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Armstrong measure seeks to eliminate DSHS
Super agency would be broken into smaller, more
responsive departments
The state Department of
Social and Health Services (DSHS) would be abolished and new, smaller
departments would be created to take over its functions under a bill
introduced today in the Washington House of Representatives by
Rep. Mike
Armstrong.
The measure was
co-sponsored by nearly 30 House members, Republican and Democrat.
Armstrong said the public
is frustrated with a costly, broken-down system that has become so large
it can no longer function effectively.
"The department has become
too large and unwieldy, and it's just not adequately serving the
public's needs," said Armstrong, R-Wenatchee. "The problem is that the
state has tried to put too many governmental functions into one super
agency, and it has not worked. It's difficult to administer, costly, and
it's very hard to measure whether the agency is actually meeting its
goals and responsibilities. It's time that we reorganize this agency into smaller departments which would better
serve our citizens."
Under
House Bill 2197, DSHS would be eliminated by July 1, 2011, and its powers, duties and
functions would be transferred to four new smaller agencies, including
the Department of Economic Services, Department of Medical Assistance,
Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, and the Department of
Children's Services.
"More than 34 percent
of the state's operating budget is directed to the administration of
DSHS. That's a tremendous amount of
money. At a time when we're looking to close a state budget gap of
nearly seven billion dollars, we should strip away these different
layers of bureaucracy, and at the same time, become more efficient in
delivery of services," said Armstrong, ranking Republican on the
House State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee. "This measure
would help the state to focus on critical functions, reduce the red tape involved in working with DSHS, and provide
for more efficiency in government."
Although Armstrong
acknowledged similar proposals in past years have fallen short in the
Legislature, he says this year the measure has strong bipartisan
support.
"This idea of putting
everything under one roof is not working. That's why Republicans and
Democrats are seeking change. People want government to stretch tax
dollars during this tight economy. Businesses are downsizing. Citizens
expect government to do the same," said Armstrong. "DSHS is a prime
example of a department that has grown so large it cannot adequately
serve the public. This legislation would help to restore efficiency,
reduce costs, and provide better service to the public."
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For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Senior Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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