They're done.  We've only just begun.

The 2006 legislative session wrapped up one day early. Now that's an event worth pondering. 

After years of deadlocks, deficits and disagreements, the legislature swept through town before the minority knew what hit them.  The good news is that no one was harmed in the process. 

While most are cheering the passage of significant legislation and a savings of close to one billion dollars, others are already warning of doom and deficits next year.  Party poopers or visionaries? 

Unlike a television cliffhanger, they haven't left us wanting more, but they have left us wondering what's going to happen next. 

There's no mystery as to how the developmental disability story will unfold: we've got enough gas in the tank to gain a little ground, but as usual we'll have to push hard to get where we need to go. 

Despite advocates’ efforts to urge House and Senate budget negotiators to stick with Senate funding for Developmental disabilities, they pretty much split the baby and landed between the two levels. 

In the end, the budget for developmental disabilities gained $4.2 million in state funding for the following enhancements:

The rest of the money was parted out to home care agencies, adult family home rates and professional services at state DD institutions.

We can thank all of our legislators for funding these DD enhancements, but special thanks go to: Sen. Prentice (D-11); Sen. Fairley (D-32); Sen. Zarelli (R-18); Sen. Doumit (D-19); Sen. Brown (D-3); Rep. Sommers (D-36); Rep. Hunter (D-48); Rep. Lovick (D-44); Rep. Wallace (D-17); Rep. Santos (D-37) and Rep. Alexander (R-20).

Perhaps the single most disheartening outcome is what’s not in the budget:: a tiny appropriation of $300 thousand to study the needs of DD clients who are not receiving a paid service. 

In fiscal terms, it's very little money — not even enough to create budget dust.  For the future of community-based DD services, however, its value cannot be overstated. 

For years, the needs of those waiting for community-based services have been questioned by lawmakers and budget staff.  This study was an opportunity to address their questions. 

Apparently, there’s not enough legislative will to unearth the answers.  Either our message of unmet need is not getting through or it's not willing to be heard.  Regardless, something has to change. 

Legislators will be back next year, but individuals with developmental disabilities and their families don't have the luxury of leaving. 

If you are not already connected to a local advocacy group such as a parent coalition, Arc chapter or self advocacy organization, hook yourself up and help out.  Look for future Olympia Insiders for opportunities to get active and tone your advocacy muscles this summer.

For a printer friendly side by side comparison of the budget, visit: http://www.arcwa.org/2006_issues.htm

Community Protection -- SB 6630. This bill puts statutory language around the DD Community Protection program. It's a good first step to clarifying entry into and out of the program, as well as provider requirements and sanctions. An important component of the program, however, appears in the Senate budget and needs help to ensure that it is included in the final budget -- it's funding to provide legal services to clients who are entering, or who are already in, the program. Please thank the bill's Sponsor, Sen. Kline (D-37) for his leadership on this controversial issue. Please also thank Rep. Roberts (D-21) for responding to concerns raised by a recent series of articles about serious problems in the DD Community Protection program.

Mercury-Free Vaccines -- SB 5305. This legislation, spearheaded by the Autism Society of Washington, prohibits vaccinating pregnant women and children under age three with vaccines that contain mercury. There's been a debate as to whether or not mercury is linked to the incidence of autism. While this bill doesn't settle the issue one way or the other, it does remove at least one barrier for those who avoid vaccinations out of concern about autism. Please thank Sen. Rasmussen (D-2), the bill's sponsor for her strong commitment to individuals with autism. For those of you who don't know, Sen. Rasmussen is very involved in supporting her grandchild who has autism.

Help for Employment Providers -- HB 2759.  This bill relates to the transfer of property and facilities improved or acquired using Referendum 29 or 37 bonds. Sponsored by Rep. Ericks (D-1) this bill helps about 200 non-profit DD service providers stay in business by allowing public entities to transfer property to them.  This is important because many are at the end of affordable 25 year leases that allowed them to operate and obtain funding to improve the property they've been leasing.  Not only will increased rents put them out of business, but short term leases make it impossible to secure needed funding for capital improvements.  As Rep. Jarrett (R-41) said, it's a good little bill."

Protecting Dependent Persons -- HB 1080.  This bill expands the circumstances under which a person can be guilty of criminal mistreatment.  HB 1080 includes the withholding of basic necessities of life by someone who has assumed the responsibilities to provide these basic necessities. It was introduced last session and has moved all the way to final passed, thanks to the bill's sponsor Rep. McDonald (R-25) and Sen. Kline (D-37), chair of Senate Judiciary, who has provided exceptional support on this and other legal issues impacting persons with developmental disabilities.

Affordable Housing -- HB 2418.  This bill originally added $25 million to the Housing Trust fund to develop affordable housing.  It included a $1.25 million set-aside to meet the housing needs of people with developmental disabilities. The funding level in the final bill dropped to $21 million overall and $850,000 for the DD set-aside.  A very good gain!  Be sure to thank the following legislators: Rep. Dunshee (D-44); Rep.Springer; Speaker Chopp(D-43); Rep. Sommers (D-36); Rep.Fromhold (D-49); Rep. Kessler (D-24); Rep. Jarrett (R-41) and Rep. Holmquist (R-13).

Resources:

For a downloadable snapshot of all the bills we tracked this session, visit: http://www.arcwa.org/2006_issues.htm

Senate Member Directory: http://www1.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Senators/
House Member Directory: http://www1.leg.wa.gov/House