Will Washington State Break Up DSHS?

The State Legislature is in session, and I've been following several bills, including one to extend domestic violence protection to domestic animals (hooray!) and one to decriminalize (but not legalize) possession of small amounts of marijuana.

One bill isn't getting a lot of headlines but could be a very big deal. House Bill 2197 would split the State's largest agency into four smaller departments.

The proposed bill recites that Department of Social and Health Services ("DSHS") consumes "34% of [the state's] total operating budget" and that DSHS is so large that it is "difficult to administer" and inefficient. I know reading proposed legislation is not high on most people's lists but you really should check out this one for yourself. Read it here.

Would splitting up DSHS help save Washington from its projected six billion dollar budget shortfall? Would this really help children and vulnerable adults? I honestly have no idea.

I'm not getting much insight from the media either, except to learn that Representative Mike Armstrong (R-Wenatchee) sponsored the bill, Governor Gregoire (D) doesn't like it, but several Democrats have co-sponsored it as well. See The Olympian (2/21/09) and The Seattle Times (2/12/09).

Keep your eye on this bill. It may be flying under the radar, but it has made it out of committee.

I work with DSHS's current subdivisions of Department of Child and Family Services and Adult Protective Services, so I am particularly interested. And I'll keep searching the media for some informed opinions.