ISSUE: When our legislators convene in Olympia this January, they will identify their major public policy issues. No bill will be a better reflection of their true priorities than the two-year budget they will write and send to Governor Locke. Since the passage of Initiative 601, our budget has been written under a spending limit. In addition, the last several sessions have seen the passage and adoption of large tax breaks, primarily for the benefit of business interests. This fall the voters approved Referendum 49 for the increased spending on transportation. One of the more unfortunate aspects of Referendum 49 is the transfer of $469 million from the general fund to the transportation fund. All of these things add up to a very tight budget picture that pits human services against education and public safety interests.

NOW’s POSITION: Washington State NOW supports adjusting the 601 spending limit to eliminate re-basing and to change the spending cap formula to reflect the program growth that drives state spending (such as corrections and long term care, for example). NOW also opposes cuts in critical services such as sexual assault programs, domestic violence programs, WIC and ECEAP (the early childhood education program funded with state dollars). Finally, NOW urges the legislature to proceed cautiously before diverting huge sums from the welfare budget. Despite significant drops in the caseload, the new Workfirst program is just now beginning to address the needs of those more difficult to serve (such as those with no work history, developmental disabilities or a history of domestic violence). In addition, the promise of keeping people off of assistance by designing wage progression programs has not yet been realized, caseloads are beginning to increase again and key components such as child care rates have not been adequately addressed.