Dear COPA members,

SEIU Local 888 is supporting six bills filed with the state legislature and we are closely watching proposed legislation on housing authorities and retiree health care.

With increased membership participation, Local 888 can gain more clout to help pass new laws that would increase pension benefits, expand health and safety protections for state workers and raise new revenues to fund our jobs.   Read more about these and other bills Local 888 is supporting by clicking here.

To help build participation, we will convene Local 888's 2013 COPA kick off meeting on February 26 at 6:00 PM.  All COPA contributors are invited to participate!   The meeting will be held at the Union Hall, 52 Roland Street, Suite 101, Charlestown, MA.

Tentative Agenda (If you would like to add something to the agenda, please contact Dan Hoffer)

1.  Introductions and agenda review

2.  Discussion of Local 888 Committee on Political Action (COPA) structure and practices

3.  Nominations for new COPA chair, Vice Chair and Secretary (elections at next meeting)

5.  Legislative Actions - Key priorities for 2013 •    Lobby Days: Higher Ed – March 5; Revenue bill – March 12

4.  Election organizing and endorsements •    U.S. Senate Endorsement Forum, March 9, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at SEIU 1199.

•    Local elections: Selectman, Mayor, School Committee, City Council.

•    Special elections for vacant state senate and house seats: Senator Jack Hart (South Boston), Rep. Marty Walz (Back Bay/Cambridge), and Rep. Stephen Stat Smith (Everett).

•    Candidate interviews: State Rep. Nick Collins and State Rep Linda Dorcena Forry have been invited. **    6.    State Democratic Convention – set for July 13, 2013 at the Tsongas Center at U-MASS Lowell**

7.    Setting schedule for future COPA meetings

Please RSVP to Dan at dhoffer@seiu888.org so that we can order refreshments and food.