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January 22, 2003
State cuts could hurt local programs
SEATTLE -- King County's already reduced social service budget will be further affected should Gov. Gary Locke's (D) state budget pass as proposed.
In a briefing before the Metropolitan King County Council, Chuck Williams, the county's government relations director, and Maureen Morris, deputy director of the Washington State Association of Counties, laid out the impact of the proposed state budget.
Some of the key state reductions are proposed for mental health programs and health coverage. Locke also proposes closing the $2.4 billion budget deficit by eliminating cost of living raises for state workers and teachers and requiring higher contributions from employees for health care, saving $774 million.
"These cuts are very significant," said Council member Dwight Pelz (D-Seattle). Referring to the concentration of homeless people near the King County Courthouse, Pelz said, "I think you're going to see the population outside the courthouse here increase significantly."