Senate Democrats outline budget to be released at 9 a.m. Friday

Senate Democrats released an outline of the budget to be released at 9 a.m., Friday, April 24. It appears to spare Yakima Valley School, Naselle Youth Camp, Green Hill School, state parks and fish hatcheries. Check back here when full details are released.

Here is the Senate Democrats' budget summary:

2009-2011 Operating Budget “Cuts with a conscience”

Total Budget: $ 31.4 billion Ending fund balance: $830 million

K-12:
• Total spending: $13.4 billion
• Net cut after federal stimulus dollars are included: $794 million
• I-732 suspended for two years: $353 million
• I-728 reduced by $600 million
• K-4 class-size reduction fully funded
• Average per school district cut: 2.6%
• One Learning Improvement Day (LID) is eliminated: $35.7 million
• School district levy capacity increased by 4% (capping at 35%)

Higher Education:
• Reductions, after tuition increase, are: 7% at UW/WSU; 6.5% at regional universities; and 6% at community colleges
• Tuition raised 14%/year at four year schools; 7%/year at community colleges
• Number of enrollments eliminated: 9,028
• State Need Grant is fully funded
• Total financial aid increase: $52 million

Health Care:
• Basic Health Plan – attrition of 40,000 enrollees, saving $255 million
• No reductions to Medicare Part D premium support or to Adult Vision

Human Services:
• General Assistance program is preserved – more focus on getting the right services to people
• Long-term care programs – rate reductions approximately 4%
• Adult day health – in-home services is preserved

Corrections/Juvenile Rehabilitation/Institutions:
• Public safety concerns were tantamount in making savings – public defenders and law enforcement in support
• No specific institutions are closed

Natural Resources:
• No parks closed: all revenues from opt-in fee go solely for maintenance and operation of parks
• No hatcheries closed unless not enough revenue from fees

Compensation/Employment:
• Agencies are encouraged to use strategies such as reduced work scheduled, use of voluntary leave without pay, and temporary furloughs that enable employees to maintain permanent employee status, full insurance benefits, full accrual of retirement service credit, and a living wage.
• Administrative cuts totaling roughly $250 million.