Short-term state budget passes both houses

OLYMPIA — Both houses of the Legislature passed today a “middle action” budget with some $242 million in cuts to help keep the state from falling into a deficit when its fiscal year ends on June 30. The second supplemental budget in three months orders retroactive cuts to the state’s school districts, demanding back money the schools expected to help pay for smaller class sizes in grades K-4. But it keeps some programs Gov. Chris Gregoire advised ending as unsustainable under current economic conditions. Gregoire is scheduled to sign the budget this afternoon. The budget reduces the number of people eligible for the state-sponsored Basic Health insurance plan, and the Apple Children’s Health Plan. It also cuts the amount of cash grants to disabled residents on the Disability Lifeline program and attempts to make up for some cuts with housing vouchers. The bill, a compromise hammered out in recent days, passed first with a bipartisan majority in the Senate. It moved to the Hous,e where Democrats said it was an imperfect but necessary agreement. “There’s certainly something in this budget for everyone to hate,” Majority Leader Pat Sullivan, D-Covington, said. But it lives up to the state’s commitment to education and protects its most vulnerable residents, he contended. Republicans argued it cuts into education — some $25 million in state funding school districts were counting on to pay for smaller K-4 class sizes through the end of the school year is being withdrawn — while continuing social programs that aren’t working. “This budget is living in the past,” said Rep. Kevin Parker, R-Spokane. “It lacks the substantive reforms needed to move into the future.” Spokane-area legislators were split on the bill. In the Senate, where it passed 33-10, Republican Mike Baumgartner voted no, while Republicans Jeff Baxter, Bob Morton and Mark Schoesler, as well as Democrat Lisa Brown, voted yes. In the House. where it passed 55-41, Democrats Andy Billig and Timm Ormsby voted yes, while John Ahern, Susan Fagan, Joel Kretz, Kevin Parker, Matt Shea, Joe Schmick and Shelly Short, all Republicans, voted no.