COMMENTARY

Contact: Jason Mercier, Budget Research Analsyt
(360) 956-3482

Nine days left to adopt 2003-05 budget . . . and avoid a misdemeanor

By Jason Mercier, Evergreen Freedom Foundation
Oh, that pesky budget law. State law requires the adoption of a budget at least 30 days prior to the start of a new biennium, giving legislators wanting to avoid a misdemeanor just nine more days to reach an agreement on the 2003-05 budget and pass all the necessary bills to implement it. Enforcing that law depends, of course, on our attorney general. Anyone holding their breath?

It seems the sticking point in current budget negotiations is a $100 million contract for recently unionized home health care workers. Legislators are balking at some of the contract provisions, but under the new collective bargaining law they are only permitted to accept or reject the contract in its entirety; they cannot modify it. That being the case, most lawmakers are willing to give the pay increases sought, but they loathe the prospect of adding 26,000 new state employees as the current contract implies. Union officials apparently don't have much confidence they'll get their way with legislators this time around, so they've already filed two initiatives to take their demands directly to voters.

If voters plan to accommodate and support these new measures, hopefully they'll also require the union to identify a funding source, which is noticeably lacking this year.

Of course, some lawmakers feel like they just won the lottery with today's congressional approval of the Bush tax cut plan, which includes a massive federal bailout for the states. Washington stands to gain a juicy $400 million. But before state legislators plan a spending splurge, they should remember that this one-time money comes from taxpayers around the nation who are paying the consequences for our state's past fiscal mismanagement. It would be prudent to use the money to replenish Washington's rainy day fund so we can weather future economic crises.

For lawmakers who want to avoid potential legal problems, time is running out to approve a budget . . . and so is taxpayer patience.

Legal details:

RCW 43.88.080
Adoption of the omnibus appropriation bill or bills by the legislature shall constitute adoption of the budget and the making of appropriations therefor. A budget for state government shall be finally adopted not later than thirty calendar days prior to the beginning of the ensuing biennium.

RCW 43.88.270
Any officer or employee violating, or wilfully refusing or failing to comply with, any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Initiative 857 - Ballot Measure Summary
This measure would provide increased wages and benefits to individual providers of publicly-funded home care for elderly and disabled adults. Wages would be increased to $9.70 per hour on July 1, 2003, and $11.50 per hour on July 1, 2004, or a higher rate if required by other laws. Workers' compensation coverage would be provided at state expense. Providers would be eligible to enroll in the basic health plan for premiums of $10.00 per month.

Initiative 858 - Ballot Measure Summary
This measure would provide certain compensation and benefits to individual providers of publicly-funded home care for elderly and disabled adults. Compensation would be as provided in a collective bargaining agreement between individual providers and the home care quality authority. The agreement would be declared binding and enforceable. Workers compensation coverage would be provided at state expense. Providers would be eligible to enroll in the basic health plan at a premium rate of $10.00 per month.

Evergreen Freedom Foundation P.O. Box 552, Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 956-3482, Fax: (360) 352-1874 Email: effwa@effwa.org