The state of Washington, City of Seattle, and more than 30 other employers will receive federal funds to help provide healthcare options for retired workers not yet eligible for Medicare.

What’s that mean for the state? About $60 million in savings over two years, according to the Health Care Authority.

From Healthcare.gov: “Businesses, other employers, and unions that are accepted into the program will receive reimbursement for medical claims for early retirees and their spouses, surviving spouses, and dependents. Savings can be used to reduce employer health care costs, provide premium relief to workers and families, or both. Applicants who are approved into the program receive reinsurance for the claims of high-cost retirees and their families (80 percent of the costs from $15,000 to $90,000).”

The program will end in 2014, when state health insurance exchanges are created through the federal healthcare reform.

Tags: healthcare reform

I’m at the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce meeting, listening to Reps. Hans Dunshee and Gary Alexander debate Referendum 52, which would weatherize schools and use a bottled water tax to service the bond debt.

Rep. Larry Seaquist is in the audience, and asked why the referendum is important — and worth a tax increase.

“Dan Evans went out to the people in ‘72 with what would be the equivalent of $2 billion today to stimulate jobs,” he said. “I think that every kid in the school, in the state, ought to have a healthy building …. I think that’s our paramount duty,” he said. “There’s nothing in this room that if we increased (the cost) by 1.5 percent, you would be able to tell the difference.”

Rep. Alexander: “In the same four years, the previous four years, the capitol budget grew by almost 43 percent,” he said. “Now, all the sudden, when we hit the debt service limit we have to look at other types of debt service” opportunities. Alexander said he’s against R52 not because he doesn’t want healthy schools, but because he does want fiscal responsibility.

Another guest asked why not take a bit of lottery money to pay for the improvements. Alexander said the lottery brings in about $150 million a year, and some of that easily could have been diverted. Dunshee said that’s a policy call, “you can stop construction to do this,” he said, which would pit maintenance against construction.

Another asked how the increased debt would affect the state’s bond rating. Dunshee said that the state treasurer said this debt would not affect the bond rating, and that Washington is already in a better position than many states. “This recession is the biggest thing that any of us have ever seen in our lives,” he said. “We are cutting,” he said, but this is a good investment.

Alexander, however, said the state treasurer also has told the Legislature that they may not have enough in the bank to pay bills. “I am concerned about the bond rating.” “We are at our constitutional debt limit,” he said — 9 percent. “Our debt service costs are somewhere in the top third” of other states, he said.

Now, time for closing statements.

Alexander said it’s been a good debate. “I just want to sum up by saying it’s always enjoyable to discuss issues with my comrade over here,” he said, referring to Rep. Dunshee. “I just believe that at this point in time, Ref 52 is not in taxpayers’ best interests,” he said. He also said there are many important issues on the ballot this year and encouraged voters to learn about them all.

Dunshee: “We may disagree, but it’s how you disagree that matters in Democracy,” he said, of the debate. He said this referendum would save money, “I would offer to you to go to the web site — healthyschoolsforwa.org — you can see examples, you can see testimonials, you can see financing,” he said.

Tags: Referendum 52, taxes

With about 100 days until the Nov. 2 general election, the time is right to start studying the nine initiatives, referenda and resolutions that will appear on your ballot.

TVW will be playing Video Voter Guide statements for each of the ballot measures. And I’ll post exclusive Off the Set interviews with supporters and opponents.

In the meantime, check out the Secretary of State’s handy web site, which gives you the full text, financial impacts, explanatory statements and pro/con statements. All on one page! Find it all here.

Tags: elections, initiatives

The primaries are over. (That means we have a mere  106 days until the general election.)

Here’s a bit of analysis about what last night meant. Not happy with that? Here’s some more analysis.

And here’s all the data available. Enjoy!

Tags: elections, general, primary

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray has 44.1 percent of the vote and Dino Rossi has 37.9 percent as of right now in the first run of vote tallies.

Go look. And watch TVW – results are streaming at the bottom of the screen.

Tags: primary, results

Tune into TVW now for Cathy Allen and Chris Vance — the Democratic and Republican consultants who are doing live primary night analysis on TVW with Jessica Gao.

Allen says she looks for U.S. Sen. Patty Murray to get about 45 percent of the vote and challenger Dino Rossi to get about 30 percent.

Vance says not so: If she doesn’t get a significant chunk of the vote, she’s in trouble.

Tune in now for more analysis.

Tags: analysis, primary, results

We have just minutes to go until voting in the primary ends — and the TVW live primary night show begins. Here’s a look at our studio:

Don’t forget: You need to vote by 8 p.m. for it to count in tonight’s primary election.

Also don’t forget: We’ll be live on TVW at 8 p.m. with results, analysis and interviews. Tune in and read the blog for updates.

Tags: elections, primary

Just a reminder: Now’s the time to vote if you haven’t already. Your ballot needs to be postmarked or in an official drop box by 8 p.m. or it won’t be counted.

Once you’ve turned in your ballot, tune in to TVW. We’ll have live coverage starting at 8 p.m. including interviews, analysis and results. Don’t miss it.

Tags: elections, primary

Job growth is “wobbly,” but the unemployment rate for Washington is below 9 percent for July, according to Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee.

July’s employment rate — 8.9 percent — represents the fourth month of decreases in unemployment. June’s unemployment rate was initially reported at 8.9 percent, but was then adjusted to 9 percent.

The state still has 14,500 fewer jobs than July of last year and more than 300,000 people unemployed. About 239,000 of those received unemployment benefits in July.

Tags: unemployment