Talk to your local media about budget impacts of potential LEOFF 2 costs

AWC has been hearing from cities across the state about the impacts from potential increases in Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Plan 2 (LEOFF 2) pension costs. This plan covers all full time commissioned law enforcement officers and firefighters. While the House budget does not change current law related to LEOFF 2 contributions, the Senate budget eliminates the state’s 20 percent share of the contribution, increasing the employer’s share from 30 percent to 50 percent. Fire districts would be exempt from this policy with the state continuing to pay its 20 percent share.

This cost shift to cities would increase city expenses by over $70 million for the 2017-2019 biennium. The Senate budget’s proposed rate structure is below and would go into effect on July 1, 2017. AWC has been encouraging cities to calculate the impact of this cost shift and share the impacts to your city with your local legislators. AWC also encourages all of our cities to reach out to local media to illustrate the alarming fiscal impacts a LEOFF 2 contribution change would create. We need to all work to draw attention to this major cost shift in order to prevent it from being included in the final budget.