The Washington state Senate’s supplemental operating draft proposal released Monday includes funding for a “legislative-led audit” into the executive branch’s juvenile detention efforts.
In a news release, Senate Republicans say the proposal comes “in light of mismanagement concerns at Green Hill School in Lewis County and Echo Glen Children’s Center in King County.”
In recent years, both facilities have drawn scrutiny from local officials and legislators, in part due to the state’s JR to 25 program, which allows those sentenced in adult court for crimes committed under the age of 18 to serve time in juvenile rehabilitation facilities until they are 25.
According to previous reporting by The Chronicle, eight cases stemming from a Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team raid of Green Hill in August have since been charged in Lewis County Superior Court. Four contraband-related incidents at Green Hill School that occurred after an Aug. 31 raid of the facility have also had hearings in Lewis County Superior Court, according to previous reporting by The Chronicle.
Senate Republican budget leader Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, said in a statement Monday that the Senate's proposal addresses both public safety priorities and maintains the state’s essential services.
“For one reason or another, the past few supplemental budgets strayed from what should happen in year two of a two-year spending plan. This proposal is much more of a back-to-basics approach, and as I hoped, it lives within the means provided by the taxpayers. That’s important seeing how families across Washington are making difficult spending choices to live within their means,” Wilson said.
According to Wilson, the $71.6 billion proposal would leave more than $4 billion in reserves and address the rise in drug overdose deaths.
“I also appreciate the bipartisan support for addressing what Republicans see as situations that can’t wait for a full budget rewrite next year, starting with public safety,” Wilson said. “This proposal will help make Washington safer.”
The proposal includes $4 million for anti-drug task forces, increases access to public defenders, increases penalties for property crimes, and addresses a rise in cannabis retail theft.
The budget includes funding for Senate Bill 5906, which would launch a public awareness campaign on the dangers of methamphetamine and opioids. The campaign would also provide information on addiction, treatment programs and state laws that offer immunity to those who seek assistance in overdose cases.
The proposal also supports the creation of a Tribal Opioid Prevention and Treatment Account. The account would be funded through money from a national opioid settlement. Tribes would receive approximately 20% of the money the state will receive over the next 17 years.
The budget includes $250 million in additional funds for behavioral health access.
“Access to treatment is a critical part of the fight against fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. All of our efforts need to move forward this year,” Wilson said.
