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April 23, 2009 6:22 PM

Senate and House Democrats provide more state budget details

Posted by Richard Wagoner

State budget negotiators have released a few more details about the budget that they will ask the Legislature to approve before Sunday, the last day of the regular session.

Here's the cheet sheet they sent out:

2009-2011 Operating Budget "Cuts with a conscience" Total Budget: $ 31.4 billion Ending fund balance: $830 million

K-12:
-- Total spending: $13.4 billion
-- Net cut after federal stimulus dollars are included: $794 million
-- I-732 suspended for two years: $353 million
-- I-728 reduced by $600 million
-- K-4 class-size reduction fully funded
-- Average per school district cut: 2.6%
-- One Learning Improvement Day (LID) is eliminated: $35.7 million
-- School district levy capacity increased by 4% (capping at 35%)

Higher Education:
-- Reductions, after tuition increase, are: 7% at UW/WSU; 6.5% at regional universities; and 6% at community colleges
--Tuition raised 14%/year at four year schools; 7%/year at community colleges
-- Number of enrollments eliminated: 9,028
-- State Need Grant is fully funded
-- Total financial aid increase: $52 million

Health Care:
-- Basic Health Plan - attrition of 40,000 enrollees, saving $255 million
-- No reductions to Medicare Part D premium support or to Adult Vision

Human Services:
-- General Assistance program is preserved - more focus on getting the right services to people
-- Long-term care programs - rate reductions approximately 4%
-- Adult day health - in-home services is preserved

Corrections/Juvenile Rehabilitation/Institutions:
-- Public safety concerns were tantamount in making savings - public defenders and law enforcement in support
-- No specific institutions are closed

Natural Resources:
-- No parks closed: all revenues from opt-in fee go solely for maintenance and operation of parks
-- No hatcheries closed unless not enough revenue from fees

Compensation/Employment:
-- Agencies are encouraged to use strategies such as reduced work scheduled, use of voluntary leave without pay, and temporary furloughs that enable employees to maintain permanent employee status, full insurance benefits, full accrual of retirement service credit, and a living wage.
-- Administrative cuts totaling roughly $250 million.

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Comments (2)
So in total how much more are they actually spending than in the previous year? The seattle times somehow never seems to mention that.  Posted on April 23, 2009 at 10:48 PM by dan l. Jump to comment
What new tax authorities has the legislature given to local governments? I heard my property will be taxed to pay for bus service? Is this true?  Posted on April 24, 2009 at 5:49 AM by Statistiker. Jump to comment

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