On September 17, 2209 the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council released its latest predictions on our state’s budget. According to Dr. Arun Raha, the state’s chief revenue forecaster, he is cautiously saying that “the state’s economy has reached its lowest point and will soon be on the mend.” According to Victor Moore, director for the Office of Financial Management, we are looking at a shortfall of $1 billion or more.
Governor Gregoire’s response is “Although we believe the recession has bottomed out, it will take some time for revenues to recover. I am preparing a supplemental budget request that accounts for the revenue shortfalls we have experienced since May.” State agencies have each been asked to provide her with two budgets, one cutting 5% and a second that cuts 10%. With the Division of Developmental Disabilities already having taken deep cuts in administration and programs such as residential services, supported employment, Medicaid Personal Care and other critical areas for individuals and families with developmental disabilities, where can more be taken from?
This coming legislative session, which starts on January 11, 2010, will be a very short session focused primarily on fixing the budget shortfall. There will be committees looking at possible bills, but it is unlikely that any bill requiring funding will have a chance of making it through. That does not mean we don’t continue to educate legislators about the need for funding services in the community, but our focus will be on retaining current community services and getting policy bills through that can strengthen services in the community, but that don’t have a fiscal note.
Two studies commissioned by the legislature last session are scheduled to submit a report before the next session starts. One has to do with reducing Residential Habilitation Centers (state institutions for people with developmental disabilities) by 250 beds through either consolidation or closure of facilities. The other report is from HB 2078 which will create a screening tool and training for jail and corrections staff when a person with a developmental disability is incarcerated. The legislature will review those reports and may make decisions based on them.
There are some policy issues being considered by advocates that will not have a fiscal note driving them such as the follow-up on respectful language, recommendations for alternatives to guardianship, a DD rights statute and some other legal policy issues.
Our main focus though, will need to be ensuring that no more cuts are made to DD services. One of the ways we can do this is by offering the Governor and legislators efficiencies that will save money without cutting services. We also need to encourage legislators to use any savings or efficiencies in the DD system to “buy back” programs that have already taken cuts. It is especially important not to staff up at the RHCs, which are much more expensive than community services, but to instead build up services in the community.
Much will be riding on your advocacy this next legislative session. Be sure you are signed up on The Arc’s Action Alert Center at http://capwiz.com/arcwa/state/main/?state=WA so that you can stay informed when your voice is needed on specific issues. You can also follow The Arc of Washington State on Twitter by following ArcofWA for action alerts that may change moment by moment. Change is made by those who show up, whether in person, by phone, text or email, just so your voice is heard.
Diana Stadden
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