Rep. Kagi points to problems with Senate budget

By Evan Smith

In a recent report to constituents from Democratic State Rep. Ruth Kagi, she said that House budget writers had been able to save a program to allow low-income families to get subsidized child-care so they can remain employed or further their education.

Since then, the Senate passed a budget when three Democrats joined minority Republicans to approve the budget.

Kagi noted that the Senate budget takes more than $200 million out of the temporary-aid-for-needy-families program, something that she said would have severe impact on poor families.

“Last session we reduced TANF by over $400 million to address the budget deficit,” she said. “If we take the Senate's reduction, we will be taking away child care for thousands of low income families who are working to support their families, and cutting families off of TANF a year earlier.”

She said that people all over the State see the consequences of the cuts the legislature had already made.

“In the House we maintain the frayed safety net,” Kagi said. “The Senate budget eliminates many pieces of the net.”

Kagi is a a member of the House ways and means committee and the House committee on health and human services appropriations and oversight, in addition to being chairwoman of the House committee on early learning and human services.

She represents the 32nd Legislative District, which now includes Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Woodway, south Edmonds, nearby unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County and part of Kirkland. With redistricting, the district will no longer include Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and Kirkland, and will add Lynnwood and part of northwest Seattle.