OLYMPIA — As more cases of coronavirus are being confirmed in Washington state, including the nation’s first known fatalities, the Washington State Senate today approved a $100 million funding package to ensure a comprehensive response from state and local public health organizations.
“The safety and health of our neighbors is paramount, and it’s important we give our state and local health departments the support they need to respond to this outbreak,” said Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, (D-Spokane). “We have excellent public health systems in our state, and I’m pleased we have found a bipartisan path forward to help address this crisis.”
“It’s important to the people of Washington that we get ahead of the curve on this, and stay ahead of the curve,” said Republican Leader Sen. Mark Schoesler (R-Ritzville). “This is a lot of money, but no one knows the full scope of this situation. The cost to our state will be much higher if we don’t manage this well.”
House Bill 2965 passed the Senate unanimously and will now head back to the House of Representatives for a final vote before Gov. Inslee can sign it into law.
The Senate amended the legislation to ensure Washingtonians can access unemployment benefits without meeting the work search requirement if they are under quarantine or isolation during the outbreak.
The conditions provided by this amendment expires June 30, 2021.
