Wenatchee lawmaker Mike Armstrong has introduced a measure that would eliminate the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and break it apart into four smaller agencies.

Armstrong, a Republican, says the state pays $10 billion a year to run DSHS, and the federal government contributes another $10 billion annually, making it the most expensive state agency.

"There are some states in this country that don't have a $20 billion operating budget," Armstrong said this morning.

He cited DSHS' handling of urgent children's issues as a motivator for the bill. He said a fiscal note has not been completed. The bill would eliminate DSHS by July 1, 2011, and create four new smaller agencies: the Department of Economic Services, Department of Medical Assistance, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, and the Department of Children's Services.

While several Democrats have signed on as co-sponsors, House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, said the measure would cost to much to implement.

"That's a rather expensive big bite to chew this session," Kessler said.

Kessler said Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, is introducing a measure that would break Children's Administration out of DSHS to make it a separate agency. Hargrove couldn't be reached for comment this morning.

Gov. Chris Gregoire has talked extensively this session about cutting government costs in the midst of a $6 billion budget shortfall by consolidating several departments into other agencies. A spokesman for Gregoire said this morning that he hasn't seen Armstrong's bill.