Legislative Brief from Rep. Kevin Parker | 2-28-14
Spending plan will adjust state spending through June 30
The Washington State House of Representatives passed a bipartisan supplemental operating budget on a 83-15 vote today, spending less in near general fund and total dollars than the governor's proposed budget. The plan would adjust state spending through June 30 and would pay for: more mental health treatment capacity; the eastern Washington wildfires; the Oso landslide; the homecare shared living lawsuit; and children's services.
The early action supplemental budget addresses emergencies by tapping into the state's budget stabilization account, the state's rainy day fund, which requires a 60 percent vote to access. It also addresses some emerging issues by appropriating new monies amounting to around two-tenth's of one percent of the 2013-15 operating budget.
Rep. Bruce Chandler, R-Granger, and ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement:
“I'm pleased that both parties were able to come together and work on a spending plan that improves upon what the governor proposed. With input from both sides of the aisle, we've put together a supplemental budget that addresses some immediate and critical concerns and directs emergency resources to communities and individuals devastated by recent events. The bipartisan process we've gone through in the first few weeks of session will hopefully serve us well as we continue to build faith with the taxpayers. We'll use the lessons learned as we move forward to craft a predictable, sustainable and transparent two-year operating budget that serves the citizens of this state.”
Rep. Kevin Parker, R-Spokane, and assistant ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee, also issued the following:
“This isn't a perfect budget but it's certainly one most of us can agree is necessary and worthy of passing out of the House and onto the Senate where further alterations can be made if needed. It's critical that we start the process and get things moving so that these emergency funds make it to the families and communities in Oso and in eastern Washington who went through very unique and heart-wrenching circumstances this past year. We're also strengthening our safety net for the most vulnerable and tending to our legal obligations. In the end, there was more in this budget to agree with than to stand against, which is why there was such strong bipartisan support.”
