WA Legislature Finally Agrees on Painful Budget Cuts

We all knew it was going to be ugly, but now we've got the details. As of this writing, the House has already passed it, and the Senate should take action soon. You can read the ugly details in the Seattle Times which include less money for schools, teachers, administrators, the poor who rely on state medical programs, and college students who will probably face steep tuition increases.

Good times.

A few of the budget highlights from the Times Article:

$356 million in pay cuts, including a 1.9 percent cut for teachers and 3 percent for state workers.

$535 million cut from colleges and universities, partially offset with tuition increases.

$344 million saved by ending cost-of-living increases for certain state pension recipients.

$1.2 billion saved by suspending two education-related initiatives.

$130 million saved by reducing enrollment in the state Basic Health Plan.

$116 million saved by eliminating Disability Lifeline grants and replacing them with an essential needs and housing program.

$215 million cut to funding that reduced K-4 class sizes.

New $30 annual vehicle fee to visit state parks and other state recreational lands.