It comes only twelve days into the 2010 session and allows legislators to capture some early savings without waiting to vote on the full supplemental budget, a budget that won't be approved until the final days of session.
The bill makes $46.7 million in savings and extends numerous cost-saving measures approved by the Legislature last session.
The savings include:
- $18.6 million in administrative savings such as not hiring for vacant positions and reducing contract, travel and equipment spending.
- $9.4 million in efficiency savings such as consolidating printing functions in DSHS and expediting nursing home discharges.
- $10 million in service reductions to programs such as the Passport foster care program or Special Commitment Center services.
- $8.7 million in underexpenditures/federal funds including money unspent in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.