In the special session last Saturday, the legislature approved $585 million in savings (cuts mostly) to help close the $1.1 billion shortfall for the remaining six months of the 2009-11 budget. Today, Gov. Chris Gregoire announced another batch of cuts to close the remaining gap.
Elimination of additional state funds for kindergarten through 4th grade class size reduction efforts for the entire 2010–11 school year, saving $42.1 million.
Reducing levy equalization payments to eligible districts by 6.287 percent for Fiscal Year 2011, saving $18.0 million.
Shifting part of the June 2011 apportionment payment to school districts from the last business day of June 2011 to the first business day of July 2011. This will result in $253 million in savings.
Elimination of the Basic Health Plan beginning March 1, 2011. All insurance subsidized through the Basic Health Plan will be eliminated, which affects 66,000 individuals, saving $26.8 million in the general fund.
Elimination of the Disability Lifeline Grant and Medical programs, saving $43.5 million.
