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Gov. Jay Inslee signed the two year operating budget Friday night as the fiscal year came to a close.
“I am proud to sign a historic budget that fully funds our schools for the first time in more than 30 years,” Inslee said. “This budget, at long last, meets our constitutional obligations to fully fund basic education, and addresses the responsibilities we have under the McCleary decision to equitably fund our schools.”
The governor was joined by a bipartisan group of legislative leaders from the House and Senate.
June 30 is the last day of the fiscal year. Because legislators had not yet approved a new operating budget, state agencies have had to prepare contingency plans in case of a government shutdown. The budget Inslee signed late Friday night ensured state government operations funding by the operating budget can continue.
Unfortunately, at this time, it is unclear whether the Legislature will approve a full capital budget, meaning some state workers will be temporarily laid off.
In addition to funding for schools, the new operating budget also has a number of provisions that help families and workers while strengthening Washington’s mental health system.
The final budget funds significant changes to integrate the state's mental and physical health systems. It also funds collective bargaining agreements to provide pay raises for hard-working state employees, and protects funding for vital services including health care, programs for people with disabilities, services for vulnerable seniors and job training for the under-skilled.
“This budget is a great example of bipartisan cooperation. It really shows what can be done when we work together,” Inslee said.
Details on the 2017-19 biennial budget can be found here.
WATCH - TVW: Gov. Inslee signs 2017-19 operating budget
Washington to become 5th state in the nation to adopt paid family leave
With strong bipartisan support, the Legislature passed a bill on Friday that establishes the most forward-thinking paid family and medical leave law in the nation.
The governor secured a federal grant in 2015 to begin designing a paid family leave program. He has pointed out that the United States is the only industrialized nation that does not offer paid leave for workers.
“All too often, new parents and those with aging or sick loved ones face no-win decisions pitting the need for a paycheck against the need to be there for their family,” Inslee said. “Our nation should not be the outlier in helping families navigate these difficult situations.”
The new Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program will provide up to 16 weeks of leave for those wanting to take time off to care for a new infant or care for a family member. Depending on their earnings, employees will receive up to 90 percent of their wage or salary or up to $1,000 per week.
The program will be implemented by 2020.
Once the governor signs the bill, Washington will join California, New Jersey, Rhode Island and New York in making sure working families are ensured they have the ability to care for their families and loved ones without jeopardizing their economic security.
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