We Have a Month to Fight Against Major Budget Cuts: Here's How
Governor Ferguson has proposed across-the-board budget cuts to tackle Washington's projected $12 billion budget deficit.
He's made clear that these cuts are intended to be in addition to the $2 billion in cuts suggested by Gov. Inslee before he left office, which included the closure of Rainier School and Yakima Valley School and two DOC reentry centers.
The House and Senate will release their budgets March 24 and 25.
That means we have until mid-March to convince our elected officials to reject cuts and balance the budget by having the wealthy and the most profitable corporations finally pay what they owe.
Every day, lobbyists for billionaires and corporations encourage our elected officials to balance the budget by cutting from the work we do and closing the facilities the most vulnerable depend on -- anything to keep our tax code the second most unfair in the United States.
And remember, the budget crisis is in large part a result of our state’s inequitable tax code that relies on those with the least to pay the most.
Every one of us needs to share with our elected officials the importance of our work and how drastic cuts would impact their constituents.
Contact Your Elected Official to Demand a Washington for All, Not Just the Rich
Yakima Valley School, Rainier School, Reentry Center Updates
The maneuvers to close Yakima Valley School and Yakima Valley School are proceeding.
Despite many impassioned calls and emails to our elected officials trying to pass House Bill 1908 -- including a visit to Olympia by Yakima Valley School workers from WFSE Local 1326 -- the bill did not receive a hearing and is dead.
The Senate bill to close Rainer School and Yakima Valley School was moved forward on the same day we were meeting with legislators without even having a hearing. The closures are still very much in play. Take action with our letter campaign here and follow instructions to call the Legislative Hotline.
Regarding the closures of DOC reentry centers in Yakima and Bellingham, Governor Ferguson has also been tight-lipped.
He has said he does not support any cuts to public safety, but he has also said he agrees with the cuts in Inslee's final budget before leaving office, which included the reentry centers. Same story there: We have to keep pushing to prevent closures.
Action Needed: Homes for Heroes Bill Advances: Sign in PRO by 12:00 pm on 2/20 (tomorrow)
One of our very popular priority bills, HB 1022, the Homes for Heroes Program, is advancing.
It would help create down payment assistance to targeted occupations (with a focus on public workers) encouraging relocation to and homeownership within Washington. This act aims to help public workers live in the communities they serve and continue to serve the state.
How to support this bill:
- Click on the committee link here and select PRO from the drop down menu, and then fill in your information
- If you put an organization, do NOT put your employer. Instead put WFSE member or leave it blank.
Protect Children, Don't Outsource DCYF! HB 1509 (Oppose)
Children who receive services from DCYF cannot be turned away. Sometimes they have special needs or circumstances that would not be welcome at private companies, and sometimes they've been receiving care for years and would be heavily disrupted with a move to other care providers. We're asking legislators to not outsource DCYF care.
Don't Turn Away Children in Need: HB 1509 (Oppose)
Children who receive services from DCYF cannot be turned away. Sometimes they have special needs or circumstances that would not be welcome at private companies, and sometimes they've been receiving care for years and would be heavily disrupted with a move to other care providers. We're asking legislators to not outsource DCYF care.
Keep Youth in Juvenile Retention Moving Forward: HB 1917
Our state needs capacity and compassion for youth in the juvenile retention system to keep their lives moving forward on a better path. We're asking the state not to close these centers and displace vulnerable youths, putting them back in dangerous places.
Protect DOT Workers, Educate Drivers on Worksite Safety: HB 1822
There are thousands of accidents every year on Washington's roadways, some of them fatal, harming the DOT workers that keep our roads safe. We're asking Washington's legislature to protect our highway workers and make education on work zone safety for drivers mandatory. It can literally save lives.
Simplify Bargaining for DOC Members, Save Time and Money: HB 1105
HB 1105 will create a stand-alone contract for WFSE DOC Community Corrections staff, separate from the general government bargaining table. This will save time and simplify the bargaining process for everyone.
