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Welcome to Policy Watch 2002

WEEK 8

Every POLICY WATCH has three parts. (1) Information: on contacting legislators, learning more about issues, etc. This section was up-front the first week; it has been moved to the end. (2) A description of what is happening week by week in Olympia. (3) Brief items about specific bills, arranged by category.

This bulletin focuses primarily on health, social welfare, and low-income issues. And while it attempts to give readers enough information to guide actions (calls, letters, visits), it will not take positions or urge a particular action. That is up to you.

Go to Part III Issues

WEEK EIGHT IN OLYMPIA


THE CONTEXT

Here's the short version. The House and Senate Budgets are out, and from the perspective of health, human services, and the people who provide or depend on them, they are terrible: over $650 million in total cuts, much of that from health, mental health, and social services.

Remaining bills.
After final action in the fiscal Committees on Monday and Tuesday, action shifted to the floors of the House and Senate the rest of the week for all surviving bills to be voted on before the last cut-off of this Session.

If a bill was amended in the "opposite house," it will first go back to its "house of origin" for concurrence - which usually happens because the key players in both houses try to stay in touch as amendments are drafted and debated. Once signed by the Speaker or Senate President, a bill is delivered to the Governor

In our state the Governor has three options. He can sign a bill, veto a bill, or "partial veto" - meaning he can veto one or more sections of a bill. He cannot strike out a single word or phrase - known as "Vanna White vetoes" in states where the Governor can -- only whole sections. That is why bills often appear oddly-written: chopped up into many small "sections" even when they appear to be logically related.

At this stage in the process, the Governor is a majority of one, and members of the public who care about a bill need to make their views known to the Governor. The only possible recourse for a bill that gets vetoed is a "veto override" by the legislature, but that requires a super-majority vote in BOTH houses.

The Budgets.
Individual bills aside, the big news this week came with the release of the Senate and House budgets; from now on the action lies in negotiating over the details. If a budget item you care about is mentioned in at least one of the three budgets (the Governor's, the Senate's, the House's) it has a chance. Being in all three is a virtual guarantee of some level of funding; being in none of the three is a virtual guarantee of extinction.

Newspaper accounts of the various budget plans range from a couple of column inches (complete with catchy alliterative headlines, like, "Budget Battles Begin...") to stories that begin on one page and spill over to a second. Television "news' is less helpful, reducing these complex budgets to a matter of seconds. (TV spices up the lack of information with teasers: "Tune in tonight! Hear about the gas tax YOU won't get to vote on!!!" ...leading one to expect a string of these: "Tune in tonight! Hear about the 'Civil Forfeitures of Property' bill YOU won't get to vote on!!! ...the 'Building Code Council Fee' YOU won't get to vote on!!! all the hundreds of bills YOU won't get to vote on, etc. Could be they just forgot the meaning of "Representative Democracy.").

The budgets themselves (and the citizens whose lives will be changed by them) deserve better treatment. They are long and full of detail. The Senate version runs 304 pages plus another 162 pages of agency-by-agency detail (not to mention 20 more pages of amendments adopted in Committee); the House version weighs in at 253 pages, plus 154 pages of agency-by-agency detail.


The Devil Is In the Details.
Just being mentioned in a budget is not the whole story, because the details are critically important. And for that, people wishing to be informed will find it helps to have a guide - a good advocacy group, professional association, or "think tank." State Budgets have a way of seeming impersonal, with their long lists of budget items, pages of appropriated sums, dry language, and references to arcane sections of the Revised Code of Washington. But every budget detail has implications for real people with real lives, including some of our most vulnerable neighbors and community members.

Two examples will illustrate the point.
(1) Health coverage for children. The section on "Medical Assistance Payments," in the "Agency Detail" for both the House and Senate budgets' includes two brief, neutral-sounding items. They read: "Direct Legal Immigrants to BHP", and "Direct Undocumented Children to BHP" -- for a combined savings of $21 million.

Our state provides medicaid coverage for legal immigrants and undocumented children (though not their parents). That is both ethical and practical. We provide essential care to people who are ill or in pain, and the hospitals and clinics providing the care are paid for the service. In addition, paying for good coverage when health needs are minor means taxpayers will not have to foot the bill for costly emergencies that could have been prevented. Medical Assistance provides good coverage and interpreter services (a basic necessity for refugees and others fleeing for their safety), without premiums.

"Directing" these individuals - 25,000 children and about 2,000 legal immigrant adults - to BHP (the Basic Health Plan) is a soft way of saying that these children are being terminated from Medicaid. As a result, even those who manage to get into the BHP will lose: they will get less-good coverage (e.g., no dental or mental health services), they will have to pay money they don't have, they will have to go through yet another application process with new rules and restrictions, and they will no longer qualify for interpreter services. The likely net result? It is feared that up to half the children will lose health coverage entirely. No wonder this item "saves" $21 million.

It also means that many more Basic Health Plan slots will be filled by these transfers. Otherwise they would be available to families in low-paying jobs who do not qualify for Medical Assistance, and whose employers cannot (or will not) provide health benefits. In a time of recession, this "re-direction" hits low wage workers doubly hard.

(2) Re-program SSI Supplements. The section of the Senate budget on Economic Services relies on another neutral phrase: the Senate would "re-program SSI Supplements." (The House Budget does something similar, with different details.)

The people receiving SSI - Supplemental Security Income - are unemployable individuals with serious mental and physical disabilities who get about $500/month to meet all of their expenses. The state provides a small "supplement" that varies from $5 - $50 per month. That small supplement often makes the difference in someone's ability to pay for medicine, or rent, or food. $500/month does not leave room for luxuries; without it, many SSI recipients would be homeless.

To save money ($28 million), legislative budget-writers propose that these "supplements" be taken from mentally ill and physically disabled adults and given as small cash payments to help families with a developmentally delayed child. This is not something the DD community sought, or feels good about.

Other details would appear to give state agencies broad discretion to "re-allocate" dollars from one program area to another whenever future costs prove higher than anticipated. That is, if prescription drug costs rise faster than anticipated, or the cost of meeting obligations under lawsuits, or the recession lasts longer than hoped... an agency like DSHS could simply "reallocate" funds from Long-term Care, or mental health services, or substance abuse treatment, to cover the problem.

Doing the Math.
None of this is inevitable, even in such dire budget times. Two kinds of math are driving the process just now. One is the now-familiar math of state budgets: $x in costs - $y in revenues = $z of deficit.

The second math is political. Under the rules, budget amendments require a supermajority, and neither party has anything close to a supermajority of votes in either the House or Senate. Plus, this is an election year, a time when any vote can - and will - be used against incumbents. Even if the rules could be suspended, some members are determined to use procedural devices to make any tax increases impossible in an election year. And, as pollster Stuart Elway points out, it is the perception, not the reality, of a so-called "tax revolt" that appears to be driving the decisions. So it is political math, not budget math that is calling the shots.

The consequences of all three budget options will fall most heavily on those least able to absorb the hurt. That pain is neither unknown nor inevitable; it results in this case because the avoidance of taxes has become the highest priority for many.

---------------------------------------------------------

SNAPSHOTS FROM WEEK EIGHT

** Every year there are people who come to the Capitol for the first time; among 2002 newcomers was a group of about fifty people from the Sikh community. They enjoyed the experience so much, they have vowed to come back.

** This year there has been a growing collaboration between two groups concerned with a common "consumer" - kids. Despite the inevitable competition for funds, this year the education and human services communities have worked together on a number of bills, shared budget information, and appeared at a joint media event. After all, as one said, "we both have the same customer."

** To no one's surprise, tensions were evident this week. One day over 100 home care workers began chanting as they marched out of an over-flow budget hearing; another day the Senate chamber was effectively "locked down" so members could debate and cast their votes without pressure from lobbyists just outside the door.

** Even Senate Majority Leader Sid Snyder said, "This is a budget that everybody hates."

** Everyone works harder than somebody else. This week Senate staff noted that THEY worked late every night (some nights until 10:00 pm or later), while House staff did not.

** Among the budget details are the staff reductions proposed for each agency as a way to save money. The Department of Social and Health Services - perennially under fire for not doing enough - would lose the most: 374 employees. Next hardest hit - the University of Washington, slated to lose 241 employees, and Washington State University at 135.

** Even as some legislators are insisting there can be no tax increases to solve the budget crisis, they are voting tax decreases which may worsen the crisis by next year. At least three bills lowering some B&O taxes have passed the House unanimously.

** And then there is the estate tax, which one proposal would phase-out by 2010. Some feel that isn't fast enough: even though it would cost the state $350 million in lost revenue by moving faster ($8.3 million next year alone), they want it done away with in two years.

** With time running out the process may be truncated. One rumor says Senate and House budget-writers (plus a few staff) will stay behind to hammer out a budget after everybody else goes home on March 14th. Once they have a deal, everybody else will come back to Olympia to vote. That way there would be no formal Special Session, no need to pay Per Diem.

** Gender Watch. Nine officials are elected statewide: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Insurance Commissioner, and Commissioner of Public Lands. Only two are women (Christine Gregoire - AG, and Terry Bergeson - SPI).



The BUDGET.

With three versions of the Budget on the table -- a Senate version, a House version, and the Governor's version -- the trick now is to turn all three into one capable of winning a majority. (Senate Republicans held a press event criticizing the Ways & Means budget, and recommending $1.6 billion in cuts - chiefly through reductions in state employment - job freeze, no COLA for employees or vendors, contracting out - and assorted efficiencies. It is not in the form of a budget bill.)

They may have been working with the same constraints and possibilities, but each of the three versions organizes them in different ways. Both the House and Senate Budget would cash out part of future Tobacco Payments to get $525 million, cut about $650 million from current programs, reduce or eliminate vendor payment and state employee increases, and spend down more of the state's reserves.

The Senate version of the budget was released early in the week, with hearings following the next day. In general, it was more generous (somewhat) to human services, less generous to higher education, more optimistic about some potential revenue sources. It eliminates most of the "I-695 Backfill payments" to counties, and results in a lost of about 1,500 state jobs. For the Senate Budget, go to:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/senate/scs/wm/default.htm.

The House version of the budget was released mid-week, with a meeting in the Appropriations Committee the very next day. In general, it was more generous to higher education, less generous to human services, less optimistic about possible revenues. One possible revenue source - more money from gambling - seemed dead already by week's end. For the House Budget go to: http://www.leg.wa.gov/house/opr/app/02/BudgRpt.htm.

The Governor's version is available at: http://www.ofm.wa.gov/.

NOTE: bills "necessary to implement the budget," are not subject to the normal cut-off dates. Thus, PW says some bills appear dead unless "...necessary to implement the budget."

PART III - SOME ISSUES

This section notes upcoming hearings, plus categories of bills, including:


REMINDER:
House Bill numbers begin with 1 or 2;
Senate Bill numbers begin with 5 or 6.

A Substitute House or Senate Bill (SHB, or SSB) is a bill that replaces or substitutes for the original bill. It incorporates changes that key members have agreed to, to make the bill acceptable to a majority.

WARNING: This bulletin only comes out weekly, and does not pretend to be comprehensive. Check with a relevant advocacy group to learn the details and implications of budget items reported here.

Information on specific bills was still being updated as this was written. If there is a specific bill you care about, go to: www.leg.wa.gov, click on Bill Info, and then on Daily Status Report.

Bills that appear to be DEAD are continued in PW for one week, then deleted. From this point on, if one version of a bill dies, that will be eliminated from the heading for the bill - leaving the "alive" bill. As a result, every POLICY WATCH will be shorter than the one before it.

If a bill you care about is still alive or listed as "delivered to the Governor," tell him how you feel about it. Time is running out.

 

 

AGING/LONG-TERM CARE

HB 2431/ SB 5026, SB 6201, SB 6368, S 6268 - DEALING WITH COST and AVAILABILITY OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
These bills deal with aspects of the rising cost of prescription drugs. See descriptions and status in HEALTH section.


EHB 2444- SPECIFIES QUALIFICATIONS FOR ADULT FAMILY HOME PROVIDERS AND RESIDENT MANAGERS.
A Substitute version of the Senate Bill ESSB 6289 DIED.
The House Bill was on the Senate Floor; it appears DEAD.

HB 2457 - TO CHANGE RATES IN THE NURSING FACILITY MEDICAID SYSTEM
This bill was introduced at the request of DSHS and would accomplish the Governor's proposed budget cuts to nursing homes.
A version of this bill is assumed in the House Budget plan, for a savings of $11 million. It is considered "necessary to the budget."

HB 2458/SB 6544 - TO PERMIT DSHS TO ESTABLISH LICENSING FEES FOR ADULT FAMILY HOMES.
This bill would authorize DSHS to set fees at an amount able to compensate the department for the cost of carrying out licensing activities.
Both these bills appear to have died in their respective Fiscal Committees; unless "necessary to the budget."


Budget Items.
Payments to nursing homes illustrate just how complicated budget decisions can be. Almost one-third of cuts to social services in the Governor's proposed budget come from payments to nursing homes ($70 million - half from state funds, half from federal matching funds).

The Senate and House budgets appear to have largely spared nursing homes from cuts, other than about $11 million that the House Budget would get from "rate reductions." For a fuller picture, contact advocates familiar with nursing home payments.

Assisted Living cuts would total about $2.6 million in combined state and federal funds in both the Governor's and the House Budgets. The Senate does not appear to have included these cuts.

The Governor's budget also puts at risk more than $7 million in funding appropriated for long-term caregiver wage increases, by eliminating the "budget proviso" assuring that the money is used for this purpose. It is feared that change could result in the loss of more than 3,300 nursing home worker jobs and the quality of care provided.

The Senate Budget would cut in-home care for 1,800 poor and disabled individuals needing personal care.

HIV/AIDS funding for prevention and care services - currently allocated throughout the six AIDSNets regions - would be reduced. This could affect the state's ability to retain many of the
programs and services funded by the AIDS Omnibus Act. Check with advocates to establish budget figures and determine impact.

The Governor has also proposed transferring administrative authority over the Evergreen Health Insurance Program (EHIP), which provides insurance continuation coverage to more than 700 clients statewide, from the Department of Social and Health Services over to the Department of Health. This is move was originally supported by HIV/AIDS advocates. Bills to accomplish the transfer DIED during the Session.
Now, however, the bills (HB 2612/ SB 6586) may be revived during the budget negotiations, on terms that supporters believe would put EHIP and its clientele at risk.

IMPLEMENTATION OF I-775, the HOMECARE QUALITY INITIATIVE. This Initiatives was passed by the voters, and provides a mechanism capable of winning small hourly wage increases (e.g., .50/hour) to help promote stability in homecare worker services Most homecare workers earn less than $8.00/hour. Some homecare workers in private agency settings benefitted from funds allocated for the 2001 increase (though a recent report raised questions about how those funds have been used); no funds have been allocated for a 2002 increase. A bill on this topic DIED in Week Six.

CHILD CARE

The big child care issue this year is funding - including funds needed to not lose ground.

Budget items
ECEAP - the state-funded EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, could see its funding reduced ($2.1 million) under the Governor's proposed budget. ECEAP has a record of proven effectiveness; it helps both parents and children in participating families. It prepares low-income children for school, conveys good parenting skills to young parents, and provides the comprehensive services needed to get pre-schoolers off to a good start.

Over time, rate increases for ECEAP have failed to keep up with the rising costs of salaries, benefits, transportation, etc. As a result, spaces for 650 children were cut statewide this year, and more will be lost again next year.
Both the Governor and the House Budgets propose a $2.1 million cut; in the Senate budget it is $838,000 - in theory from administrative costs only.

HEAD START could also see its state funding reduced. Like ECEAP, it is a program of proven success, which aids low-income parents and children, and helps prepare low-income children for school. In the case of HEAD START, eliminating the state funds would also result in a loss of federal matching funds. As a result, fewer children will be served.
Both the Governor and the House Budget's propose to eliminate the state's share of matching funds (needed to draw down federal funds) of $470,000. That money will have to be found at the local level, or federal funds (and Head Start slots) will be lost.

WORKING CONNECTIONS CHILD CARE. This is the name given to the program of expanded child care subsidies instituted as part of the state's "WorkFirst" program. With passage of welfare reform, the state recognized that if single parents of young children were going to be required to go to work full-time, some provision must be made for affordable, accessible child care. In the years that followed, the state tripled its spending on child care subsidies for low-income, working parents.

However, the economic downturn has meant fewer jobs, more layoffs, and more people needing welfare aid. Together with claims already made on funds in the "welfare box," there is now a $50-60 million short-fall. At the end of Week Five the Governor (who controls these funds under the welfare block grant) announced a long list of program cuts. See the section on WELFARE - Budget Items - for details. The President's federal welfare reform proposals do not include extra money for child care.

CHILD WELFARE/CHILDRENS' SERVICES

ESHB1397/- KINSHIP CARE
As introduced, this bill would increase the "child only" grant (where only the child in state care, and not the whole family, is eligible for state aid) by $100/ month for relatives who are caring for multiple children. The first child in the family would continue to receive the current level of $349/month.
This Bill was substantially changed, to lessen the fiscal impact: it now acknowledges the value of kinship care, but just instructs DSHS to convene a workgroup on kinship caregivers, develop a briefing on the policy issues for the Legislature, and report to the legislature by November 1, 2002.
The Senate bill (ESSB 5480) DIED.
The House bill passed the Senate, with amendments. First it goes back to the House for concurrence (which is expected); next it goes to the Governor.

SB 6709- PROVIDING STABLE EDUCATION FOR FOSTER CHILDREN.
Requires that school age foster children attend the same school after placement in foster care, to avoid the instability that comes from moving from school to school as well as from one home to another. About 70% of foster children are school age, and their rates of school achievement and high school completion are lower, while rates of behavioral and learning problems are higher. Advocates for foster children argue that minimizing moves from school to school would be one positive step in the right direction.
A Substitute version of this bill passed the House 98-0. The bill includes a pilot in two school districts which would implement the policy of retaining foster children in their original school.
With amendments, the Senate bill is virtually identical to the House bill; it passed the House. It goes next to the Governor.

ESHB 2379 - MAKING IT A CRIME TO LEAVE A CHILD WITH A SEX OFFENDER.
This bill would charge parents and persons entrusted with the care of a child, including a child care provider, who knowingly leaves the child with a registered sex offender with criminal mistreatment, a fourth degree misdemeanor.
A Substitute version of this bill passed the House. It passed the Senate. It should go shortly to the Governor.

ESHB 2382 - REVISING P A Substitute version of this bill passed the Senate.

HB 2459 - CHANGING CHILDRENS SERVICES AND PROGRAMS AS A RESULT OF BUDGET REDUCTIONS.
This deceptively simple title tops a 41-page bill that would significantly scale back programs for children and youth - particularly those providing early intervention services to youth and families. The bill was introduced at the request of the Office of Financial Manage-ment and was referred directly to the Appropriations Committee.
It would effectively legislate the program cuts recommended in the Governor's proposed budget, ending dozens of programs (e.g., the Community Safety Networks, the Family Policy Council, and secure Crisis Residential Centers) even though no budget decisions have been made, and no funding has been eliminated. It would change language establishing many programs from "Shall" to "May." Advocates are concerned because these programs represent investments which assist families in crisis, and keep young people out of the costly Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice systems.
This bill is being held in the Appropriations Committee where it may be deemed "necessary to the budget."

ESHB 2574 - ESTABLISHING A DEMONSTRATION SITE FOR A STATEWIDE CHILDREN'S SYSTEM OF CARE.
In this bill, Children's System of Care is defined as, "a centralized community care coordination system representing a philosophy about the way services should be delivered to children and their families, using existing resources of various child-serving agencies, and allowing for "blended funding." The agencies represented may include providers of mental health services, drug and alcohol services, services for the developmentally disabled, county juvenile justice and state juvenile rehabilitation, child welfare and special education.
A Substitute version passed the Senate.


Budget Items.
The various Budget proposals include cuts in a variety of programs that offer prevention and/or early intervention for children at risk. Among them are reductions or elimination of:
-- the ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE SERVICES.
Eliminated in the Governor and the House Budgets (-$1.2 million);
-- the PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE PROGRAM
Eliminated in the Governor and the House Budgets (-$1.1 million);
-- the CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM - early intervention for low risk families in 4 counties. Eliminated in the Governor and the House Budgets (-$1.7 million);
-- FAMILY RECONCILIATION SERVICES
Eliminated in the Governor's Budget (-$3 million);
-- FAMILY RECONCILIATION SERVICES PHASE II - for families with troubled youth ages 12 -17. Eliminated in all 3 budgets
(-$1.7 million,),
-- PARENTS TRUST - for families at risk of neglect/abuse;
State funding eliminated in the Governor and House Budgets ($200,000).

CIVIL RIGHTS/CIVIL LIBERTIES

ESHB 1444 - REQUIRING POLICIES PROHIBITING HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, AND BULLYING ON SCHOOL GROUNDS AND AT SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.
The bill declares that a safe and civil environment in school is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards. Harassment, intimidation, or bullying, like other disruptive or violent behavior, is conduct that disrupts both a student's ability to learn and a school's ability to educate its students in a safe environment. This bill results in part from a study by the Attorney General's office.
A Substitute Bill passed the House (81-16). House changes included a definition of harassment; latitude for local jurisdictions to either incorporate the definition of "harassment, intimidation, or bullying" into an existing policy or develop a new policy; and there will be training materials for implementing the policy.
It passed the Senate (40-7) with minor amendments. It calls for the Superintendent for Public Instruction to develop model rules to aid schools in developing their own, and to track incidents that lead to disciplinary action. The bill expressly includes ALL bias-motivated harassment. This caps a five-year effort to deal with bullying. First it goes back to the House for concurrence with the Senate-passed amendments (which is expected). Next stop is the Governor.

ESHB 2505 - PENALIZING UNLAWFUL INSTRUCTION IN CIVIL DISORDER.
This bill was requested to fill a loophole in our State's law regarding groups that train with the intent of creating "civil disorder." Not to be confused with civil disobedience, civil disorder is an act of violence by a group of people that results in injury to a person or person's property. The legislation would affect groups that are training individuals (and the individuals being trained) in the techniques and mechanisms intending to create civil disorder. All of our surrounding states and every western state have a similar statutes on the books.
The Senate bill (SB 6451) DIED.
A Substitute version of the House bill passed the Senate. It is expected to go soon to the Governor.

ESSB 6704 - INCREASING PENALTIES FOR TERRORIST ACTS.
This bill would create three new crimes: terrorist hoax, unlawful use of biological agents, and use or possession of radioactive material. It also allows judges to impose sentences beyond the standard range, including capital punishment. It passed the Senate by a vote of 42-7.
This bill passed the House. It will go soon to the Governor.

These are among many bills in a new category of bills related to terrorism. Concerns have been raised about the possible criminalization of political beliefs, the future of nonviolent protest, the free exercise of First Amendment rights, inappropriate use of wiretapping and other covert methods of obtaining information, ethnic profiling, and a host of civil liberties questions.
- - - - - - - -

DISABILITIES

HB 2969 - THE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT BILL. This bill includes more revenue for buses and paratransit serving people with disabilities. It had an unusual Public Hearing before the Senate Committee on Transportation on Saturday, March 2. It concerns a proposed $580 million for transit over ten years. Advocates are concerned that the Senate may try to shift revenue from transit to roads. It was on the Senate Floor. See note below under Budget Items

SHB 2439 SPECIFYING SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
This bill would direct the Department of Social & Health Services to
provide appropriate services and supports to an eligible child with
developmental disabilities at a level comparable to that provided in the
voluntary placement program, excluding the room and board compo-nent of that program. These services are intended to assist families in keeping the child in the family home until it is appropriate and feasible for the child to live elsewhere. Some legislators want to consider all DD bills as part of a whole, and then consider their impact on the budget. Consequently, it may yet pass as part of the final budget. If not, advocates will be back with some version next year.
A Substitute version of this bill is being held in the House Appropriations Committee - as possibly "necessary for the budget."

HB 2529/ SB 6585 - REQUIRING SUPPORT PAYMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE.
This bill is offered as a result of the budget deficit. Some observers believe the House bill will be attached to the budget. It will have the support of disability advocates - so long as parent participation is required for all out-of-home services for children (including institutions).
Both bills appeared to have died in their respective fiscal committees. - unless "necessary for the budget."

SSB 6733 - EXTENDING SERVICE CHOICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
This bill is variously described as: expanding respite care in state institutions by keeping vacancies open for this purpose; and also as reversing the state's policy of including people with developmental disabilities in the community, by maintaining the Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs) in perpetuity. Groups associated with protection and advocacy oppose the bill, but some form of it may survive in the budget.
A Substitute version of this bill is being held in the Ways & Means Committee, and may be deemed "necessary for the budget."

Budget Items

Liquidation of Family Support. In the House Budget, Family Support dollars would be turned into cash supplement for families at or below 200% of federal poverty level. In the Senate budget, Family Support services would be means-tested and go only to low and moderate income families - details of income levels were not provided.
This will also end funding for services such as Parent-to-Parent and community guides.

SSI State Supplement. The House Budget would reduce and then phase these payments out, and divide the remaining money among other SSI-eligible persons. The Senate Budget would eliminate these payments for 90,000 low-income adults. and "Re-form" them into DD cash payments. High school transition graduates are also affected.

Three professional service contracts (e.g., for technical assistance, for training, conferences, workshops) are eliminated in the House Budget, but not in the Senate.
*
Arc lawsuit settlement. The House and Senate Budgets contain no money to address the needs of the unserved and underserved included in the lawsuit.

Medicaid Personal Care and Medical Assistance (coupons) will be eliminated for 1,400 families in both the House and Senate Budgets.

The Governor would impose a hiring freeze on Developmental Disability case managers. Last year legislators agreed to hire desperately needed new case managers; the funding for 2002 hires could be stopped. This jeopardizes federal funding for the Home and
Community-Based waiver (also known as the CAP waiver), and affects quality of life for those who rely on help from their case managers.

Delay or reduction in provider wage increase. The Governor would have a two-month delay in cost-of-living increases for vendors and state employees. The House budget has a delay and reduction. The Senate budget reduces the rate to 1.5%, with no delay.

In Week Six the House Transportation committee issued its ten-year transportation plan, with a recommendation of just $214 million for transit and special needs transportation. Compared with last year's talk of $913 million and the Governor's proposed $588 million, the Committee's recommendation is inadequate. It represents about one-tenth of the funding that existed before Initiative 695 - a clear step backward. The House may try to send this proposal to the public for a vote. Disability advocates are watching it closely.

 

HEALTH CARE

SSB 6426 - ALLOWING SICK LEAVE TO CARE FOR FAMILY MEMBERS.
This bill provides that an employer shall not in any way discriminate against an employee because an employee excises the right to use sick leave to care for family members. Few other states have extended sick leave to care for family members. An effort to include domestic partners failed.
The House bill (SHB 2364) DIED.
The Senate bill passed the House but with changes that require it to go back to the Senate for concurrence; that is expected. It includes children under 18 or disabled, a spouse, parent or parent-in-law and grandparent. The leave cannot be advanced (it must have been earned), and employees get to decide whether to use sick, vacation, or other paid leave. It should go to the Governor soon.

SSB 6368 - DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE PRESCRIPTION DRUG EDUCATION AND UTILIZATION SYSTEM.
Because prescription drugs play an increasingly significant role in the health of Washington residents, at the same time the cost of these drugs is rising (and many are not insured for drug costs), several bills have been introduced. They would have the state use its purchasing power and position as a major buyer of prescription drugs, to reduce the price for drugs, and offer some relief to others in need who lack prescription drug coverage.
Under the bill a panel would develop a list of "preferred" from which the state would choose the cheapest - and then use the combined buying power of the state to negotiate good prices. In the first year the bill applies only to medicaid patients, then, after a year, local governments, private companies and others lacking insurance could join in. It is expected to save the state millions of dollars in future costs.
The House bill (HB 2431) was "amended onto" the Senate bill - which now becomes the vehicle. This bill is a priority for health consumers and senior citizens, as well as everyone wishing to reduce rising health care costs. It was also the subject of a massive misinformation campaign by the pharmaceutical industry, that was designed to frighten people of color into opposing the bill.
The Senate bill is now on the House Floor.
NOTE: The expected savings from this bill is estimated at $200 million annually in the upcoming biennium, without causing harm to patients. More important, supporters argue that these savings can be used to protect other human services programs.

HB 2461- REQUIRING LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL OF FEDERAL WAIVERS TO THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
Also known as the "Bureaucracy Accountability Act," or the "Medicaid Waiver Sunshine Law," this bill requires the Department to consult with the House and Senate Committees before requesting any federal demonstration waivers modifying the Medical Assistance Program, and makes this provision retroactive.
Advocates for persons with mental illness are among those supporting this bill, because of the potential any Medicaid waiver would have to eliminate benefits, alter eligibility, and/or require co-pays for people with mental health issues.
The Senate bill (SB 6716) died.
The status of the House bill is unclear. It did not move before the cut-off, but legislative supporters are looking for ways to keep it alive. It may get amended onto another bill.

SSB 6268 - PHARMACY ACCESS PROGRAM
This bill provides two years of funding ($125,000 each year) to develop a strategy for local governments to reduce the costs and increase access for prescription drug consumers. The administrator of the Health Care Authority will report to the Governor and Legislature by 1/1/03 on progress in implementing efforts to coordinate drug purchases.
A Substitute version of this bill appears to have died in the Senate Ways & Means Committee, unless "necessary for the budget."


Budget Items:
The Governor's budget would eliminate state funding for MEDICAL INTERPRETER SERVICES ($6.6 million), thus putting Medical Assistance patients with limited English competency at risk. The House and Senate Budgets assume $728,000 in savings due to "efficiencies," rather than elimination.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG FUNDING is also at risk. Both the Governor's and the House Budgets include a $35 million savings to the state by changing the way the state reimburses pharmacies. The Senate budget is less harsh, and assumes only a $20 million savings. Concerns have been raised that this essentially asks pharmacists to solve the problem of rising drug costs, but it could easily backfire. Access to services, both in community and residential settings, could become more difficult for Medicaid patients.

LOCAL HEALTH AGENCIES will lose a significant amount of funding if the state discontinues some or all of the $100 million in funds to county governments to make up for losses (i.e. "backfill) from I-695. These funds are used by public health agencies to support a number of public health programs.
The House Budget reduces this by $12million; the Senate Budget reduces it by much less. The Governor would eliminate the
Backfill" money entirely.

Budget negotiations will also be monitored to protect programs for the PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CANCER (e.g., tobacco control efforts, treatment for low-income women diagnosed with breast and/or cervical cancer).

HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS

2SSB 5134 - MOBILE HOMES
It would eliminate a provision that allows mobile home park owners to establish their own fire and safety standards, on top of those set by the State, and to block sales or evict tenants if their mobile home does not meet the landlord's individual standards. If SB 5134 passed, existing mobile home fire and safety regulations could be enforced by state and local building code officials, without landlord interference.
A Substitute version of this bill appears DEAD.


HB 2060/E3 S SB 5936 - TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR HOUSING PROJECTS
Would require a $10 fee for each real property document recorded, with the proceeds to be added to the Housing Trust Fund to provide for low-income housing projects and other housing development. 60% of the funds collected would stay in the communities where the fee was collected, to be used by local decision-makers for locally-identified low-income housing needs; and the remaining 40% would be used to support the operations of housing for
extremely low-income persons across the state.
This bill is the 2002 legislative priority for low-income housing advocates. Concerns have been raised that the worsening budget situation may cause legislators to see this as a source of revenue for the State General Fund - and not just for low-cost housing.
The House bill is the vehicle. It passed the House, by a 68-29 vote and has now passed the Senate. It should go to the Governor soon.


Budget Items: the Governor would cut funds for Emergency Shelter Assistance by $1.9 million, and funds for Overnight Youth Shelter by $120,00. The House and Senate Budgets would avoid these cuts through fund transfers.
- - - -

HUNGER AND NUTRITION

SHB 2325 - DONATED FOOD
This bill springs from concerns raised in Eastern Washington after local health departments placed severe restrictions on potluck-type (home-cooked) dinners for the hungry. Usually operated by faith communities, they have resulted in no known incidents of food poisoning. The bill would allow the serving of "non-hazardous food," an interesting term.
A Substitute version of this bill Passed the Senate.

HB 2448/ SB 6425 - AUTHORIZING ACCESS TO SCHOOL MEAL PROGRAMS AND KITCHEN FACILITIES.
This bill is concerned with access by catering groups.
The House bill passed to the Senate Floor.
The Senate bill passed the House and is on its way to the Governor.

SB 6799 - TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
This bill provides $1 million to sustain funding for EFAP.
This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Ways & means, where it remains; it may be "necessary to the budget."


Budget Items

EFAP - the EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - would be cut $565,000 in the Governor's proposed Budget ($500,000 for building capacity to handle perishable foods, plus $65,000 for a food bank distribution center in Grays Harbor County.). Both are restored in the House and Senate Budgets.

These are funds used to purchase equipment and contract for food distribution in the emergency food network. Three hundred and ten (310) food banks receive EFAP funds, serving 1,080,000 clients for a total of 5,549,000 client visits.


The FARMER'S MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM would be cut by $263,000 in the Governor's proposed budget; the funds are restored in the House and Senate Budgets.
These are funds that enable high-risk, low-income women and children have access to fresh produce at farmers' markets, using their WIC benefits. Twenty-two farmers' markets participate with over 400 small farmers. Elimination of the WIC farmers market funding would remove Washington from the program; it is unlikely we would be re-admitted to the program in future years.

WIC - Women Infants and Childrens health and nutrition program for high risk women and children - this would be cut $423,000 in all three budgets.

WIC is thought to be doubly at risk because of plans to end state funds to "back fill" the funds that county health departments lost with the passage of I-695. King County alone would lose 1/3 of WIC slots (more than 10,000 people) and $6.9 million worth of vouchers if their "backfill" dedicated to WIC is cut as proposed. This could mean reduced services to the 0-3 population, eliminating 3 & 4 year olds, and some changes in services to post-partum women. Some clinics will close; some will drastically reduce services.

JUVENILES/YOUTH

HB 2380 - CHANGING PROVISIONS RELATING TO SEGRE-GATION OF CHILD OFFENDERS FROM ADULT OFFENDERS.
This bill stipulates circumstances under which an offender over 18 years but under 21 years of age may be maintained in a housing unit for offenders under 18.
This bill passed the Senate. It should go to the Governor soon.

HB 2459 - CHANGING CHILDRENS SERVICES AND PROGRAMS AS A RESULT OF BUDGET REDUCTIONS.
This deceptively simple title tops a 41-page bill that would significantly scale back programs for children and youth - particularly those providing early intervention services to youth and families. The bill was introduced at the request of the Office of Financial Management and was referred directly to the Appropriations Committee.
It would effectively legislate the program cuts recommended in the Governor's proposed budget, ending dozens of programs (e.g., the Community Safety Networks, the Family Policy Council, and secure Crisis Residential Centers) even though no budget decisions have been made, and no funding has been eliminated. It would change language establishing many programs from "Shall" to "May." Advocates are concerned because these programs represent investments which assist families in crisis, and keep young people out of the costly Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice systems.
This bill remains before the House Committee on Appro-priations, but could still get action later as "a bill necessary to implement the budget."

Budget Items
-- $120,000 for the state's five licensed youth shelters (each gets about $22,000); Governor would eliminate; House and Senate Budgets avoid these cuts through fund transfers.
-- $750,000 for the Juvenile Violence Prevention Grant. Eliminated in the House and Governor Budgets, but retained in the Senate Budget.

(A related proposal would cut $1.2 million from Drug and Substance Abuse Treatment programs, currently funded through the VRDE account. Discussions related to future uses of the VRDE - Violence Reduction and Drug Enforcement - Account are underway.)

HOPE beds and Responsible Living Skills beds are cut in both the Governor's and the House budgets, but retained in the Senate Budget. funding for the. While the House budget retains full funding by
25%, the House budget is considerably worse for children's services.

THE COMMUNITY HEALTH & SAFETY NETWORKS. Begun in 1992, the Networks are not programs, but a system under the jurisdiction of the Community Trade and Economic Development Department.

The Networks consist of community people who identify local needs and provide funding to programs that prevent youth violence and other negative outcomes for children. The Networks have served as incubators for innovative new approaches from the local level, on such issues as teen pregnancy, youth violence, and child abuse.
The Governor's budget and the House Budget would eliminate the Networks; the Senate Budget retains funding for the Networks.

MENTAL HEALTH

2ESSB 5522 - CREATING AN INDEPENDENT MENTAL HEALTH OMBUDSMAN under the office of Community Development.
This bill has passed the Senate and was referred to the House.
On, 2/28 this bill was voted out of the House Health Care Committee. This bill has been significantly changed. In its current form it creates a Mental Health Ombudsman independent of the Regional Support Networks, and - it is hoped - more responsive to consumers. There is a small fiscal impact, which is why it has been sent to the House Appropriations Committee, where it appears to have DIED.

SB 6469 - AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES INFORMATION TO DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS.
The House bill (HB 2476) is DEAD.
The Senate bill passed the House and is on its way to the Governor.


Budget Items
The Governor's proposed budget would cut funding for the Regional Support Networks by $4.6 million, effectively reducing rates paid to RSNs by 3%. The reductions would come from both inpatient and outpatient care. Since the Mental Health system is currently under-funded, with little in the way of prevention/early intervention or services for any but the most critically ill, these cuts are regarded as far more serious than the dollar amounts may ialized treatment for children - eliminated by the Governor;
* Program for Adaptive Living Skills (PALS) unit at Western State., (This program helps ready patients for life outside the institution.) The Governor's budget would cut about 60-70 beds; the House Budget would close about 30 beds and send those individuals to community facilities; the Senate would also affect only about 30 individuals, and would require that services be in place in the community before any PALS beds were closed down.

Other proposed cuts would affect individuals with mental illness - e.g., cuts in emergency food and shelter, other basic services.

SEXUAL ABUSE/DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

HB 1248 - TO ALLOW VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR STALKING TO GET UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.
This bill recognizes that people being stalked or followed by abusers may miss work through no fault of their own, and thus should be eligible for UI. Domestic Violence advocates point out that this is a proper use of these funds because it concerns an involuntary resignation needed to protect oneself and fellow workers from injury.
This bill passed both houses and has been delivered to the Governor.

SHB 2381-TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS.
This bill would provide a coordinated, humane response for victims of human trafficking, and it creates a Washington state task force against the trafficking of persons.
This bill passed both houses and has been delivered to the Governor.

SSB 6412 - MAIL ORDER BRIDES
This bill would require the disclosure of critical information by international matchmaking organizations, in order to protect "mail order brides" from prospective partners with a history of violence.
A Substitute version of this bill passed the House. It should go soon to the Governor.

SSB 6537 - PROVIDING EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION TO SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS
This bill deems it essential that all hospital emergency rooms provide emergency contraception as a treatment option to any woman who seeks treatment as a result of a sexual assault.
A Substitute version of the Senate bill passed the House and is on its way to the Governor.

Budget Item.
Possible reductions in the VRDE Account could threaten services for victims of Sexual Assault (and other crime victims services).

SUBSTANCE ABUSE/TREATMENT

SHB 2338/ SSB 6361 - DRUG SENTENCING REFORM. ... REVISING SENTENCES FOR DRUG OFFENSES.
These bills would increase the use of substance abuse treatment for defendants and offenders in order to reduce recidivism and increase the likelihood that they will become law-abiding persons.
House and Senate versions differ in how much of any savings would be used for drug treatment.
The bill also intends that sentences for drug offenses accurately reflect the impact of substance abuse and addiction on public safety, that the public be protected from violent offenders, and that sentences be based on research, and on public policy goals established by the legislature. It includes a new drug sentencing "grid" and sets aside funds for treatment and drug courts. If passed, it would limit the need for building more prisons, in addition to lowering the incidence of crime (because so much is drug-related). The Governor's office has expressed support for a combination of sentence reform and drug treatment.
A Substitute version passed the House 72-25. The bill lowers sentences of future non-violent drug offenders, with the savings from prison beds going to fund drug courts to supervise community-based treatment. Drug courts could be expanded through-out the state. By 2004 the bill would require a new sentencing grid for drug offenses; it also offers judges wide discretion (e.g., drug court, prison-based treatment, or traditional prison time). It included an increase in the amount going community-based treatment, and an extra 10% for child care and transportation related to outpatient treatment in drug court.
A Substitute version of House the bill remains in the Senate Ways & Means Committee. It is exempt from the cut-off because it is "necessary to the budget." The savings it would generate ($100,000 for the supplemental budget in '03 and $600,000 in '04) have been assumed in both the House and Senate budgets and may be used to trade off against other bills.

SB 6482 - REMOVING TIME LIMITS FOR TREATMENT
This bill would eliminate the 60-day limit on state-funded treatment, and better tailor treatment to the individual.
This bill has been signed by the Speaker; it is headed to the Governor.


Advocates for sentencing reforms and improved access to substance abuse treatment have used this Session to build a powerful case. In brief: treatment saves in millions of dollars in costs to a variety of costly systems - e.g., the child welfare system (many child neglect cases involve substance abuse), and the criminal justice system (lower crime rates, less need for more jails).

Meanwhile, there is some $30 million in new spending included in the Governor's budget to pay for prison expansion - money that might be used elsewhere to avoid cuts and retain services. Not only would there be savings from a lower Department of Corrections headcount, better treatment access would help return non-violent offenders to the community as productive citizens.


Budget items
Several direct treatment programs are affected. Among them are:
-- the Treatment Accountability for Safe Communities - TASC program. TASC is a 20-year old program working to reduce drug abuse and criminal activity, and to connect the criminal justice and chemical dependency systems; works with Drug Courts.
Both the Governor's and House Budgets would eliminate this (-$3.5 million); the Senate budget reduces it (-$.9 million and merge with drug courts).
-- the GRAVELY DISABLED PROGRAM - substance abuse treatment reduction. Both the Governor's and the Senate budgets would eliminate this funding for one year (-$1.4 million); the House budget eliminates funding for two years (-$2.8 million).
-- 71 Recovery House beds. Both the Governor's and the House budgets would reduce capacity one-fourth ($1.1 million); the Senate budget makes no reduction in bed capacity.
-- reduce the Violence Reduction & Drug Education - VRDE - fund. All three budgets reduce funds about 2% (-$1.2 - $1.4 million).
-- reduction in Public Safety and Education Act - PSEA - funds for drug court and SSI supplemental funds. All three budgets reduce funding for this (-$18,000 - 27,000).
-- delay in Vendor Rate Change. All three budgets delay and/or reduce vendor rate increases.

TAX OPTIONS

This is a new section, occasioned by the increasingly urgent need to find additional revenues and thus avoid solving the deficit crisis through even more drastic cuts in health and social services. All these bills have been referred to one or another of the Fiscal Committees. Although none has passed, they remain exempt from the cut-offs because they may be deemed "necessary for the budget." Nonetheless, all are "long shots."


HB 2933 - REVIEWING, MODIFYING AND TERMINATING TAX PREFERENCES.
This bill would require the legislature to periodically review all tax preferences and determine which should be continued, changed, or eliminated - based on their ability to produce intended results.
This bill was referred to the House Finance Committee.

SB 6711 - PROVIDING THE NECESSARY REVENUES FOR HEALTH CARE.
This bill would assess a 1% flat tax on all taxable income (adjustable gross income as calculated for federal IRS purposes), with a $100,000 deduction. It also provides for repeal of the B&O tax. This bill recognizes that the legislature cannot establish a progressive income tax without amending the state constitution, but it could impose a flat tax on income. Proceeds would be targeted to the Health Services Account. Credits would be allowed for taxes imposed by other jurisdictions. It would raise an estimated $3 million for the biennium. This bill passed the Committee on Health and Long-Term Care and was referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 6770 - IMPOSING A SALES TAX ON JUNK FOOD.
This bill attempts to address the health costs attributable to poor nutrition, create disincentives for poor eating habits, and provide a source of funding for public health. It would levy a new or additional tax on retail sales of candy and carbonated beverages, but would exempt items sold in vending machines (which are already taxed). The tax revenues would be deposited in the Health Services Account. Amount of revenue likely to be generated was not available.
This bill was referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

6819 - AFFECTING THE STATE'S EXPENDITURE LIMITATIONS AND TO ADDRESS THE REVENUE SHORTFALL IN THE 2001-2003 BIENNIUM.
This bill permits revenue-raising actions (or revenue-neutral tax shifts) to be taken with a majority vote (not a super-majority) during the 2001-2003 biennium. It also provides that, during the 2001-2003 biennium, the legislature may transfer moneys from the emergency reserve fund to the general fund with a majority vote. To supporters, it represents a time-limited way (good for this session only) to give the legislature increased flexibility as it works to meet the current deficit crisis.
This bill passed the Senate.

NOTE: SHB 2413/SSB 6532 - TO REQUIRE BUSINESS SUBSIDY DISCLOSURE - failed earlier in the Session.
However, discussion of this bill has resulted in two actions.
a) the Ways & Means Committee is studying the state's list of
400 plus tax exemptions, in order to evaluate which might be eliminated to save state dollars. The criteria include whether or not the state gets a good return on each tax break - as the disclosure bill would have required.
b) HB 2971, which a new tax break to assist airplane repair companies, includes a requirement of corporate disclosure, through which businesses will annually report their job creation and retention goals, and whether they have met those goals. It also includes an automatic review in 2005, at which point the legislature will decide whether to kill continue it. The bill passed the House, 91-7, and appears stalled in the Senate Ways & Means Committee - unless "necessary for the budget."

WELFARE

HB 1144 - MODIFYING GOOD CAUSE REASONS FOR FAILURE TO PARTICIPATE IN WORKFIRST.
Originally, WorkFirst rules permitted a new mother to stay at home with her new baby for the first 12 months of the baby's life. Two years ago the legislature changed the policy and required new mothers to go to work or enter the WorkFirst job search program as soon as her infant reached three months of age.
This bill would restore the 12-month exemption for mothers on TANF. It would foster the mother-child bond, and - because infant care is very costly -- it would save millions in childcare costs.
This bill passed the Senate. It appears headed for the Governor.

SHB 2534 - GAINING INDEPENDENCE FOR FAMILIES Through Education.
This bill would create a new financial aid program to enable low-income parents to attend college (technical, community or four-year) full-time. Aid provided under this bill would not supplant or count against other forms of assistance. This bill was a top priority for welfare advocates. However, it had been amended to restrict funding to private sources, now and in the future, and that made it less attractive - even to initial supporters.
This bill has passed the House with a vote of 98-0, but DIED in the Senate.


Budget Items.
The "Welfare Box" has a $50-60 million short-fall. Everything from Resource & Referral and Legal services to training for child care providers will be affected, as will everyone from working community college students to struggling-first-job parents and all the businesses hiring workers at low wages. Many activities that help families move from welfare to work are now in jeopardy. Among them are:
-- education and training at community and technical colleges ($7.5 million) ;
-- TANF Substance Abuse treatment funds ($4 million) are slated to be cut as part of the Governor's effort to deal with the $50-60 million short-fall in the "welfare box." Since these funds are entirely under the Governor's control, these cuts may be a done deal. However, these are just about all of the current funds used to treat parents in TANF families before they lose their eligibility at the end of 5 years. The House is silent on this item; the Senate requires the funds be replaced.
-- TANF Substance Abuse Treatment ($2.5 million) -there is a second source of funding for TANF recipients, under DASA, the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse.
-- savings from lowering eligibility for childcare subsidies from the 225 percent of the federal poverty level ($32,917/year/family of 3) to 200 percent $29,260/year/family of 3). The change will affect about 1,000 families, 5 percent of all families receiving the subsidy.
-- increasing co-pays for subsidized child care by $5 per month/per child (co-pays will range from $15/month/child to approximately $300
per month, depending on income).

SSI STATE SUPPLEMENT - low-income individuals who are old, and/or have mental or physical disabilities, and are unemployable - but have too little work history to qualify for federal Social Security Disability benefits - get SSI - Supplemental Security Income benefits of about $500/month for all their living expenses. The state of Washington provides an additional supplement of $5 - 50/month - an amount that often makes the difference between being able to pay rent or being homeless, being able to pay for medication or remain in pain. That state supplement is marked for elimination in the Governor's proposed budget, for a "savings" of $30.9 million (though Federal law may not permit the change). Advocates for low-income adults argue it would be a false savings, because of predictable higher costs in shelter/hospital/institutional and other emergency needs.
The House Budget would reduce and then phase these payments out, and divide the remaining money among other SSI-eligible persons. The Senate Budget would eliminate these payments for 90,000 low-income adults and "Re-form" them into DD cash payments.

GENERAL ASSISTANCE UNEMPLOYABLE - GAU. GAU assists 18,000 adults with mental and physical disabilities who receive a $339 a month cash grant and medical coverage. Advocates fear the growing deficit puts GAU increasingly at risk of cuts or elimination, and that in turn would lead to increased homelessness,
hospital emergency room use, and mental health crises.
The House Budget would cut $17 million from this program; the Senate would cut $1.5 million (in "efficiencies").

MISCELLANEOUS

SB 6571 - PROVIDING FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENTS FOR BALLOT MEASURES.
This bill is also a reaction to citizen-passed initiatives that require spending or curtail revenues, on the basis of often inadequate or inaccurate information about the consequences. Fiscal notes are already prepared by the Office of Financial Management (OFM) when requested to do so on bills during the legislative session; this bill would provide that same service whenever voters are asked to act as legislators, i.e., when deciding ballot measures or referenda. This bill assumes that voters should know the budget consequences of the votes they cast on Initiatives and other ballot measures.
This bill was passed the House. It remains alive.

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