Budget breakthrough means no shutdown
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Gov. Jay Inslee and legislative leaders from both parties and both houses on Thursday announced the good news that had eluded them for weeks -- a budget deal that will avert a partial government shutdown.
The state is closer to the budget deadline than ever before -- and the phrase "government shutdown" had moved into the state lexicon as anxious state employees, their managers and the public wondered if it could happen here. With just three days before the June 30 midnight deadline, the governor and lawmakers announced the breakthrough.
A "happy and relieved" Inslee told reporters: "Government operations will not be interrupted. All government functions will be in operation Monday. Washington will be at work Monday."
Secretary of State Kim Wyman and other statewide officials joined the governor in sending out quick word to their employees, explaining the happy development and rescinding notices of a potential temporary layoff that would have occurred starting Monday without a budget. The state Constitution says General Fund money cannot be spent without a legislative appropriation. That authority expires at the end of this biennium, Sunday night.
Budget details were not immediately available.
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Secretary of State
Steve Hobbs
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