HOUSE BUDGET UNVEILED

UPDATED 4/1/09

The House today proposed a balanced substitute to HB 1244 that makes use of $3 billion of federal stimulus money, $700 million in rainy day funds, and redirects $800 million of capital funds. This 3-year budget makes changes to what remains of the 2007-09 biennium, as well as for the 2009-11 biennium.

The budget writers stated intention was to protect basic education, children’s healthcare and services for vulnerable citizens, but deep cuts remain. The exact figure of job cuts was not specified. Instead the budget writers provided appropriations leaving agencies to prioritize and make adjustments.

Like the Senate, the House budget does not include money for negotiated pay -raises. Administrative efficiencies to the tune of $50 million dollars will be accomplished by reducing management costs – including WMS, reductions or freezes in salaries, reducing administrative costs or improved efficiencies. Any changes to working conditions for contracted state workers must be consistent with our collective bargaining agreements.

The House budget holds the line on our 12% premium share, but uses a different method from the Senate budget to achieve savings. The House did not change the structure or practice protected by contracts.

Yakima Valley School and Green Hill School escape being identified for closure. The Senate budget singled out Frances Haddon for a closure study, but no such request is present in the House bill. In JRA, not a surprise, but a large concern, Naselle Youth Camp [REMOVE and six residential community facilities are*] targeted for closure. Calls to action must urge support for our world-class JRA system, but more on our next series of calls to action later.

Corrections, Hatcheries, and Mental Health face cuts similar to those in the Senate budget, with cuts in community supervision, closure of fish hatcheries, and reduction in staff at Eastern and Western State hospitals.

Parks continues to benefit from the “opt-out” voluntary $5 fee for license tab renewal that would be earmarked for state parks, but still faces seasonal closure issues.

Finally, unlike the Senate budget, the House budget does not fund or provide for the privatization of child welfare services.

Calls to action become even more critical now, but are complicated by the conflicting budget bills. You must be specific to your legislators on the programs you want them to support. Whether this support translates to requests for support or opposition of the budget depends on the version of the budget bill!

We are working on simplifying this for you. On WFSE.org, click on the Call NOW! icon for details on updated calls to action.

*Funding for the state's six residential community facilities is reduced.