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In the Advocate July 2025: Michael Righi The “Big, Ugly, Cruel Bill” Michael Righi The actual name for Trump’s domestic policy bill is One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). It is hard to imagine the sycophancy of Republicans, who named it that in order to please our Dear Leader. The bill is not finalized yet, and there are still some differences between the House and Senate versions, but Republicans have crafted it with a variety of gimmicks so that it can be passed on a majority vote with narrow Republican majorities in both houses. A War on the Public Good It is a tax cut bill for the rich, but it’s much more than that. Buried within its more than a thousand pages is the right-wing plan for the future, a war on the public good. Public institutions, collective care for the planet and each other – all of that is to be flattened. There are too many examples. What follows are just a few. Start with the militarization of immigration policy, which we are seeing in the news and on our streets daily. It started with ICE performative cruelty; the bill would add $150 billion to Stephen Miller’s mass deportation campaign. That’s 10,000 more masked and armed ICE goons and a massive increase in detention facilities. That is a police state intruding into our communities. Funding tax credits for clean energy or tax cuts for the wealthy? It’s clear what has to go. Not only will OBBBA cut clean energy programs, it would grant a tax break to oil and gas companies, essentially exempting them from a corporate minimum tax. The bill establishes as a goal to have school voucher programs in every state, despite the fact that these have been voted down several times, even in deep red states. Despite being pushed and funded by institutions like the Gates Foundation, studies of voucher schools prove they underperform public schools. Is that the point, to punish poor and working class families? There’s more, but let’s get to the tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. OBBBA mainly extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, plus some “lipstick on a pig” additional cuts for overtime pay and tips. The bill slashes Medicare, Medicaid, and food stamps, cuts that fall overwhelmingly on working class families. This is unprecedentedly ugly. Past Republican-sponsored tax cuts favored the wealthy and increased inequality. But they didn’t actually take from the poor. The OBBBA benefit cuts reduce the income of the poorest by about $2,000 per year while raising the income of the richest 10% by $12,000. The decline in well-being likely for the lower half of the income distribution would then be similar to a severe recession. Low-income folks are even worse off when tariffs, which are also regressive, are factored in. This is how Republicans are becoming the “party of the working class”. They will piss on you, and explain that it’s raining. And it’s your fault. The Yale School of Public Health estimates that OBBBA will lead to 51,000 additional deaths annually. Debts and Deficits Republican claims that tax cuts will unleash economic growth and so raise tax revenue are complete hogwash; no study, not one, has found any validity in trickle-down economics. That’s just more rain. Reliable analysis of OBBBA predicts it will raise the national debt by somewhere between $3 and $6 tril- lion over the next decade. That’s a wide range, but of course there is a lot of uncertainty. Let’s review some principles. Having the government spend more than it gets in revenue (run a budget deficit) was crucial in 2008, to prevent the financial crisis from becoming a depression. It was crucial in 2020 when COVID shut down the economy. It would also be great if it funded investments in clean energy, schooling, housing or infrastructure. But running deficits to fund tax cuts for the already wealthy? That is what has been happening for the last 45 years, driven by the demands of the rich unwilling to pay even modest taxes. Are deficits and debt becoming a problem? Yes. Bond investors are going to require higher interest rates to lend to the government. Interest costs are becoming a larger and larger part of the government’s budget. Higher interest rates are going to make it harder to buy a house or car, or for governments and firms to build climate investments. Usually it is Republicans who are the “debt scolds”; they use fear of debt to oppose social programs. If they were really worried about debt, they would go after tax cheats (that’s $600 billion a year) and refuse further tax cuts for the rich. But they won’t. They are hypocrites. Will the Trump clown show have serious consequences for the economy? Will ‘the bond market” get nervous about debt and restrain the orgy of tax cutting? It’s not clear yet, but it would surely be a lot better if OBBBA were trashed. That is what would happen in a democracy. Michael Righi is a retired economics professor and a member of the Retiree Advocate editorial board. BACK TO THE ADVOCATE

The Retire Advocate < Back to Table of Contents June 2025 Social Security Attacks Continue Steve Kofahl It seems that nearly every day we learn about a disturbing new aspect of the Trump administration’s ongoing attacks on Social Security, the Social Security Administration (SSA), and SSA employees. I write this on May 12, with a Washington Post piece (“The hidden ways Trump and DOGE are shutting down parts of the government”) in today’s Seattle Times. The article reveals that some SSA employees are running out of pens, paper, and printer toner because the US DOGE Service, on February 26, placed a $1 spending limit on each government-issue credit card that managers use to make purchases and pay for services. They cannot pay their phone bills, or for translation services, for example. Less than a dozen people at SSA, an agency with 1,300 work locations, are now authorized to make decisions on any purchase requests, causing lengthy backlogs and delays. How’s that for making government more efficient? Less than a week ago, Wall Street billionaire Frank Bisignano was confirmed 53-47 by the Senate to serve until January 2031 as SSA Commissioner. A self- described “DOGE person,” he was called out by the usually mild-mannered Oregon Senator Ron Wyden for lying to the Senate Finance Committee, when he denied having worked with DOGE and Trump’s Acting SSA Commissioner, Leland Dudek, for months before his confirmation. It was during this time that the SSA website crashed 3 times in 10 days, in March. Bisignano, who comes with a reputation for slashing jobs and treating workers disrespect- fully, has said that he intends to replace SSA 800-number agents with Artificial Intelligence (AI). Speaking of AI, SSA has already been utilizing it to some extent in the disability determination process. The National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI) has formed a task force that issued a report last month citing a number of concerns. One is the presence of bias in medical care and in medical record-keeping. How do we identify and mitigate it? NASI believes it imperative that hu- mans make the adjudicative decisions, including whether to obtain additional existing medical evidence or request a consultative exam paid for by SSA. SSA had more than 84,000 employ- ees in 1980, compared to about 50,000 today, with half as many Americans receiving benefits compared with today. Each of 1,200+ field offices had at least one SSA field representative to reach those who lived far from an office and needed a home visit, or to be served at one of the Agency’s hundreds of con- tact stations (sites like courthouses and social service agencies, most at no cost to SSA). They also made presentations to educate people about SSA programs. There are no more contact stations, and no more field representatives. With SSA having largely withdrawn from communities across our nation, it shouldn’t surprise us that lies about Social Security are believed by too many Americans. Why else would anyone agree with Elon Musk that Social Security is a 90-year Ponzi scheme, that benefits are being paid on the records of 150-year-olds, or that undocumented workers are receiving payments (they’re not!)? Incorrect payments, which include underpayments as well as overpayments, are about 1 percent of total benefits paid. Incorrect payments (which could be greatly reduced by restoring staff) and fraudulent payments are not the same thing, and there is, in fact, very little fraud. Reports of changes that affect eligibility or payment amount are received by SSA, but often go unworked for many months due to job cuts. Implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act, which restored benefits for public retirees who had been subject to Government Pension Offset or the Windfall Elimination Provision, is also being slowed by staffing losses. Nearly three mil- lion records require adjustment, but some won’t be processed for a year. Of 182,000 new applications filed by those who hadn’t applied previously because no payments were due before the law was changed, 15 percent have not been processed. The Trump administration intends to strip all civil service and union rights from about 20 percent of the SSA workforce, including the Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) who conduct dis- ability hearings and render decisions. That would make it easy to intimidate or remove ALJs who allegedly approve too many cases. Thankfully, we have been getting some help from the courts and others. In April, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction to block DOGE from accessing the sensitive personal information in SSA records. On May 7, 15 House Republicans (none from Washington) wrote to Bisignano to express concerns about staff cuts and office closures. Two days later, another judge issued a two-week temporary restraining order blocking implementation of a February 11 executive order directing major “reorganizations” at SSA and 19 other agencies. The Administration appealed to the 9th Circuit within hours. H.R. 2550, the Protecting Ameri- ca’s Workforce Act, which would restore federal employee rights that have been stripped away, already has 220 House co-sponsors. We have a long and difficult fight on our hands, but we can and must win it. We have to pull back the curtain and reveal what’s really going on in the other Washington, reach out wherever possible to tell the story to others, and take action by attending rallies and/or calling members of Congress from both parties. Steve Kofahl is a former President of AFGE 3937, representing Social Security workers, a member of PSARA's Executive Board, and Co-Chair of PSARA's Social Security Task Force. < Back to Table of Contents

Bills PSARA Supported During 2026 Legislative Session (Final outcome for Bills supported by PSARA) PSARA is a multi-generational grass roots organization advocating for all people, and seniors in particular, being able to live their lives with economic security, dignity, and respect. Listed Below are the Bills supported by PSARA and their 2026 Legislative outcome. Thank you to all who support PSARA’s work. Healthcare PSARA believes that comprehensive, affordable, accessible, and culturally appropriate health care is a fundamental human right. Promote Leveling the Playing Field in Medicare, SJM 8002 : Passed Protect against healthcare program cuts and advance immigrant health equity and food security (budget) Creating an apple health employer assessment.SB 6173 : Dead Making improvements to transparency and accountability in the prior authorization determination process (Regulate the use of Prior Authorization in healthcare decisions,) SB 5395 /HB 1566: 5395 Passed Climate and Environmental Justice PSARA supports the right of all people to live and work in a clean and healthy environment. Divest Washington State Investment Board funds from fossil fuels, No Coal Act SB 5439 : Dead Increase environmental justice by improving government decisions, Curb Act HB 1303 / [NS1] SB 5380 : Dead Removing a tax exemption for the replacement of equipment for data centers.. SB 6231 / HB 2708 : 6231 Passed PSARA opposes the following four bills: Integrating Advanced Nuclear Energy into the State Energy Strategy HB 2090 / SB 5821 : Dead Authorizing certain public entities to contract for the capability of renewable or non emitting electric generation projects HB 2103 / SB6004 : Dead Fiscal Reform and Revenue PSARA supports a state budget that is transparent, pays a living wage to state workers, and provides services that help our people, economy, and environment thrive. Millionaire Tax SB 6346 : Passed Well Washington Fund. HB 2100 / SB 6093 : Dead Housing and Homelessness PSARA supports keeping people housed, building more low-income housing, and preventing homelessness in the first place. Workers’ Rights and Economic Justice PSARA supports legislation that promotes healthy families and workplaces. Creating a wage replacement program for certain Washington workers excluded from unemployment insurance. SB 5626 /HB 1773 : Dead Expand Working Families Tax Credit, Expanding eligibility for the working families' tax credit to everyone age 18 and older.HB 1214 /SB 5768 : Incorporated in Millionaires tax bill Concerning the Washington future fund pilot project.(Baby Bonds) HB 1661 /SB 5541 : Dead Provide greater security to Washington workers against ICE practices on the job (Concerning immigrant worker protections.Act) SB5852 /HB 2105 : 2105 Passed Placing agricultural employees under the jurisdiction of the public employment relations commission for the purpose of collective bargaining.SB 6045 /HB 2409 : Dead Community Safety and Justice PSARA supports legislation that promotes community safety and justice for all of our community members. Concerning the use of face coverings by law enforcement officers. (Ensure proper identification of law enforcement -No Secret Police Act) SB5855 /HB 2173 : 5855 Passed Concerning driver privacy protections. HB2332 /SB6002 : 2322 Passed

The Retire Advocate < Back to Table of Contents November 2025 A Formidable First Foursome and Tacoma’s Dirty Dozen Richard Burton On October 1, four PSARA members joined with two activists from Communities for a Healthy Bay (CHB) to patrol Commencement Bay in Tacoma for pollution and learn about environmental issues in this historic port. Carol Conley, Tim Burns, Ron Stone, and Richard Burton met and learned from Stefani Stockwell and Audrey Holloway from CHB. The PSARA crew ready to embark on their cruise We did this after learning about a recent report written by Communities for a Healthy Bay: South Sound’s Dirty Dozen. As its name implies, this incisive report details the environmentally irresponsible record of the 12 worst offending companies on or near Tacoma’s Commencement Bay. You can read it here: South Sound's Dirty Dozen - Communities for a Healthy Bay. The hard working staff at Communities for a Healthy Bay acknowledge some good actors, i.e., South Sound industrial facilities that are doing the right thing, “proving that with investment, oversight, and a commitment to environmental health it is possible to operate responsibly, even within the same legal and regulatory frameworks that others exploit.” These good actors are: • Auto Warehousing Company • Georgia Pacific Gypsum • MK Fibers • Globe Machine Manufacturing Additionally, both University of Washington Tacoma and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium are congratulated for their commitments to green infrastructure, transparent emissions tracking, climate responsive design, and a detailed “Climate Action Plan” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But then the following “Dirty Dozen” companies are named. These are facilities that repeatedly exceed stormwater discharge limits, contribute to toxic air emissions, mishandle hazardous waste, and operate atop Superfund sites with little regard for ongoing risks. The Dirty Dozen: Carlile Transportation Systems, LLC Concrete Technology Corporation Emerald Services, Inc. Kleenblast Division Manke Lumber Company, Inc., Sumner Simon Metals Tacoma Wheel Shop Tacoma Export Marketing Company (TEMCO) Tru Grit Abrasives, Inc Quality Transport & Truck Rail Handling Superlon Plastics, Inc. Occidental Chemical Corporation (OxyChem) The neighborhoods surrounding these various facilities rank among the highest in the state for pollution expo- sure, health risks, and socioeconomic vulnerability. The people in these communities experience disproportionate rates of asthma, heart disease, limited access to healthcare and fewer political resources. Moreover, many of these bad actors operate on or adjacent to lands protected under the Medicine Creek Treaty and stewarded by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, violating treaty rights and undercutting tribal sovereignty. PSARA activists look forward to joining with Communities for a Healthy Bay and other allied groups to fight against this dirty dozen, but also against the current system in the South Sound of noncompliance, weak enforcement and accountability, and preventable harm to the health of the ecosystem. Richard Burton is PSARA's Co-VP for Outreach and a leader of PSARA's Pierce County Organizing Committee < Back to Table of Contents