The House-Senate compromise budget (ESSB 6444) was unveiled this morning on the second-to-last day of the special session. Hearings and floor action will take place today, though it’s not clear lawmakers can wrap up work before Tuesday.
Here are key points. Stay tuned here for updates throughout the day.
HEALTH INSURANCE
The compromise budget includes the $64.9 million it should take to keep your out-of-pocket costs level through June 2011.
PINE LODGE CORRECTIONS CENTER FOR WOMEN
The compromise budget calls for closure of Pine Lodge by June 2011. This would generate savings of only $7.2 million.
JUVENILE REHABILITATION
Maple Lane School in Grand Mound would be phased out by June 30, 2013. Other downsizing but no closures would take place at the other JRA institutions to cut some 35 positions.
RESIDENTIAL HABILITATION CENTERS
No RHCs would close (remember, Frances Haddon Morgan Center was targeted). But….the budget directs the governor’s budget office to hire a consultant “to determine the optimum residential setting for residential habilitation center clients, including the option to remain in a residential habilitation center.” The report is due Dec. 1. The budget also reduces institutional funding to include cottage consolidations, changing maintenance schedules, reducing adult training programs and reductions in services such as dental care.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
Some $16.8 million is added to the DSHS Medial Assistance program, but it's unclear if this goes toward the Health and Rehabilitation Services Administration (HRSA) last-minute budget crisis DSHS announced just last Thursday. Our HRSA members are at the Capitol today continuing to fight for the additional $5 million needed to save the program and some 160 jobs.
MENTAL HEALTH
The budget calls for efficiencies to cover the 8 percent hike in workers’ compensation fees that took place at the psychiatric hospitals, along with the elimination of 24.5 administrative and 7 direct-care staff. It’s unclear if the Program for Adaptive Living Skills (PALS) at Western State Hospital is preserved.
PARKS AND RECREATION
The budget calls for hiring of temporary park rangers instead of full-time rangers during the high-use season through June 2011. Interpretive staff is reduced in parks without formal interpretive centers and 1.5 percent is cut for maintenance and operations staff.
FURLOUGHS ASSUMED
The compromise budget assumes savings from the directive to reduce compensation costs, which could include 10 furlough days in non-exempt agencies if the agencies don’t come up with an alternative.
HIGHER EDUCATION
Funding is cut 6 percent, reflecting an additional 475 position cuts in Higher Education: UW – 100.8; WSU – 65; EWU – 18.1; CWU – 18.6; TESC – 8.9; WWU – 18.4; Community and Technical Colleges – 245.6.
KEEP GETTING YOUR CALLS IN; WATCH FOR UPDATES
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