OLYMPIA—If legislators haven’t passed a budget by July 1, the Washington State Department of Agriculture will suspend some services, while the Department of Ecology will stop almost all functions, including its drought response.
Officials estimate that more than 25,000 employees, roughly half the state government’s workforce, will receive layoff notices June 23, a week before the 2013-15 budget expires.
David Schumacher, the governor’s budget director, said Thursday it would be “wildly optimistic” to think Senate and House budget writers will have an agreement by them. He predicted, however, they will make a deal by June 30, avoiding a partial government shutdown.
“I still think this will not happen,” he said. “I don’t think it’s in anybody’s interest.”
The state would continue constitutionally mandated duties, some emergency services and programs not dependent on general taxes.
The shutdown would put at risk DOE’s drought relief program, which the agency has implemented while waiting for lawmakers to approve its $9.6 million funding request. DOE would not be able to issue permits for emergency wells, facilitate emergency water transfers or monitor compliance with water rights, the agency’s drought coordinator, Jeff Marti, said.
Some 1,630 of the department’s 1,642 employees will receive layoff notices, according to a DOE spokeswoman.
DOE would suspend work on updating plans to regulate water-pollution sources, including agricultural operations.
The agency would respond to chemical spills and environmental complaints in extreme emergencies.
WSDA would investigate animal disease outbreaks, manure spills and food-borne illnesses. It also would continue programs funded by industry assessments, such as organic food certifications, and grain and livestock inspections.
WSDA would suspend functions such as trade promotions, routine inspections of dairies, and the plant inspection and food assistance programs.
The department receives only 20 percent of its budget from the general fund. Some 80 of its 750 employees would be laid off. “It’s certainly causing considerable angst,” WSDA spokesman Hector Castro said.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife would suspend law enforcement activities and stop issuing hunting and fishing licenses, according to a memo from WDFW Director Jim Unsworth.
WDFW says it’s obligated to keep on 59 employees to care for hatchery fish protected by the federal Endangered Species Act. Fish at about 40 other hatcheries are at risk, according Unsworth.
The department is trying to find a way to feed those fish during a government shutdown, he wrote. “We are optimistic that we can prevent loss of life.” He added, however: “It would take 49 staff to ensure these fish survive a government shutdown.”
Firefighting activities by the Department of Natural Resources would continue. Labor and Industries says it still will investigate workplace fatalities and injuries.
Lawmakers have passed a separate transportation budget, so road projects will continue. The Washington State Patrol is funded in the transportation budget.
The chances for a larger transportation package, which would include improvements to Interstate 90 and other highways used to deliver farm products from Eastern Washington to the Seattle and Tacoma ports, are fading as the Senate and House remain at odds over the operating budget.
Source: www.capitalpress.com