WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Rep. Mike Sells Dec 1/2011 e-memo

December 1, 2011
Message from Rep. Mike Sells

Legislators came to Olympia Monday to begin solving the $2 billion budget problem our state is facing this year.  This will not be an easy task.  Over the past three years, we’ve had to cut $10.5 billion from state services including health care, public safety, care for our elderly and people with disabilities, and education programs.

On the first day of the special session, the House Ways and Means committee held a public hearing on Governor Gregoire’s budget proposal.  Hundreds of people came to Olympia so they could speak against the cuts she outlined.

 

How would you balance the budget?

What do you think the right course is for rebalancing the state operating budget?  What would you cut; what would you enhance?

The League of Education Voters has posted a budget calculator on their website that lets you make those decisions.  You can cut or eliminate programs, reduce or cut off funding to local governments, and/or raise revenues.  The services and programs you decide to cut or keep will impact the children, families and seniors of our state.

Try it out, if you get a chance, and then let me know what choices you prefer.

 

Reforming government efforts lead to good economic news – Boeing is staying and state businesses see their costs decrease!

You probably saw the good news earlier this week – Boeing and their machinists’ union reached an agreement that will assure Washington will be the home of the new 737 Max.  This is a great boost to our economy, securing many thousands of local jobs.

The very next day we learned that, thanks in part to legislation passed by the legislature last year, most businesses in Washington will see not only their workers’ comp premium stay steady, but also a significant drop in unemployment insurance costs.

This would be the first time since 2007 that L&I rates have not increased, saving businesses $150 million next year. It is important to remember, however, that some businesses still might see premium increases based on their recent claims history and risk class. For example, restaurants and retail stores will see a 3% drop, but construction and forest products could see a slight increase due to their injury claims.

As far as unemployment insurance costs, most employers in the state will receive a lower tax rate in 2012, and all rate classes will drop. In fact, tax rates for employers that had no layoffs in the past four years will plummet by 71 percent, to an all-time low for that rate class (side fact: 91% of employers in rate-class 1 are small businesses with fewer than 5 employees).

In total, the tax-rate reductions will equal about $207 million, in addition to the $300 million in savings passed by the Legislature last year.

 

Fighting hunger in our own neighborhood

Nutrition is one of the basic necessities of life and yet one out of nine households in the United States struggles to put food on the table. Nearly one-fourth of those who go hungry in our country are children.

Not only do real families suffer due to lack of adequate nutrition, but the problem also has economic consequences. The Alliance to End Hunger reports that the U.S. spends more than $90 billion each year on direct and indirect costs associated with hunger.

Food assistance programs like the Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) are key to fighting the battle against hunger. Through a partnership with U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OPSI) can reimburse some costs associated with providing meals to eligible programs and organizations that serve children and adults.

In 2010, the OSPI helped provide over 3 million meals to low-income children and families through organizations participating in the CACFP.

If you operate a child or adult day care center, an at-risk afterschool program, ECEAP or Head Start, or emergency shelter and are interested in applying for the program, contact Adele Roberts, Child Nutrition Services, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, Washington 98504-7200.

And if you or someone you know is in need of nutrition assistance, please contact the Washington Basic Food Program at 1-877-501-2233.