OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The upcoming special session in Olympia will be dominated by negotiations on the next two-year operating budget. But how fast Senate and House leaders will reach an agreement remains uncertain.
Gov. Chris Gregoire says lawmakers must also finish reaching a deal on the construction budget, which has been held back by differences between the House and Senate on how much the state’s debt limit should be. The governor also wants lawmakers to finish work on reforming the state’s compensation system for injured workers.
The difference between the House and Senate budgets — both total around $32 billion — is several hundred million dollars, but that money in a revenue-strapped state represents life for many state programs that otherwise could see major reductions.
The Senate, which wrote its budget with Republican influence, cuts more to social service programs and education. The House, which remains dominated by Democrats, cuts less.
Legislators have 30 days to reach an agreement. The special session starts on Tuesday.
