OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — When Gov. Chris Gregoire proposed a budget that cut many programs that help the state’s poor, she appealed to nonprofit and other groups to step in.
But many groups say they’re struggling as well, and won’t be able to completely fill the gap left by the withdrawal of state dollars to many programs.
Gregoire has suggested deep cuts in state programs to help patch a $1.1 billion deficit through June 2011 and another projected deficit of $4.6 billion through mid 2013.
The proposed cuts include the elimination of the Basic Health Program, which provides subsidized medical insurance to 66,000 poorer Washingtonians. The proposal also would eliminate the Children’s Health Program, which provides medical coverage for 27,000 children.
