Preparing for a shutdown
Washington lawmakers started a second special session today.
Most are optimistic they will strike a deal on a two-year operating budget before the end of the month.
But we’ve heard that before.
On Friday, the state’s Office of Financial Management sent a letter to unionized state employees warning of temporary layoffs starting July 1.
“Please accept this notice of our intent to implement temporary layoffs for employees who work in services that will be suspended should budgets not be enacted by June 30, 2015,” the letter states.
The state has also started a contingency plan for state agency operations if lawmakers can’t reach a deal.
It lists each agency, summarizes the level of shutdown and shows the impact.
The Department of Commerce would be partially shut down, resulting in the suspension of the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy. The state’s Department of Fish & Wildlife would suspend enforcement activities, most hatchery operations and certain sport and commercial fisheries. And state parks would completely shut down, cancelling current camping and cabin reservations and special events, among others.
Lauren Dake
Lauren Dake covers politics for The Columbian. You can reach her at 360-735-4534 or lauren.dake@columbian.com. Follow her on Twitter .