Budget plan wins Senate OK

Pay increases for 2002 left unspecified

BRAD SHANNON, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published June 9

OLYMPIA -- State workers won a minor victory in the emerging state budget Friday when Sen. Karen Fraser of Olympia slipped in language that could make it easier to raise their pay a year from now.

The Senate budget, which passed on a 28-15 bipartisan vote, calls for 3.7 percent pay increases for K-12 school employees and all other state workers on July 1 but it leaves open the amount for 2002. State workers hailed the vote, although they remain disappointed by the overall budget proposal.

"My point is to recognize that the (wage increase) debate is open until next year," Fraser, a Democrat, said in a move that was also supported by Republican Sen. Dan Swecker of Rochester.

"Equity and fairness is always important," Swecker said, re- ferring to the way Initiative 732 has guaranteed higher pay increases for K-12 school employees than what the House was willing to give to state employees.

"This leaves it open for us to do the right thing next year," Swecker added.

Although Swecker supported the pay issue, he joined Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, and other Republicans in opposing the eventual budget bill, which proposes spending $22.78 billion on general-fund programs over the next two years.

Sheldon called the budget bill "unsustainable" and suggested that a new state revenue forecast next week will prove it. Several Republicans insisted it will set up the state for a huge tax increase in 2003.

"This budget ... is a cynical attempt to ignore reality and to get out of town before the really bad news hits next week," said Sen. Dino Rossi, R-Issaquah.

But Sen. Lisa Brown, the Spokane Democrat who wrote the latest budget after talks slowed with the House, said it includes more than $1.4 billion in unspent reserves that are more than enough to cover economic downturns.

The move to formally delay the setting of state employees' pay increase for another year won praise from the Washington Federation of State Employees' executive director, Greg Devereux.

The federation members have staged spotty strikes around the state to protest what they believe are unfair increases in medical premium costs and too-low pay.

Devereux said he remains "deeply disappointed" in the overall budget because it roughly doubles state employees' share of their health-insurance premiums and it increases co-payments for some medical procedures. A budget amendment pushed by Republicans would have erased the co-payment increases, but a majority of Democrats voted it down.

The Senate budget now goes to the House, where top Republican budget writer Barry Sehlin, R-Oak Harbor, has said he wants to see a $95 million reduction in spending from the Senate's plan.

"This budget is unsustainable, irresponsible and therefore unacceptable, and with all of the amendments being added, it's getting worse by the hour," Sehlin wrote in a statement released Friday.

Capital projects

Also sent to the House on Friday were budgets for capital construction projects and transportation. The capital budget includes $41 million that had been in doubt for a seminar building project at The Evergreen State College, but the $2.5 billion capital plan is running into a few snags with House Republicans.

One major hang-up is a GOP proposal to install lethal fencing at the Washington Corrections Center near Shelton to reduce the need for tower guards.

"Over this Quaker's dead body," said Sen. Darlene Fairley, D-Lake Forest Park, who co-authored the capital budget and has refused to allow the lethal fencing.

"We still think the lethal fencing is a cost-effective alternative to having those towers manned," countered Rep. Gary Alexander, R-Olympia. He disputed claims by Democrats that the fencing could be dangerous or leave the state liable, arguing that California hasn't had fatalities or escapes where the fencing has been used.

Transportation

The $3.5 billion transportation budget relies solely on existing revenues. A proposal to raise an additional $17.2 billion over 10 years remains stuck in the legislative morass, with House Republicans demanding lower wage standards for rural areas and more contracting out of highway maintenance work to private firms.

Rep. Sandra Romero, D-Olympia, said she has not given up yet on a transportation-tax package that could go to voters in November.

The next move on all three budgets now belongs to the House, since the Senate adjourned and won't be back as a full chamber any time soon.

Senate Majority Leader Sid Snyder, D-Long Beach, said members will be called back with less than a day's notice only if a budget agreement can be reached with the House, where the Democrats and Republicans' 49-49 tie requires special agreements to bring issues to a vote.

"I don't know what the House is going to do over there," Snyder said. "I would hope they do the democratic thing and have a vote."

"We think the negotiating is over," Snyder added, describing the Senate's proposal as take it or leave it.

Friday was the fifth day of the Legislature's second special session and the 140th day in session overall since January.

Brad Shannon, political editor for The Olympian, can be reached at 360-753-1688 or at shannonbrad@hotmail.com.

On the web:

Washington State Legislature.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

back to main Legislature 2001 index