Layoffs loom over state’s largest agency
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November 27, 2008 - 03:26 PM
Last Updated: November 27, 2008 - 03:28 PM

OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire’s plan to reduce the state’s current budget by nearly $600 million to avoid a deficit include cuts at the state’s largest agency, and officials there say job cuts are likely.

The Olympian reports that the state Department of Social and Health Services will likely lay off part of its 20,000-employee work force, as $180 million is cut from its budget.

Declining state revenues have slashed the current budget by about $500 million. The current budget expires in June of 2009.

DSHS spokesman Thomas Shapley says that with such a big cut in funding, staff reductions are unavoidable.

However, Shapley says the number of people that could get laid off or programs cut has not been determined.

Gregoire and state lawmakers are staring at a budget deficit of nearly $6 billion for the next two-year budget as the legislative session starts in January.

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