Selah School Off Chopping Block Saved From Closure

State lawmakers have completed work on legislation that will protect the Yakima Valley School from closure. The facility was in the crosshairs of possible spending cuts this year as legislative budget writers faced a more than $5 billion shortfall. Senate bill 5459 won final approval Wednesday as the legislature worked toward the end of its 30-day special session. The bill requires the Department of Social and Health Services -- which operates the school -- to allow its current 87 residents to live at the Selah facility for the rest of their lives. Ross says the measure ensures the school will continue serving its severely disabled residents, and the families of Eastern washington.