State Democrats trying to keep Yakima Valley School open

Gov. Chris Gregoire's own party is telling her she's got a bad idea when it comes to the Yakima Valley School.

The state Democratic Party's Central Committee, which oversees the organization's state-level business and legislative priorities, unanimously passed a resolution Saturday opposing closure of the Selah-based institution for the developmentally disabled.

Gregoire last month suggested the cut as one of many across state government to balance the state budget. Washington's deficit could reach an estimated
$6 billion over the next three years.

Although the resolution is symbolic, it sends a signal to the governor's office that neither the Democrats nor the Republicans would look kindly on closure of the school, which serves 88 of the state's most profoundly disabled residents.

The state GOP's central committee, which also met this weekend, did not consider a similar resolution, but Central Washington's all-Republican delegation has already voiced strong opposition to the proposal.

Mary Stephenson, chairwoman for the Yakima County Democrats, said it was rare for the central committee to consider such a resolution on a budget issue.

Stephenson, who announced the resolution's passage on Sunday, said she hopes the Legislature will listen to the pleas from leaders of both parties.

"We're just trying to use all the political power we can to keep (the school) in the budget," Stephenson said.

A Gregoire spokesman did not return a phone message seeking reaction to the resolution.

Freshman Rep. Norm Johnson, R-Yakima, serves on his chamber's Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee, which is expected to be involved in budget talks that would consider the fate of the Yakima Valley School.

"Oh, great," he said when told Sunday about the Democratic resolution.

Gregoire's proposal for the school would move the residents into community settings such as group homes or apartments by 2011.

Her figures suggest the move would save the state nearly $18 million a year.

A community bed costs about $126,000, according to a recent report to the Legislature, while care per patient totals nearly $173,000 at the school.

But critics of the possible closure say the residents need the intense care provided at the school. They say the projected savings would be marginal, especially once the state subsidizes relocation.

Community-living advocates counter that they can provide quality care for less money, in part because of lower wages for their employees.

* Mark Morey can be reached at 577-7671 or mmorey@yakimaherald.com.