[nfbwatlk] Fwd:Today's Supplemental Budget Vote

[Mike Freeman]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Sue Ammeter" <sue.ammeter at cablespeed.com>
> Date: February 22, 2011 10:47:16 AM PST
> To: <wcb-l at wcbinfo.org>
> Subject: [Wcb-l] Today's Supplemental Budget Vote
> 

> 
> From: Governor Christine Gregoire [mailto:Governor.ChristineGregoire at GOVERNOR.WA.GOV]
> Sent: Fri 2/18/2011 3:20 PM
> To: AllState Employees
> Subject: Today's Supplemental Budget Vote
> 
> Dear Colleague:
>  
> Today the Legislature took another step in addressing the state’s near-term budget gap.  Its members deserve our thanks for their collaborative and bipartisan effort which culminated in today’s early action supplemental bill and $242 million in savings.  The Legislature made difficult decisions in a short period of time.  The March caseload and revenue forecasts will provide remaining information necessary to complete the final supplemental budget.
>  
> The reductions made in the supplemental budget must be completed by June 30.  Five cuts the Legislature took today cannot be implemented in that tight time frame, and therefore I vetoed them.  I wanted you to know of those actions as several would have had an even greater impact on your ability to do your job.
>  
> I vetoed the following:
>  
> ·         A section requiring a 3 percent pay cut for many non-represented state employees, beginning April 1.  While sacrifices by state employees, in addition to many others, are essential during these tough times, I believe that compensation reductions must be made fairly and compassionately.  Hundreds of employees making less than $30,000 a year would be affected while the pay of some higher-salaried employees would be unchanged.  Additionally, thousands of state employees are already bringing home smaller paychecks as a result of temporary layoff days.  Employees subject to both temporary layoff days and this reduction would experience a 7.6 percent pay reduction in April and June.
>  
> ·         A section requiring $1 million of savings through reductions in communications functions in the executive branch.  Communications staff provide information to the public, media and legislators ranging from traffic information to public health concerns.  The bill’s savings target is not achievable in the last three months of the biennium.  Even so, I ask you to continue your efforts to create efficiencies.
>  
> ·         A section requiring the Department of Social and Health Services to achieve state General Fund savings of $1.7 million by reducing management staffing and administration.  In reality, the reduction is closer to twice that amount because many of these positions are partially supported by federal or other fund sources.  The department has already instituted administrative and other reductions, including the elimination of 147 centralized administrative staff — a 27 percent reduction. 
>  
> ·         A section prohibiting the Department of Information Services from spending any funds for the purchase or installation of equipment for the new State Data Center.  This will not save any money and will delay Data Center operation and savings made possible by the consolidation of existing data centers.
>  
> ·         A section restricting dual language pay provided to some employees who are fluent in more than one language and use those skills in the performance of their duties.  Dual language pay is included in the collective bargaining agreements that cover all but a fraction of these employees, which means that this reduction cannot be implemented.
>  
> I appreciate the enormity of the Legislature’s task and am especially appreciative at its resolve to work together to find solutions.  We will continue to collaborate as we now turn our attention to the immediate challenge of addressing the $4.6 billion shortfall in the 2011–13 budget.  This task will not get easier with time.
>  
> As we navigate these economically challenging times, I appreciate all that you do to find efficiencies and save money.  I ask you to keep up that effort.
>  
> Thank you for all you do,
>  
> Chris
>  
> I welcome your comments. Please contact me here.
>  
>  
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