SENATE BUDGET WOULD CLOSE GREEN HILL SCHOOL, YAKIMA VALLEY SCHOOL, SEVEN HATCHERIES; PARKS PRESERVED; HOUSE PLAN OUT TUESDAY

The budget plan unveiled by the Senate this morning makes deep cuts in state programs, cuts 2,500 employees in higher education and 2,000 in General Government, but assumes a new funding mechanism to keep state parks open and holds out hope that voters will pass a revenue package to "buy back" some of the programs cut.

We must continue to oppose all cuts. Continue to call 1-800-562-6000 and oppose the cuts affecting you in the Senate budget, SB 5600.

You can find a link to the Senate budget documents on our website at www.wfse.org > State Budget & You.

But the Senate plan is not the final word. The House releases its plan tomorrow. Then the Senate, House and governor will work between then and April 26 to try to work out a final budget compromise.

With a $9 billion deficit, the Senate plan makes cuts of $3.85 billion to make up what current savings and the Obama federal economic stimulus package didn't cover.

This is all part of the global economic crisis that has hit just about every state government across America, as well as the federal government and businesses ranging from General Motors down to the local espresso stand in Naselle.

The Senate is bound to put out a balanced budget package. But leaders said they hope the public will look at it and warm to the idea of some type of revenue package on the November ballot to buy back programs and services that will be slashed.

But if you're looking for specific cuts to many specific programs and state jobs, you won't find it in the Senate plan. That's because the budget leaves it up to individual agencies, colleges and universities to determine where to make up the savings.

Here's what the Senate budget says:

Agencies are directed to achieve these reductions through strategies that will minimize impacts on employees, their families, their communities, and short- and long-term accomplishment of the agency's mission. Agencies are encouraged to use strategies such as reduced work schedules, use of voluntary leave without pay, and temporary furloughs that enable employees to maintain permanent employment status, full insurance benefits, full accrual of retirement service credit, and a living wage. The Senate intends to enact legislation that will protect employees' final compensation for pension purposes from the negative impacts of furloughs or other reductions in hours worked.

So in no particular order, here are key parts of the Senate budget. As we analyze the budget more, we will pass along more:

PAY AND BENEFITS

The Senate budget does not include money for negotiated pay raises. The Federation is still in re-negotiations on those issues and returns to the bargaining table Thursday in General Government, Friday in the Higher Education Coalition and April 9 at the University of Washington.

However, step increases for those in the Washington Management Service and exempt service will be frozen for at least two years.

On health benefits, the current 12 percent premium share for the 40,000 Federation-represented state employees under contract will remain, but if the premium share goes up for all employees, those with a contract will receive a rebate to maintain the current 12 percent share. You might ask why the rebate plan. Because the state Health Care Authority's computer system cannot handle two different rates for represented and unrepresented employees. But the bottom line in the Senate budget: Those without a union and without a contract could potentially pay more for health premiums.

Any other cost increases would be subject to collective bargaining agreements.

LAYOFFS

The Senate budget proposes about 4,500 job cuts in higher education and state agencies. But because you have a contract article on layoff procedures, every reduction in force will mean bargaining over those impacts. So we will be at the bargaining table to preserve the vital services you provide.

JUVENILE REHABILITATION

In a switcheroo compared to the governor's budget, the Senate plan would close Green Hill School in Chehalis and keep Naselle Youth Camp open. Neither plan makes sense in the overall continuum of care and we need to keep up the pressure to keep all juvenile rehabilitation programs open. The Senate budget also assumes $7 million for altered or new specialized capacity at Maple Lane School.

YAKIMA VALLEY SCHOOL

The Senate budget would go along with the governor's plan to close Yakima Valley School in Selah. But as we told you last week, a new analysis shows that the state actually saves more money by keeping Yakima Valley School open than shutting it down and jerking the residents to private nursing homes.

COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS

There is no talk of closing Pine Lodge Corrections Center for Women, but the Senate budget goes along with the cuts sparked by SB 5288 that cuts community supervision for 12,000 dangerous criminals.

FISH HATCHERIES

The Senate budget goes along with the governor in recommending the closure of seven hatcheries: Bellingham, Voights Creek, Colville, Omak, Arlington, Mossyrock and McKernan. We obviously need to oppose these closures, although separate legislation (HB 1951) has been mitigated when it comes to privatizing the hatcheries.

HIGHER EDUCATION

The Senate budget does not break down the 2,500 job cuts between faculty and line-level, classified staff. But the overall cuts would be 9 percent at community and technical colleges and 19 percent at four-year institutions.

GENERAL ASSISTANCE-UNEMPLOYABLE

The Senate maintains 80 percent of the current GA-U caseload to serve about 12,700 people. The governor had wanted to eliminate the entire program.

PARKS

The Senate budget assumes new revenue generated by an "opt-out" voluntary $5 fee for license tab renewal that would be earmarked for state parks. That means no parks closures. Without that, some 50 parks would close. But a proviso in the budget does encourage the Parks Commission to actively pursue transferring ownership of some state parks to local governments, tribes and other entities. So we can't rest to easily here.

MENTAL HEALTH

The number of civil commitment beds at Eastern and Western state hospitals is reduced by 13 percent (or 120 beds) and a staffing boost OK'd last year is cut. A pilot project for improved service delivery would be discontinued.

TAX EXEMPTIONS

The Senate closes some tax breaks, including banks' exemption on paying the real estate excise tax and the tax break for buying a hybrid vehicle.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

We fight like hell. The global economic crisis has affected all parts of society. The test is now how we deal with it.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee holds public hearings on the budget today. The House unveils its budget plan tomorrow, followed by Tuesday hearings in the House Ways and Means Committee. Floor votes on each respective plan are expected later this week.

Keep the calls and e-mails and personal visits to legislators going. Check our website at www.wfse.org for regular updates and calls to action.