Senate approves furloughs for some state workers
Brad Shannon; The Olympian - March 17, 2010

Job furloughs for about one-quarter of the state government work force remained a piece of the majority Democrats' proposed budget solution Tuesday. The Senate approved a bill calling for 10 furlough days on a 30-11 vote, with the days to occur between July 2010 and June 2011. Republican Sen. Joe Zarelli of Ridgefield objected to the furlough approach, saying it would micromanage agencies. He said the furloughs are a temporary solution to a state budget problem that is not temporary.

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Yea or nay? Baird, Smith votes in play on health bill
Kyung M. Song; Seattle Times - March 17, 2010

Of all the congressional Democrats who might vote no in the impending health-care showdown in the House, perhaps few could do it with more impunity than Rep. Brian Baird. He already did so once as one of 39 Democrats who opposed health-care legislation that passed the House in November. In addition to Baird, the focus has fallen on Rep. Adam Smith, D-Tacoma, who voted yes last year but is now wavering.

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Special session is Legislature's last chance to show restraint
News Tribune Editorial Board - March 14, 2010

Biblical creation took seven days. Getting the Legislature to pass a responsible budget in the same time frame might take a miracle of similar proportions. Gov. Chris Gregoire, in calling this week’s special session, gave lawmakers what amounts to an unofficial deadline. She wants the budget done in a week. Nothing prevents the Legislature from lingering longer. Nothing restricts it from considering other legislation either. Nothing, that is, except good sense and self-preservation. Special sessions cost up to $20,000 a day and the state doesn’t have a lot of spare change sitting around these days.

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State worker compensation analysis needs close scrutiny
Rachel Culbertson; The News Tribune - March 12, 2010

Organized labor and the private sector both call for “shared sacrifice” to close the looming budget deficit. Organized labor wants higher taxes. The private sector wants to lower public spending. Some studies suggest that state workers’ pay and benefits packages could use trimming; some claim state employee salaries are comparable to the private sector. Acquiring the right data to understand the total value of worker pay, including benefits, is difficult. To decide if, where and how much legislators should shave spending on state services, however, requires an honest look at the entire package.

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State spending to rise, despite budget cuts
Jim Brunner; Seattle Times - March 10, 2010

There was a lot of talk two months ago about making deep cuts in spending and reducing the size of state government to help close a $2.8 billion budget shortfall. Yet as the legislative session nears an end, spending is on track to increase. Lawmakers are planning cuts but have apparently set aside efforts to streamline state government that many feel could ease future budget problems.

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