly
1,800 retired teachers and public employees who have significant years
of service and retirement and are on the lowest end of the pension
benefit spectrum will be helped by this legislation.
"It is a great honor to receive this award from the Washington State
School Retirees’ Association. Our teachers are among Washington’s most
valuable assets. They really do care about the success of our children,
and they are constantly shaping the future of our state," said Bailey.
"Most have put their hearts and souls into the job of educating kids.
When teachers and public employees retire after lengthy and dedicated
service, they should at least have an equitable minimum monthly benefit
that takes into account inflation and the cost of living. That’s what we
worked to accomplish through legislation this year."
WSSRA is a statewide organization of more than 16,000 members and is
based in Lacey.
Rep. Barbara Bailey
accepts the Legislative Excellence award from
WSSRA Legislative Committee Chairman Robert Rhule.
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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