January 6, 2012
Dear friends and neighbors:
Here we are on the eve of yet another legislative session, with yet another major budget shortfall. When we adjourned last late May, I felt that the legislature had created a budget that was thoughtful, responsible and consistent with our values. We had implemented reforms that would lead to long-term efficiencies in state government and better service to state residents, and we were careful to minimize cuts that might help in the short run but would cost more in the long run.
However, the September 2011 Economic and Revenue Forecast made it clear that the impact of the recession and its multi-year, multi-billion dollar impact on our State was not over. With the projection of another $2 billion shortfall, the Governor called us back into session this fall. She released her budget draft on November 21, and the legislature convened November 28. Thousands of citizens greeted us, demonstrating to draw attention to what the proposed Governor’s budget would mean to their hopes, dreams, and very survival. Some of the cuts she proposed included:
Education: Reductions of $507.5 million:
Reduce levy equalization, cut the school year by four days, cut funding for higher education by an additional 17% and suspend the work study program,
Social and Health Services: Reductions of $429.8 million
Reduce Chemical Dependency recovery programs by $24.2 million, reduce funding for developmental disabilities and long-term care by $64.4 million, reduce eligibility for services, and eliminate the Adult Day health programs. Reduce state funding for subsidized child care, and TANF grants. Eliminate State food assistance, and close two state hospital wards for dementia and traumatic brain injury clients. Eliminate Essential Needs and Housing funds program
Health Care: Reductions of $274.7 million
Eliminate Disability Lifeline medical program, the Basic Health Plan, over the counter pharmaceutical coverage, routine dental care for persons, and medical interpreter services. Reduce HIV prevention and protection and family planning grants by 10%.
Public Safety: Reductions of $86.6 million:
Allow early release of offenders, reduce chemical dependency programming for offenders, reduce juvenile court county funds, reduce parole services for juveniles
General Government, natural resources and employee compensation: Reductions of $139.3 million.
Reduce monthly health care rate for K-12 employee health benefits.
The Governor also proposed a temporary increase in the state sales tax from 6.5% to 7.0% (until 7/1/15) which was projected to raise $494 million, dedicating the increase to “buy back” certain programs, including levy equalization, reduction of the school year, support for higher education, offender supervision, and reducing eligibility for certain developmental disability programs.
On the first day of the special session, the Ways and Means Committee heard testimony from over a hundred citizens who pleaded with us not to cut education and social service programs. They shared powerful examples about what those programs had meant to them: young women whose lives had been saved through chemical dependency recovery programs, students relying on Work Study to pursue their education, care givers whose hours have been cut so much they can’t afford health care, refugees whose only source of food is the State Food Assistance Program, young single mothers who are able to work only because of state child care support, and dozens more. The impacts that the recession have already had on these people and their bravery in the face of adversity was both heartbreaking and inspiring.
You may have read that the legislature passed a bill to begin to address this shortfall. We’ve been working on major modifications to the budget since the September revenue forecast was announced, but we only had 17 days to reach consensus between the Democrats and Republicans in the House and the Senate. Finding agreement on the whole $2 billion could not be done in so short a time, but we are pleased to have worked out a partial solution that was agreed to by a majority of members in both chambers. After the $10.5 billion we’ve already cut the last three years, there are simply no “easy” answers.
The budget includes administrative cuts across broad areas of the budget. Other areas are left whole for now while we work to understand the full impact additional cuts will have. There are many complex issues remaining that will require authorizing legislation and more public hearings. In the meantime, taking these steps – making this “down payment” on the problem – gets us that much closer to meeting the challenge. Though the Governor’s cuts were not adopted during the special session, when the legislature convenes on Monday, they, and many similar proposals will be on the table again.
Education bills were also approved during the special session
The Legislature also approved two education bills designed to prepare more students for work in the aerospace industry.
The first, (House Bill 2159) creates competitive grant programs in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Subject to appropriations from the operating budget, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction would have the authority to allocate grants for three specific purposes.
- Entry-level aerospace assembly training for high school students
- Enhanced manufacturing skills programs for skill centers
- Specialized STEM courses for high schools as part of Project Lead-The-Way
The idea is to ensure that the aerospace jobs of today – and those of tomorrow – are going to students from Washington state.
Project Lead-The-Way is a national curriculum that encourages hands-on learning and project-based activities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Over 120 high schools in Washington state have incorporated Project Lead-The-Way curriculum into their schools.
The second STEM bill, HB 2160, requires the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) to incorporate STEM knowledge and skills into the teacher certification process.
Of the handful of bills passed during the special session, I’m pleased that one was mine: a bill to save money at the sexual commitment center on McNeil Island. The bill suspends the requirement that DSHS conduct annual examinations during the time that a sexually violent predator is confined or detained for a criminal charge. It will not balance the budget, but is a good example of the work we have been doing trying to save money everywhere we can.
More good economic news: Boeing/Machinists deal also helps Washington’s credit rating
Good economic news keeps coming for Washington state. In the past few weeks we’ve learned that:
- Small businesses are getting help to export their goods and services,
- Businesses will have reduced costs in 2012 thanks to state reforms
- Boeing’s 737 MAX will be built in Renton
- Consumer Reports gave kudos to five Washington businesses
- Our agricultural industry is doing better than expected
All of these are evidence that our economy—while still struggling, is recovering slowly but surely.
I hope that you will contact me during the legislation session if you have questions about what the legislature is doing, or information about the impact of legislation that I should be aware of. If you visit, be aware that my office has moved: we are now located in 314 of the newly remodeled John L. O’Brien Building.
Take care,
Jeannie Darneille