Dear Neighbors,
The House 2012 supplemental budget proposal was released last Tuesday. Budget writers had been working on the document for several months, but needed the final revenue forecast before finishing it. The goal was to create a state spending plan that’s balanced, supports basic education, maintains the safety net, and keeps higher education affordable.
This budget cuts more than $1 billion from the already slimmed-down budget we approved less than a year ago, including decreases in social services. But it’s important to note that it keeps alive programs such as the Basic Health Plan, Housing and Essential Needs, and Disability Lifeline. We sustain our unique state medical programs until 2014, when the Affordable Care Act will be expanded.
This proposal is not the final one, but it is the next step after the Governor’s budget. The Senate recently released its proposal and now we will begin the process of reconciling our differences.
The House proposal is available at: https://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/budget/detail/2012/ho2012p.asp.
Update on my bills
I am pleased that my legislation (SHB 2366) regarding suicide assessment, treatment and management passed unanimously in the Senate! The bill was amended on the Senate floor, so it will come back to the House for concurrence. From there, it will go to the Governor for her signature.
My remaining four bills are all on the Senate floor calendar, and I hope will be passed soon. They are:
- SHB 2421, which modifies the Foreclosure Fairness Act
- SHB 2692, concerning the commercial sale of sex
- SHB 2354, regarding stolen property trafficking
- HB 2524, which allows the spouse, or registered domestic partner, of a service member to place a license regulated by the Department of Health or the Department of Licensing on inactive status when the service member is deployed or stationed outside of the state.
TVW’s Cammy Award!
I want to share with you a humorous moment here in Olympia, in response to a mishap that occurred during live floor action while I was presiding as Speaker Pro Tempore. You can read all about it and even watch footage of the incident here.
Prescription discounts are offered in state, county programs
Help in buying prescriptions is offered for Washingtonians in two fine programs, one available through a statewide agency and the other offered by 16 of our 39 counties.
The Washington Prescription Drug Program from the Washington State Health Care Authority is open to all Evergreen Staters. Created by the Legislature in a proposal first advanced by the governor, the program offers discounts to eligible persons when they order their prescriptions. All Washingtonians are eligible to apply for the assistance and there aren’t any age or income restrictions. The program is particularly aimed at helping those without insurance, individuals who have medical coverage but no prescription-drug benefit, or whose prescription-drug coverage through their employer doesn’t cover the specific drug they need.
Check the Internet at https://www.rx.wa.gov/ for this state program. The toll-free phone numbers are 1-800-913-4146 (enrollment) and 1-800-913-4311 (customer service). Be ready to answer these six specific questions in the application process: name, date of birth, address, phone number, gender, and how you heard about the program.
Sixteen counties also offer their own cards providing prescription-drug discounts. Sponsored by the National Association of Counties, these programs are open to all residents in the participating counties — regardless of age, income or existing coverage. The card is accepted at most pharmacies. Cards are available at public locations such as city halls, libraries, participating pharmacies, and transit centers. Call 1-877-321-2652 or visit the https://naco.advancerx.com website for more details. Participating Washington counties are Clallam, Clark, Douglas, Garfield, Jefferson, Kitsap, Lewis, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Walla Walla, Whatcom, and Whitman.
Meanwhile, in the other Washington….
Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill ending the stalemate over the payroll tax cut and unemployment, and the Senate quickly followed suit. The bill passed by the U.S. Congress will keep the payroll tax rate at 4.2 percent through 2012, instead of adding a 2 percent increase on workers March 1, 2012.
This change will provide $1.8 to 2.1 billion in additional income this year to Washington State workers. In addition, we anticipate that our state revenues will increase because people will have more money to spend.
Tired of getting unwanted Yellow Pages?
For over a century, phone directories served a very important role. They were so vital to connecting communities that many states, including Washington, adopted laws and rules requiring phone companies to publish and distribute residential directories on a regular basis.
However, our society looks a lot different than it did back in the late 1800’s when the first phone directory was published. Smartphones and easy access to the internet are drastically driving down the demand for paper phone directories.
According to a recent Harris Interactive poll, nearly 70% of adults rarely or never use a phone book. Between 2005 and 2008, the number of households depending on the white pages for information decreased from 25% to 11%.
Washington lawmakers are working on a solution to cut down on the number of unwanted residential directories. However, a plan is already in place to reduce the number of unwanted yellow pages directories. Washington residents who do not want receive the yellow pages can go to www.yellowpagesoptout.com to opt out of receiving the directory.
Over five million trees are cut down each year to print phone directories. With some updated regulations and a little help from consumers, we can ensure phone directories are delivered only to those people who want them – and save a few trees at the same time.
I appreciate the time you take to read my updates and I remind you that I always want to hear from you, so call my office or drop me a line with your ideas and concerns.
Sincerely,
Tina