The Ritzville Adams County Journal - Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887

OLYMPIA – A measure that increases retirement benefits for firefighters and law-enforcement officers was signed by Gov. Jay Inslee Monday, March 28.

Introduced by 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville,Senate Bill 5791 provides Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System Plan 1 members with a one-time payment equal to $100 per month of service for retirees and a minimum of $20,000 for catastrophic and duty-disability retirees, and duty-death beneficiaries.

The lump-sum payments will come from a nearly $2 billion surplus in the LEOFF 1 system, which was closed to...