Print  email 

Government lists priorities for spending

By Adam Wilson | The Olympian • Published November 20, 2008

• Comments (0)

In the health category, the report recommended against paying $7.7 million for the Family Policy Council, a program that primarily coordinates other programs aimed at curbing child abuse and illegal drug use.

The same report recommended against paying $89 million for a new computer system to handle public employee health benefits.

The current system is 30 years old and handles $1.5 billion in transactions every year, said Dave Wasser of the Health Care Authority, which oversees it.

Knowing that the budget would be tight, the agency has asked to buy a new system using bonds, which could be repaid through higher fees charged to state agencies, he said.

"It's one of these things where the state has to make a decision, and it's a tough time to make a decision. But do we want a system this old and creaky to be running something this major?"

The budget gap that the state is facing is massive, including a $413 million shortfall by June that brings the total figure to $5 billion. But being on the "Do Not Buy" lists is not a death sentence for programs.

When she faced a smaller budget deficit in 2005, Gregoire singled one office for elimination: the State Film Office, which received $1.2 million in funding.

The Seattle-based office not only survived, but in 2006, the Legislature approved tax breaks for crews filming movies, commercials and television programs in the state. The State Film Office, which has a staff of two, helps crews find locations and explains the incentive program to prospective producers.

"The way it works is, the filmmakers show us information about what they're shooting, and we provide them with a location package," managing director Mary Trimarco said.

This year, the Film Office was ranked 115th out of 167 programs in the economic-vitality category. It was given a low priority — not the best possible, but better than "Do Not Buy."

"I can't speculate about what will happen next, but the incentive program is good. It does enhance Washington's competitiveness," Trimarco said.