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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Proposed Cutbacks

These programs would be cut under the state budget proposed by the House GOP.

General assistance-unemployable

Serves more than 2,395 people in Spokane’s 3rd Legislative District, the highest number in the state as a percentage of population. The budget would cut $43.2 million, eliminating support for one quarter of recipients statewide.

Pregnancy grants

Provides cash assistance to more than 375 pregnant women a year in Spokane’s 3rd District. That’s the largest number as a percentage of population in the state. The budget would cut $14 million statewide, or more than 90 percent.

Alexandria’s House

Home for unwed teenage mothers in Spokane run by Volunteers of America. Depends nearly entirely on state funds, which would be eliminated.

Family resource specialists

Provides counseling to troubled families in School District 81 and Central Valley School District. Program helps about 7,000 kids each year. State money would be eliminated; school districts would have to make up the loss or cut the program.

Spokane Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Center

Budget would eliminate money that pays for a case worker to serve 120 families each year.

Martin Luther King Center

Budget would cut money for parent outreach program in Spokane that helps prevent child abuse through counseling for parents. Program serves 50 families a year.

Deaconess Regional Center for Child Abuse and Neglect

Helps evaluate victims of most serious cases of sexual and physical abuse reported by Child Protective Services and law enforcement. About 400 children are helped each year through the program. GOP proposal would cut all state money, which makes up half its total budget of about $360,000 a year.

Welfare

The GOP budget provides no cost-of-living increase for families on welfare. Spokane’s 3rd Legislative District has more than 14,560 clients on welfare, the highest percentage of the population anywhere in the state. Under the GOP budget, the average family would get $546 per month to pay for most of life’s necessities, or $6,552 per year.

Source: Office of Financial Management.