[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6348215,"mediaKeyId","2243129-dbc40e6ad0ff2bb74e0cf9c691c3cc30","parentId",2243129,"title","Bill would fund WSIPP study on statewide electronic access to peer‑reviewed journals with $83,000 appropriation","audioSeconds",112,"startMs",1308000,"endMs",1420000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243129-dbc40e6ad0ff2bb74e0cf9c691c3cc30&start=1308&end=1420","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243129-dbc40e6ad0ff2bb74e0cf9c691c3cc30/thumbnail_1308000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6348215/Washington/Bill-would-fund-WSIPP-study-on-statewide-electronic-access-to-peerreviewed-journals-with-83000-appropriation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348215-6bfec10f13f9bae62a0e3b8ee579e249/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140139&Signature=ejijTmD3gV~YNCqJUclkOB5T5be0sX~RtYraE38koj64rgvPfMbSmw0Ka244mNxUpUTxWBIt~xLGYSKuKiZb3KmkkleVej9rVQxz1iYtMV8-fiHFdi5cke5LrbWiiyHTO8oXF-mIF4xPBVS8KCjLwYNbmigqR2hlh5vuRfPyvGwGs4naiWR7UGiTFQXY4IkbPZaqTleA~cKthlsyUpxepYd~hvJ5Qlb8h0JgFmhM6v51eL0YJcCRsiYbWuWu815OUJlycxW9DI0ybMLMlg7yupBsw78FpoOgPZfvSAY1TS2MuPfebGEZ1-i~RYqxboq7JgpS1YHX9NQp~KdsZw9EnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Appropriations","date","2025-02-06T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 1606 would direct the Washington State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) to study structure, funding and policy options for providing state employees with electronic access to peer‑reviewed academic journals. The committee heard a staff briefing and one in‑person testifier supporting the study.

Kate Henry, staff to the committee, explained that peer‑reviewed articles are often behind paywalls and that WSIPP, which is housed at The Evergreen State College and provides nonpartisan research to the Legislature, is charged to complete the study by Dec. 1, 2026. The bill includes an appropriation for $83,000 in the 2027 fiscal year to cover costs identified in the fiscal note from Evergreen and WSIPP.

\"Access to peer reviewed articles often require a subscription or paying per article,\" Henry said in the briefing, describing the research need and the appropriations item. The bill’s fiscal note aligns with an $83,000 funding request from WSIPP and Evergreen.

Carrie Anne Yetzer, coordinator for the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, testified in support of the bill. Yetzer said the commission relied on paid journal access during a 2018 review of the Sentencing Reform Act and that limitations on access hamper research and policymaking. \"Access to such journals and articles is imperative so commission members can learn what the current research says and what other states are doing,\" Yetzer told the committee.

The committee asked no questions after the briefing, and the public hearing concluded with no further testimony.

Ending: With the committee adjourned, the item will proceed through the committee process; the study deadline and appropriation give staff and agencies a timeline for next steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Appropriations - 2/6/2025 4:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 1606 directs the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to study mechanisms for giving state agencies electronic access to peer‑reviewed journals. The bill includes an $83,000 appropriation and sets a December 1, 2026 completion date for the study; the Sentencing Guidelines Commission testified in support.","taxTitle","Appropriations, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20254,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348220,"Staff briefing: bill would delay ECAP entitlement, push back Working Connections income expansions; staff cites $734 million near‑term savings",274,769000,1043000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243129-dbc40e6ad0ff2bb74e0cf9c691c3cc30&start=769&end=1043","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243129-dbc40e6ad0ff2bb74e0cf9c691c3cc30/thumbnail_769000.jpg","/articles/6348220/Washington/Staff-briefing-bill-would-delay-ECAP-entitlement-push-back-Working-Connections-income-expansions-staff-cites-734-million-nearterm-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348220-d15727f9afc344aa6eaa9a098283ea91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140139&Signature=U~qtA8j4seET0PfEZhKFvqQ8sfY1mKI8XMcUxnmz3Dtz6Jh7Q4c2juy8xY4~K3VK71NfqGmOwD84w3mlNOAWMsNLcuFOQ4CkkDizPMEX~bP-HJqVl3elb36fqa0i8Wey0YKDlE6uVjIcTqDLgYRqb3jkT7aq3sWojCqt8Q4o9CHmZzEpTfsbvnAeexvhDzuRxFPCPgIM3M2ECTijeZIeGTiElnn4RdvyNV~jKzEkXseNeC~0LKt7HU0b4oUmd97s9cr-HzAPkoy63nnYJGcmkF9yBAXXGOiIQ9zcqr5Fuvaw7sUJG3DCqQ53pIAhrxNfELikqWdKOnfJefETsOHeHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A House Appropriations Committee staff briefing on House Bill 1489 outlined proposed delays to the implementation schedule for ECAP entitlement and Working Connections income eligibility expansions and presented estimated fiscal impacts.

Durham Clark, staff to the committee, told members that under current law ECAP entitlement would begin in the 2026–27 school year and expand to include families at or below 50% of state median income (SMI) in 2030–31. House Bill 1489 would delay the ECAP entitlement from the 2026–27 school year to the 2030–31 school year; it would also delay phased increases to Working Connections income eligibility.

Clark summarized the governor's maintenance‑level budget numbers included in the briefing: the Inslee proposal included roughly $438,000,000 in state general fund over four years for additional ECAP school‑day slots and about $296,000,000 over four years to cover the Working Connections expansion to 75% SMI. Clark said delaying the ECAP entitlement and the Working Connections expansions would produce an estimated $734,000,000 in savings over the four‑year outlook compared with the governor's maintenance‑level proposal.

\"Delaying the ECAP entitlement date would result in savings until fiscal year 2031 when ECAP would become an entitlement for families under 50% SMI,\" Clark said in the staff briefing. She noted cost estimates were based on the November caseload forecast and would be updated with the February forecast.

Testimony from early learning advocates acknowledged the budget pressures but urged lawmakers to plan for workforce and provider capacity ahead of the later entitlement date. Melissa Johnson of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECAP said state programs \"must pay our preschool teachers a livable wage\" and asked the committee to invest over the next five years so the state can meet the later entitlement date.

Emily Murphy of Childcare Aware of Washington, testifying on behalf of childcare advocates, said she appreciated the long‑term commitment to early learning but urged the committee to \"ensure provider rates are maintained at the 80 fifth percentile of market rate per statute so this essential workforce can stay open and serve families.\" Murphy and other advocates also asked that the current copay structure remain intact.

Sherry Sawyer of the Office of Financial Management, who previously spoke in support of the pension bill, also appeared in support of HB 1489 during the ECAP briefing and framed the delay as a response to fiscal realities: \"This is tough times. You all are gonna grapple with difficult decisions, and this is one more option for you all to consider,\" she told the committee.

The briefing closed with no committee questions; the public hearing followed and concluded after in‑person testimony from advocates.","A staff briefing on House Bill 1489 explained adjustments to the schedule for entitling Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECAP) slots and delaying Working Connections income eligibility expansions. OFM staff framed the bill as a fiscal response; early learning advocates urged investments in workforce and provider rates.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348225,"Committee hears support for one‑time COLA for Plan 1 retirees; advocates urge permanent restoration",674,73000,747000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243129-dbc40e6ad0ff2bb74e0cf9c691c3cc30&start=73&end=747","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243129-dbc40e6ad0ff2bb74e0cf9c691c3cc30/thumbnail_73000.jpg","/articles/6348225/Washington/Committee-hears-support-for-onetime-COLA-for-Plan-1-retirees-advocates-urge-permanent-restoration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348225-35283c8625394b247ea6a5bb1b768ac6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140139&Signature=UOg42BuvxGSz2vSdPE82vTRXuTrc2hBUVetT5Zmgthar5BhAc7Q6W1VSZjtKLo5r~j3Qm6QE1bYSPjtgXR5~p6rHd32iSrQsCDyrE0GA9KozOERYqo0SNSMBqDBTTTY2Rm-1GjIr5TPrTpiQu72~GmDi7m9LXVTP7x~~AX6Jls8uueaQybtrDNiIOf-c--fjYZg4dEX~jtXZQ1~8P7Vt8Uke6q2fjVbx15-D7PMCJbWs1nONIz~wqSVh4pP1pveD7fHDfIC8DBKnIjyCM3zR7FUsaMvPjH6fy6W~IxcJtZBEXaLAVFHafK4yVV~pwdKMfAczP~fzRDfeEFn-A4nfUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A House Appropriations Committee public hearing on House Bill 1474 focused on a proposed one‑time cost‑of‑living adjustment for Plan 1 retirees and broader calls to restore a recurring COLA.

Proponents told the committee that many Plan 1 retirees face steep increases in housing, health care and utility costs and said a one‑time COLA would provide immediate, limited relief while urging the legislature to restore a permanent, recurring COLA that was revoked in 2011.

\"I think there's quite broad understanding and and support, for ensuring that the, plan 1 retirees don't at at the very least, don't fall any further behind,\" Jared Mason Greer, representing the Washington Education Association, told the committee. The WEA and retired educators asked the panel to pursue an ongoing COLA rather than a single ad hoc payment.

Eileen Perfrimit of the Washington State School Retirees Association said House Bill 1474 would provide \"much needed short term relief\" but does not deliver the ongoing protection retirees seek. Perfrimit noted an alternate approach under Senate Bill 5085 that, she said, \"would improve upon this bill by restoring an ongoing COLA to TRS 1 and PERS 1 retirees and also saving the state $600,000,000 over the next 4 years\" by combining plans and addressing funding levels. She described that combining TRS 1 and PERS 1 with LEOFF 1 (described in testimony as roughly 49% funded) would produce larger employer savings.

Several retirees described the personal effects of inflation. Linda Nelson, a PERS 1 retiree and member of the Retired Public Employees Council of Washington, testified: \"The entire COLA received last year was spent on a hearing aid. I fear that without inflationary protection, my pension will be inadequate for me to remain in my Seattle area home.\" Nelson said the Seattle area has experienced almost 16% inflation in four years and called for reinstating a recurring COLA while supporting the one‑time payment proposed in HB 1474.

Bonita Jacques, Leanne Prelip and other members of the Retired Public Employees Council and WEA Retired told the committee that Plan 1 retirees are disproportionately female and that many have annual pensions under $25,000. Jacques said, \"Retirees like me are struggling. Ever increasing health care costs, housing, food, basic necessities have become a strain on our stagnant fixed incomes.\" Testimony described an offered benefit in HB 1474 of up to $110 per month in 2025 for eligible Plan 1 retirees.

Sherry Sawyer of the Office of Financial Management, speaking in support of the bill as an OFM request, said bringing forward a proposal that \"actually costs the state money\" was undertaken deliberately to address retirees' costs: \"We really feel like it's important to keep pace with, the cost of living and ask that you support the bill.\"

Local government representatives raised concerns about employer costs if the state does not assume them. Candace Bach, representing the Association of Washington Cities, said cities are \"very concerned about the cost of this proposal\" and warned that passing costs to city employers would mean \"less services on our streets\" and could compete with funding for public safety, parks and streets.

Supporters repeatedly asked the panel to consider alternatives that would restore a recurring COLA. Claire Olivers, president of the Retired Public Employees Council of Washington, referenced recommendations from the Select Committee on Pension Policy and other bills (policy work listed in testimony as House Bill 1292 and Senate Bill 5113) that would both provide an ad hoc COLA and reinstate a recurring COLA in 2026.

The public hearing on House Bill 1474 concluded after testimony from the listed panels; committee members asked no immediate procedural questions during the session.

Ending: With testimony concluded, the committee kept the record open to consider testimony and related pension proposals as it continues work on the state budget and pension policy.","A House Appropriations public hearing on House Bill 1474 drew retirees, unions and state budget staff to discuss a one‑time cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for Plan 1 pension beneficiaries and the push for a recurring COLA. Supporters described economic strain on Plan 1 retirees; local government representatives warned of employer cost impacts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill would fund WSIPP study on statewide electronic access to peer‑reviewed journals with $83,000 appropriation

Staff briefing: bill would delay ECAP entitlement, push back Working Connections income expansions; staff cites $734 million near‑term savings

Committee hears support for one‑time COLA for Plan 1 retirees; advocates urge permanent restoration