Published by JD Rossetti in The Rebel on July 28, 2017

In a third special session, the Washington State legislature passed a $43.7 billion two- year budget and averted a partial government shutdown. Both Republicans and Democrats are claiming victory for providing $7.3 billion in new funding for K-12 education that they say will satisfy the McCleary Supreme Court mandate. The budget also includes funding for the State Need Grants for college students, increased funding for mental health programs, and pay raises for state workers.

The Washington State legislature also passed legislation concerning paid family and medical leave, becoming one of only five states in the country to have a such a program. This legislation is positive for working families.
According to data provided by the Washington State House Democrats, all qualified employees will be eligible for up to 12 paid weeks of medical or family leave with a combined annual maximum of 16 total weeks. Individuals with pregnancy related complications may take an additional two weeks of medical leave.

Average premiums will cost about $4 a week per employee (shared between the employer and employee) with a maximum benefit of $1,000 a week. The cost of the leave program will be shared with employee premiums accounting for about 63 percent and employers contributing 37 percent.

At the time of this article, lawmakers were continuing the last few days of the third special session. The operating and transportation budgets have been passed by both the House and the Senate. The House of Representatives has passed a capital budget, while the Senate has not. Senate Republicans had tried to link passage of the capital budget to passage of a proposal to address water issues known as the Hurst Decision.

If a capital budget is not enacted, our state could lose 75,000 jobs in construction, engi- neering, and natural resources; $1 billion in building new schools; and many local construction projects throughout the state, including projects for affordable housing and clean water.

If you care about the capital budget and the investments it will make in Washington, please call the Legislative Hotline (800-562-6000) and ask your senator to vote for a capital budget that builds up Washington before it’s too late.

Sincerely,
— J.D. Rossetti
Washington Legislative Director Washington Area Council, AWPPW