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WASHINGTON <br />STATE ASSOCIATION <br />o/ COUNTIES <br />Counties are responsible for providing essential services to every resident in the State of Washington. Yet, in a time of economic <br />prosperity and population growth, counties are faced with budget shortfalls that are leaving critical investments in criminal <br />justice, public health, and infrastructure at risk. Enacting the Washington State Association of Counties'2020 legislative priorities <br />will provide needed relief to county budgets and invest in the services counties provide to all Washingtonians. <br />"Given the existing low level of state <br />funding and the increased costs identified <br />to date, the State should increase the <br />funding levels to cities and counties for <br />public defense." <br />Funding for Trial <br />Court Public <br />Defense <br />Access to a defense attorney in criminal <br />matters is a fundamental constitutional right <br />that the Legislature passed on to counties. <br />Yet, the state funds less than 4% of the cost <br />for these services. Counties currently spend <br />approximately $156 million annually with the <br />state providing only $6 million. <br />For equal access to justice, the <br />Legislature must fund the full cost of <br />trial court public defense services. <br />��. Fish Passage <br />Barrier Removal <br />Counties support legislation that will <br />provide adequate funding to remove fish <br />barriers for all jurisdictions across the <br />state, including a long-term commitment <br />to remove priority fish barriers - not just <br />respond to the state's obligations under the <br />culverts decision. <br />The Legislature must provide funding <br />to remove fish barriers at the state <br />and local level as well as the necessary <br />tools to meet the 2030 mandate. <br />Behavioral Health <br />Washington State is changing how it pays for delivery <br />of physical health services, mental health services and <br />substance use disorder services, choosing to treat the <br />whole person - mind and body - to more effectively <br />achieve better health outcomes and lower costs. While <br />the Legislature has taken significant steps to strengthen <br />and improve the current behavioral health system, <br />counties, as partners in delivery of these services, <br />continue to be concerned about gaps in services and <br />adequate funding to support county responsibilities. As <br />the state proceeds with behavioral health integration, <br />the Legislature must fund a complete behavioral health <br />system and ensure that counties receive the funds <br />necessary to provide quality care.,3_ — <br />Ensure Washington State provides an adequately <br />funded comprehensive behavioral health system. <br />Oppose New <br />Unfunded Mandates <br />The Legislature has continued to shift costs through <br />policy changes without addressing the underlying <br />funding problems that face county budgets. <br />Counties have been diverting funds from road <br />maintenance, reducing investments in infrastructure, <br />and leaving critical public safety positions unfilled to <br />meet the obligations the state keeps piling on. <br />Counties believe that the legislature must comply <br />with state law (RCW 43.135.060) that PROHIBITS <br />the passage of any new programs or increasing <br />services levels to existing programs unless "fully <br />reimbursed by the state for the costs". <br />Counties oppose any legislation that will <br />increase costs for local government without <br />funding provided by the state. <br />