Late on June 30, the legislature avoided a partial government shutdown by passing, and Gov. Inslee signing, an operating budget. The budget appropriates $43.7 billion over the next biennium.
In relation to WSBA’s legislative priorities and interests:
Civil Legal Aid: The budget appropriates $32.808 million to the Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) during FY18-FY19. This provides OCLA with a $5.817 million increase in appropriations from the previous (FY16-FY17) biennium. $3.675 million of the $32.808 million is provided solely for OCLA to partially implement the Civil Justice Reinvestment Plan.
Public Defense: The budget appropriates $87.807 million to the Office of Public Defense (OPD) during FY18-FY19. This provides OPD with a $9.699 million increase in appropriations from the previous (FY16-FY17) biennium.
A capital budget has yet to be passed as the third special legislative session continues. The third special session is scheduled to conclude on July 20, 2017.
Clark McIsaac. Clark is the WSBA’s Outreach & Legislative Affairs Coordinator. He began his employment at the WSBA as a legislative assistant in the summer of 2016, after moving from California. His career is built on years of campaign, governmental, and community relations experience. He earned his B.A. in politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He can be reached at clarkm@wsba.org.
