Washington Poison Center bemoans state budget cuts - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):

http://www.businfo-online.com/accounting/sales.html
That’s part of the poison center’s solution in dealing with a $750,000o annual cut in state funding for the which now has an annuakl budget ofabout $2.5 million. Officials at the Seattle-basefd nonprofit said people who call the center this summe r will noticeother changes, including longer wait times while on calls being answered electronically, and “a substantial decrease” in poison prevention education. Stafdf cutbacks are also part ofthe center’s “We’re reducing our staffing.
We’ve laid off two people and we’lol lay off two said Jim Williams, executive director of the WashingtonPoisoj Center, adding that 16 staffers will remain after the cuts. The biggest change, Williame said, will be the $30 fee for takinhg calls about pets. Last year, the center received about 10,00o calls from pet owners askingfor help. “jI have no idea how many people willpay $30,” in the futurd for pet-related poison questions, he Calls about humans and poisonous substances will stillo be handled free of charge.