The Washington State Office of Financial Management has released a list of government agencies, programs and services that will be shutdown or restricted should state lawmakers fail to enact a new budget by July 1, in time for the start of the new fiscal year.
Legislative leaders in Olympia continue negotiations to reach a deal on a new spending plan before the deadline hits. Read more reporting about this from our partners at The Daily Herald in Everett.
A few notable items on the list, and some that could have local economic and business impacts, include:
– Agriculture: Suspension of international marketing, food assistance program, natural resource assessment, pesticide waste disposal, agricultural promotion and protection, and plant protection.
– Community & Technical Colleges: Lack of availability of Opportunity Grants for students. Capital projects will need to be suspended or cancelled in absence of capital budget.
– Employment Security: Suspension of WorkSource offices.
– Fish & Wildlife: Suspension of fish and wildlife enforcement activities, most hatcheries operations, and certain sport and commercial fisheries.
– Labor & Industries: Automatic payments under worker compensation program would continue. New applications for benefits will not be processed.
– Complete shutdowns of the state’s Liquor Control Board, Lottery and Public Disclosure Commission.
– Western Washington University: Lack of availability of State Need Grant for fall students. Capital projects will need to be suspended or cancelled in absence of capital budget.
– Complete shutdown of the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.
Evan Marczynski, staff reporter for The Bellingham Business Journal, can be reached at 360-647-8805, Ext. 5052, or evan@bbjtoday.com.
