The proposed closures would negatively impact those who are in most need of these services , result in increased recidivism (a 2007 study showed Washington’s reentry centers lead to at least a 2.8% reduction in recidivism), cost the state more money (research conducted by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy indicates that reentry programs have a positive cost/benefit impact; for every dollar spent, $3.82 is returned to the state.), and threaten the capacity of our community custody system when the need for more capacity is rising.
We're calling on our elected officials to ratify and fund our 2025-2027 union contracts to ensure the state can hire and retain the workforce necessary to provide the vital public services we all depend on.
As you may have heard, the governor's proposed budget includes the closure of Yakima Valley School and Rainier School. We can't lose these crucial community resources for Washingtonians who need them. Read on for actions you can take to stand with vulnerable community members and dedicated WFSE members and stop the closures.
Outsourcing transparency bill just plain good government, Senate panel told
Our priority bill to bring transparency and accountability to state outsourcing brings front-end scrutiny that may stop a bad decision before it costs taxpayers money.
That’s what 2SHB 1851 would do, the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Laurie Dolan of the 22nd Dist., told the Senate State Government Committee Monday night (Feb. 19).
Date-of-birth privacy bill about safety and security, supporters tell a House committee
The bill to keep our dates of birth private, SB 6079, is about protecting the “physical and emotional safety” of state employees, not a restriction on the news media, bill sponsor Sen. Patty Kuderer of the 48th Dist. told the House State Government Committee Tuesday morning (Feb. 20).
Senate first out of gate with supplemental budget proposal
The Senate Democratic majority on Monday (Feb. 19) released its proposed supplemental budget – the off-year budget that tweaks the major two-year operating budget adopted last year.
How one DOC member’s story moved his legislator to action
The sponsor of the good bill that already unanimously passed the House said the idea of protecting the integrity of post-incident counseling and peer support came from a new awareness brought to him by one of his constituents.
Rep. Andrew Barkis of the 2nd Dist. said John Tulloch, a Community Corrections specialist and member of Local 443, told him that the dangerous work he and his colleagues do often involves “critical incidents” that may involve use of force.
It was a late Monday and early Tuesday at the Capitol as the House passed two more of our priority bills – the part-time employees bill and the Taxpayer Protection Act.
The House Monday night (Feb. 12) passed the bill to leave no doubt and add part-time state employees to civil service.HB 2669 passed on a vote of 50-47. It now goes to the Senate.
