|
Hearing scheduled on
Armstrong bill to eliminate DSHS
Measure
would replace super agency with four smaller departments
The House State Government
and Tribal Affairs Committee will take testimony Friday on a bill
offered by
Rep. Mike
Armstrong that would eliminate the Department of Social and
Health Services (DSHS) and move its duties into four smaller, more
manageable departments.
Under
House Bill 2197, DSHS would be eliminated by July 1, 2011, and its
powers, duties and functions would be transferred to the Department of
Economic Services, Department of Medical Assistance, Department of
Health and Rehabilitative Services, and the Department of Children's
Services.
"This is a bill that has
bipartisan support with 17 Republican and 16 Democrat co-sponsors.
That's one-third of the House," said Armstrong. "Since introducing the
measure last week, my office has received calls and e-mails from people
all over the state also lending their support, including front-line
workers at the Department of Social and Health Services. They realize
DSHS has grown too large and unwieldy. It's just too big to adequately
serve the needs of the public. By reorganizing DSHS into smaller
departments, it would make government more responsive to the citizens it
serves."
Armstrong, ranking
Republican on the
State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee, said the
measure would also provide a cost savings as lawmakers seek to close a
$7 billion budget deficit.
"More than 34 percent of
the operating budget is directed to the administration of DSHS.
That's a tremendous amount of money. It's time the state becomes more
efficient with taxpayers' dollars and in delivery of services," said
Armstrong. "This bill would accomplish that goal."
The hearing will be held
Friday, Feb. 20, 1:30 p.m., in House Hearing Room D of the John L.
O'Brien Building, Olympia.
# # #
For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Senior Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
|