Hearings were held the first two days of the session on the supplemental budget for 2017-18.  Greg Link, director of the Washington Appellate Project and WDA/WACDL’s lobbyist, Bob Cooper, testified in favor of the Washington State Office of Public Defense’s budget request which includes “cost of doing business” increases for appellate and parents’ representation attorneys.

It would be helpful for WDA and WACDL members to contact key legislators involved in the budget negotiations now as an agreement on the capital budget has just been reached and the negotiators will be turning their attention next to the supplemental budget.

A simple message to support the State Office of Public Defense’s budget request and comments on how the significant underpayment for these services is a threat to quality representation statewide and retention of experienced lawyers is a great start.  Any personal experiences or additional information you could provide about the negative impact of insufficient funding would be compelling.  If any of the legislators are in your county or district, please highlight that, and the fact that appellate and parents’ representation affects cases at the local level in every county.

Key legislators:

Sen. Christine Rolfes (Kitsap): Christine.Rolfes@leg.wa.gov

Sen. David Frockt (Kenmore): David.Frockt@leg.wa.gov

Sen. Sam Hunt (Olympia): sam.hunt@leg.wa.gov

Senator Andy Billig (Spokane): andy.billig@leg.wa.gov

Sen. Sharon Nelson (Maury Island): sharon.nelson@leg.wa.gov

Sen. Jamie Pedersen (Seattle): jamie.pedersen@leg.wa.gov

Sen. Manka Dhingra (Redmond): manka.dhingra@leg.wa.gov

Rep. Timm Ormsby (Spokane): Timm.Ormsby@leg.wa.gov

Rep. Laurie Jinkins (Tacoma): Laurie.Jinkins@leg.wa.gov

Please let Christie Hedman know if you have any questions at 206-623-4321 or hedman@defensenet.org.  Thanks for your support!