Feb. 18, 2009

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.

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For more information, contact: John Sattgast, Senior Information Officer: (360) 786-7257