Washington State Senate Democrats: Rodney Tom

VIDEO: Sen. Tom special session, budget deal de-brief

Senate Democrats — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:15:00 GMT

Sen. Tom’s 3-23-12 E-Newsletter

Senate Democrats — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:24:14 GMT

Sen. Tom’s 3-16-12 E-Newsletter

Senate Democrats — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 23:40:20 GMT

OP-ED: Irresponsible budgets hurt education

Senate Democrats — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:37:00 GMT

Two weeks ago we joined a bipartisan majority of state senators to present a long-term sustainable budget that doesn't spend more money than the state expects to collect. This proposal not only addresses the remaining 16 months left in the current two-year budget cycle, but also the next two-year budget cycle through mid-2015. Families and small businesses face serious consequences if they do not live within their means and plan for the future; state government is no different.

We represent our constituents with the shared belief that education is the single most important part of maintaining and improving our state. Since the initial Senate budget proposal, we have worked to restore not only all basic-education funding but also other key services as well.

One of the programs for which we have been able to restore funding is called Working Connections Child Care; it helps educate our youngest children while allowing their parents to pursue their own education or work goals putting them on a path to self-sufficiency.

Like many of you, we were concerned about the education-policy changes in the initial budget, but we also knew those concerns would be addressed before a final budget was approved. Despite the silence due to the lack of cooperation during negotiations, we have taken it upon ourselves to not waste time and instead used this past week to create solutions.

On Thursday morning, alongside many of our Senate colleagues, we released a new budget that addresses the concerns we had regarding support for education and programs that aid the most vulnerable. This updated Senate proposal is a viable approach that prioritizes long-term sustainability and restores all K-12 and higher education funding without making cuts to basic education or levy-equalization payments, which keeps K-12 and higher education intact.

The last thing our schools or colleges need is a shortsighted approach that guarantees yet another budget deficit next year. The House proposes to invent a “13th month” for accounting purposes and shove all our problems there. If that plan were approved, we would be looking at a projected $2.1 billion shortfall next year. A deficit of this magnitude would pose a dangerous threat to basic education and devastate higher education. We are working together to shield the next generation from these attacks on their future.

We are dismayed with the gridlock in budget negotiations; that’s why we stepped forward with a willingness to listen and lead. The House’s refusal to consider our initial proposal has left us perplexed and disappointed. It is our hope that this new bipartisan plan will finally bring about a desire to work together.

We are firmly committed to delivering a budget that protects education and allows our state to live within its means now and in the future. We are confident that both chambers will work together to create a bipartisan plan a majority of lawmakers can support – a plan in which Washington residents can have confidence and one that still pursues the public’s core priorities, even during times of economic uncertainty.

Sens. Joe Fain (R-47), Andy Hill (R-45), Steve Litzow (R-41) and Rodney Tom (D-48), serve on the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee, with Litzow as the ranking minority member. Sen. Tom chairs the Senate Higher Education Committee with Sen. Hill as the ranking minority member.

Up Front: Legislature heads into special session

Senate Democrats — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 21:25:00 GMT

Sen. Tom issues statement regarding vote on parliamentary procedure

Senate Democrats — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 01:55:00 GMT

Senator Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, issued the following statement regarding his vote on a parliamentary procedure to pull the governor's proposed operating budget to the Senate floor:

"Today I stood with a bipartisan group of legislators to support an operating budget and a series of government reforms that will put our state on a strong fiscal footing.

“Since before this legislative session began, the message from my constituents has been loud and clear. Another budget that is unsustainable, relies upon accounting gimmicks and sets our state up for a perennial deficit is simply unacceptable.

“If we ever want to get ahead of our budget crises, our state needs wholesale government reform and a budget that reflects our commitment to sustainable governing.

“This year, I introduced several reform proposals aimed at bending our state’s cost curve, including efforts to shore up our state’s pension system. I also made my support clear regarding proposals to lower our state debt limit and require that our state balance our budgets with long-term sustainability in mind. Each of these proposals represent critical tools in achieving a sustainable budget that will restore the public’s confidence in our state’s fiscal outlook.

“Unfortunately, with one week left in the regular session, it became clear that a true commitment to a sustainable budget and wholesale government reform had failed to emerge in the Legislature.

“My commitment to my constituents and to sound policy will always override my commitment to the party hierarchy. I am proud of the work we have done today on behalf of the citizens of Washington. It is my hope that today’s actions will show the public that the will within the Legislature to budget sustainably does indeed exist.”

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For more information, Michael Althauser, 360-786-7326

Sen. Tom’s 3-2-12 E-Newsletter

Senate Democrats — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:51:09 GMT

VIDEO: Sen. Tom discusses Senate operating budget proposal

Senate Democrats — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:29:33 GMT

Sen. Tom’s 2-24-12 E-Newsletter

Senate Democrats — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:24:17 GMT

BLOG: Reform pensions to reduce state vulnerability during tough times

Senate Democrats — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:27:00 GMT

In Washington, we're lucky to have one of the best pension systems in the nation when it comes to funding our liabilities. But while our funds appear healthy today, it's the health of our funds tomorrow that worries me. Lawmakers ought not turn a blind eye to promises with little chance of fulfillment.

The glaring problem is that all our pension assumptions are based upon a long-term return of 8 percent.

In the investment arena, there aren’t too many people that can find a solid 8 percent return on their investment. It turns out that in the public sector, there aren’t too many that can either.

Since the financial crisis, at least 19 state and local pension plans have cut their return targets. While we’ve held steady at 8 percent, it’s easy to see the danger in complacency. If you take that 8 percent and only receive a return of 7 percent, then we go from a once fully-funded pension system to one that is over $6 billion in the red.

This session, I’ve proposed a bill, Senate Bill 6543, that would help address our growing pension liabilities, creating a healthy pension system that won’t burden future budgets and limit our ability to pay for services.

Most state pension benefits are calculated as a set percentage, increasing 1-2 percent with each year of service. That percentage is then applied to a retiree’s average salary over the 5-year period during which the retiree was paid the most.

But a loophole has allowed state employees to take advantage of the system.

It’s become common practice now for retirees to “sprint to the finish,” racking up large sums in overtime in their last five years of service. Their pensions are then based off significantly larger salaries than the base salary averaged over their careers, ballooning pension payments to the detriment of the system.

SB 6543 would not change the benefit formula for current government employees, but would prohibit overtime in pension calculations for new employees.

The bill would also require the state actuary to calculate, and the Department of Retirement Systems to collect, supplemental pension contributions from a current member’s employer for overtime that the member works.

Not only do we need to curtail the costs imposed on our retirement system by inflated pensions, we also need to create a disincentive when it comes to the assignment of costly overtime hours in the first place. Our current system doesn’t fully account for the true costs of overtime and its impact on our pension liabilities.

We have a duty to fulfill our promises made to current state employees – and we will. The focus this year must be on reform and bending the cost curve of state government so we don’t come back year after year with another new budget deficit.

This bill gets us moving in the right direction, increasing the health of our pension system without the sacrifice of current benefits in the process.

If we do nothing, the story is likely to end like that in Vallejo, California where pretty much all the taxes are going towards past retirement obligations, leaving no money for current services. This is a situation we have a responsibility to avoid.

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