OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Gov. Chris Gregoire is hoping to nudge lawmakers closer to an agreement on roughly $800 million in taxes to help solve the state’s budget deficit.
On Wednesday, Gregoire offered some tax-increase options to the Democratic leaders trying to negotiate a tax plan.
Gregoire says her list would help lawmakers avoid a sales tax increase. The Senate has favored a temporary sales tax increase of three-tenths of a cent. But Gregoire and the House would rather have a “menu” of targeted tax hikes.
Gregoire isn’t ready to declare that she would veto a sales tax. But the Democratic governor says it’s an option she’s holding in reserve.
The Legislature is currently in a special session, trying to patch a $2.8 billion deficit in the state budget.