Can budget savings be found in changes to sick leave cash out?

With Washington facing a short term $2.6 billion budget deficit, all savings opportunities should be on the table. One possibility is to change the practice of allowing state employees to carry forward and cash out unused sick leave. According to the state's budget transparency website, Washington paid out $65.3 million in unused sick leave during the 2007-09 biennium. The state has already paid out $13 million since the 2009-11 budget started in July . . . READ MORE