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DSHS-splitting bill moves forward

• Published February 20, 2009

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Color me surprised: Rep. Mike Armstrong's bill to split the Department of Social and Health Services into four agencies moved out of the House State Government Committee today (Friday).

"It's something we’ve talked about a long time. It's worth exploring. We'll see what the fiscal note says," said Chairman Sam Hunt, adding, "We don’t think the department took us seriously."

Well, the idea of breaking up the 20,000-person agency has been pushed forward for a long time without results. Certainly its been raised every session since Gov. Chris Gregoire took office in 2005. She and legislative allies have consistently snuffed it, arguing that reforming agency programs should take precedence over changing agency letterhead.

Maybe the guv no longer knows best. Hunt said his committee approved the bill unanimously. We'll see what happens with HB 2197.

Hunt also explained a curious little bill, HB 2267, which would amend the belt-tightening measure the governor just signed. It addresses collective bargaining, but Hunt said it specifically aimed at making sure some college unions at the bargaining table can continue to negotiate.