The 6.3 percent across-the-board cuts to state government go into effect on Friday, so we’re starting to get information on where agencies will make those cuts. Today’s news comes from DSHS, the largest state agency. In a news release, the agency said it will cut 380 full time equivalent positions. DSHS already employs 2,000 fewer people than in 2008.

In addition to those cuts, DSHS will implement temporary layoffs, sending workers home one day per month without pay. Workers who are already subject to the 10 temporary layoffs (or furloughs) under last year’s budget cuts will take two additional furloughs for a total of 12.

As for other cuts? “Major reductions in state spending will come in long-term care services ($40 million), Disability Lifeline ($6.1 million), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for non-citizens ($7.2 million), Children’s Administration ($19.3 million) and Mental Health ($25.6 million).” There’s no word on precisely what those cuts will mean.

DSHS Secretary Susan Dreyfus said in the release that the cuts were difficult and “the rigidity of the way our budget is structured limited many of our choices,” she said, adding that this isn’t just a reduction, it’s the beginning of a reset.

For more information, visit the DSHS budget site here.

Tags: budget cuts, DSHS

Today’s Video Voters Guide Off the Set interviews are regarding Initiative 1053, which would require a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to raise taxes. Read all about the initiative here.

And watch the Video Voters Guide here.

Then, watch the interviews below with Jocelyn McCabe, who is a proponent of 1053:

And Pamela Keeley, who is against the measure:

Tags: Initiative 1053

If you didn’t watch last night’s special report from The Impact on national healthcare reform — “Shock to the System” — you really missed out.

But it’s not too late: Watch the show below, read more here and then tune in to TVW tonight at 7 p.m. for the follow-up show, where host Jessica Gao will interview lawmakers about healthcare policy. Don’t miss it!

Tags: insurance, national healthcare reform, uninsured

In response to a provision of the national health care reform law, Regence BlueShield announced it will stop selling policies for children under 19 starting on October 1. The Patient Accountability and Affordable Care Act prohibits insurers from discriminating against children based on pre-existing conditions.  That provision took effect on Thursday, September 23, along with several other new rules for insurers, including a ban on lifetime limits of coverage.

In a press release this morning, Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler criticized Regence’s decision.

“I’m appalled,” said Commissioner Kreidler. “We’ve made regulatory concessions to limit Regence’s exposure. Their overreaction will seriously harm Washington families.”

Regence is one of  the state’s largest insurers.  However, the impact of its decision is less severe here than it may be in other states.  Washington law requires insurers in the individual market to issue policies for an entire family. In some states, insurers can choose to issue separate policies for each member of the family.  Regence has about 2,500 child-only policies, and those will remain in tact.

“So far, no other health carrier in Washington state has signaled its intent to leave this market,” added Kreidler. “I hope we can expect better from them.”

This decision does not affect small/large group markets, where employers buy their insurance plans.

To learn more about the health care reform law and its impact here in Washington, check out The Impact Special Report – Shock to the System: How national reform is changing your health care. It airs tonight on TVW at 7 & 10 pm.  You can also find it online on our new website shocktothesystem.org.

Tuesday night at 7 p.m., “Shock to the System: How National Reform is Changing Your Health Care” will debut on TVW. Jessica Gao, host of The Impact, has spent the summer interviewing dozens of people for the one-hour documentary.

Below, watch a short promo for the documentary. Then, don’t forget to tune in tomorrow.

Find out more tomorrow at 7 p.m.

Tags: Shock to the System, The Impact

Initiative 1105 is the second liquor privatization effort that voters will face on the November ballot. What would it do? “Close all state liquor stores and license private parties to sell or distribute spirits,” according to the ballot description.

But there’s much more to both 1105 and 1100. Voters will need to decide whether to vote for 1100, 1105, neither — or both.

To that end, here’s the initiative text. Here are Kelly Fox and Charla Neuman’s Video Voters’ Guide statements. And here’s the post about the other liquor privatization initiative — I-1100.

First up, Charla Neuman, initiative sponsor:

Next up, Kelly Fox, who is opposed to Initiative 1105:

Tags: liquor privatization, off the set

Watch the annual Association of Washington Business policy summit live on the web here. TVW’s own Jessica Gao is moderating the panel.

So far, Rep. Gary Alexander has said he thinks budget writers should have been brought back to Olympia to decide budget cuts, rather than the across-the-board cuts Gov. Chris Gregoire implemented.

“If you look historically, we knew there was going to be a downturn in the economy,” Alexander said. “We could have started planning.”

Rep. Ross Hunter said he agrees that the “Rainy Day fund” was not large enough. But, he said, the legislature spent based on forecasts — forecasts that were approved unanimously every quarter.

When asked how they would structure government if they were starting from scratch, Alexander said he’d like to reduce the number of people who need — or feel they need — state services. Hunter said he would reduce natural resources agencies into one and streamline other areas of government as well.

Neither Alexander nor Hunter were willing to predict what the House and Senate will look like — in terms of the number of Republicans and Democrats — for the 2011 legislative session. Alexander said he predicts a jump in Republican members in the House, but didn’t give specifics. “I’m very encouraged,” he said, but “the numbers will be a lot closer than they are now and that’s healthier.”

Tags: Budget, cuts, lawmakers, policy summit

Initiative 1098 is the latest in the spotlight in the Video Voters’ Guide Off the Set interviews.

Here, Bill Gates, Sr. and Matt McIlwain talk about Initiative 1098 — which would create a high earners income tax in the state.

Here‘s the full text of the bill, here‘s where you can look up the financial impact, and here’s the complete Video Voters’ Guide at TVW. Without further delay, here are the Video Voters’ Guide statements for 1098:

And here’s Bill Gates, Sr., who supports 1098, in his Off the Set interview:

Here’s Matt McIlwain, who opposes 1098, in his interview:

Here’s former governor and current Commerce Secretary Gary Locke’s speech to the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce last week:

It will also be playing on TVW this week.

Tags: commerce, Gary Locke

Today at noon, former governor — and current Secretary of Commerce — Gary Locke will deliver the keynote address to the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce’s 128th annual meeting.

Locke will discuss the Obama administration’s job creation plan and the importance of promoting trade, environmental stewardship and entrepreneurship.

If you can’t make it to the meeting, don’t worry: TVW will be there and we’ll play it on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Tags: Gary Locke