OLYMPIA — The Washington state Senate has approved a measure that attempts to end a loophole that allows state employees to collect both a pension and a paycheck.
On a unanimous vote Monday the Senate approved the measure that would stop the state’s “retire-rehire” policy, by which state employees can earn both a salary and a pension by going back to work shortly after retirement. The bill is sponsored by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown of Spokane and Republican Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt of Walla Walla.
Hewitt says the state can’t afford to pay some workers a pension and a paycheck.
An investigation by The Seattle Times last year found that 2,000 state employees were collecting both a pension and salary, costing taxpayers about $85 million yearly.
The bill now heads to the House.
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