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Budget: spend it or lose it

• Published March 12, 2008

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In the final version of the supplemental state budget House and Senate Democrats traded in some areas, agreed to do almost everything in others, and where they found unspent agency money, they took it.

Notably, in the Children’s Administrations and the Department of Corrections, they seized on unfilled personnel slots, worth $1.6 million and $2.1 million respectively. That’s 79 spots in Corrections according to Rep. Hans Dunshee (haven’t seen the number for Children’s).

That money was being spent hither and yon, including a remarkable commitment to the issues in the Braam Lawsuit on foster care.

“In child welfare, I think they did an amazing job,” said Laurie Lippold of the Children’s Home Society.

The bottom line: $230 million extra spent, $835 million left in the bank, according to the Ds.

It was the last go-round for the second-longest serving lawmaker and longtime budget chief, Rep. Helen Sommers. She’s retiring, undefeated and still quite influential.

After the budget press conference, we asked if she stuck back on the Service Employee International Union's famous attempt to oust her in a primary four years back.

“If I did, I’d keep it quiet,” she said.

UPDATE:The capital budget retains the money for the Perry Street childcare purchase, the Pro Arts site purchase (also likely for childcare), $17 million for John O'Brien rehab, and $11 million for that faulty wall in Ecology's Lacey headquarters. Also in there is $288,000 to repair Capitol Campus memorials. Not sure that's enough to save a few, have to go back and look.

UPDATE 2: Talked to Rich Pannkuk, the budget chief for the Children’s Administration, and there’s an interesting give and take on the FTEs there.

Essentially, the budget takes away $1.6 million (with federal, $2.3 mil) that had not been spent as the agency worked to fill the slots for which it had been funded. But it adds back that money in the end of this fiscal year, and then some, said Pannkuk.

Ultimately, the agency appears to receive 56 new workers under the supplemental budget request, including authorization to finish the 284-person bump up it was given last year by May – seven months ahead of schedule.

“We are very pleased with this supplemental. I think it reflects the governors and the Legislature’s commitment to children,” he said.