Late last night, the House approved it's supplemental operating budget on a vote of 55-43.  After several hours of debate on numerous amendments, the one amendment that is most important to us is the insurance amendment offered by Representative Mark Ericks.  As you know, there is a looming $200 million shortfall in the state employee insurance fund that needs to be filled.  The House is appropriating $134 million to help fill the hole.  This is significantly higher than the amount appropriated by the Senate ($22 million). 

Return to Negotiation Table
In exchange for that higher funded amount, the House is requesting that unions return to the negotiating table to renegotiate the level of premium share that employees' will pay. 

$90 Million Reserve Fund
Lastly, the amendment requires the PEBB to ensure that they have $90 million in reserves to avoid financial concerns raised by the State insurance commissioner.  This will require an adjustment of employee co-pays and plan benefits in order to maintain the reserves.