OT in Oly: Searching for a budget solution
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Washington lawmakers are back at it.
After a three-day pass to go home, the Legislature gathered back at the Capitol at noon Monday to kick off a new special session that can last up to 30 days.
Lawmakers' main task is to plug a $2.8 billion budget hole that developed after the 2009 Legislature adjourned last April 26. Last year, they fixed a $9 billion budget gap without needing higher general taxes, but this year, the majority Democrats are planning to adopt a mix of taxes (about $800 million worth) and about $2 billion in spending cuts, federal back-fill, "rainy day" reserves, and other fund balances. But they haven't decided which taxes to raise and what the actual final budget should look like.
The Senate put the endgame in play during a short floor session Monday afternoon, again passing their $30.5 billion version of the state operating budget. It passed without a single vote to spare, with key budgetwriter Rodney Tom of Medina voting against it himself, joined by five other Democrats, including the Senate president pro tem, Rosa Franklin of Tacoma. After House and Senate negotiators iron out their differences (probably this week or next), the Senate bill will be the vehicle for passing it to the governor, who has generally wanted a leaner budget and complained about the Senate's proposal for a 0.3 percent sales tax hike.
In parallel and in tandem with the budget talks will be the tax debate. Much of the negotiating will be behind closed doors.
We'll let you know when we hear about a breakthrough.
Comments on the budget-and-tax issues you'd like us to pass along?
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Secretary of State
Steve Hobbs
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