OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The state Senate’s Democratic majority has narrowly approved its plan for balancing the state’s $2.8 billion budget deficit.
The Senate budget counts on about $920 million in tax increases. But Senators haven’t settled on the details of their tax package yet.
The budget also calls for about $840 million in spending cuts, $580 million in federal aid, and $500 million in one-time fixes like fund transfers.
Majority Democrats say it’s a balanced approach that would protect critical state programs. But Republicans say it relies too heavily on tax hikes and short-term solutions.
The budget passed on the Senate a 25-19 vote. It will have to be blended with a competing budget from the House before legislators can adjourn their short, election-year session.