This is a special update of the Federation Hotline at about 1:45 p.m. Thursday afternoon, March 8.
BULLETIN: Senate, House passes supplemental budget; funds PSERS expansion, adds two new health benefits
Both the House and Senate earlier Thursday passed the final compromise supplemental budget that puts vulnerable people, children, public safety and natural resources first.
The House approved ESSB 6032 on a vote of 54-44.
The Senate followed, adopting the supplemental budget on a vote of 25-24.
It now goes to the governor for his signature.
The Legislature adjourns its 2018 session today.
Among other things, the supplemental funds the expansion of the PSERS pension program to include institutions workers in high-risk jobs.
It has a funding rate for our health insurance that expands some benefits: a new virtual diabetes prevention program; a change in the waiting period for dental crown replacements in the Uniform Dental Program from seven to five years; and an increase in the Medicare-eligible retiree subsidy from $150 a month to $168 a month starting next year.
There's also a one-time 1.5 percent cost-of-living benefit increase for PERS 1 retirees.
See all the compromise supplemental budget documents:: http://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/budget/detail/2018/ho2018p.asp
Watch for a more detailed hotline tomorrow on the final supplemental budget and the remarkable victories you chalked up this session thanks to your direct action.
That's it for now.
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