Oregon Public Broadcasting

Washington state’s yawning budget gap just took another $175 million hit. This time it’s not because of lost tax revenue. Instead demand for state services is on the rise as the economy declines. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins reports.

The new caseload forecast confirms what lawmakers feared. K-12 enrollment is up as parents move their kids from private to public schools.

As the economy sheds jobs, more people are applying for cash assistance. Applications for state-funded health programs are also on the rise.

Stan Marshburn is interim Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services. He says his offices are busy places these days.

Stan Marshburn: “The demand for services is growing. Places where we see it – food stamps, health with the cost of healthcare. People are reaching out and saying we need help. And the foot traffic has increased significantly.”

Lawmakers will have to write the additional $175 million in caseloads into a budget that aims to close a projected $8 billion shortfall.