OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — To save $10 million lawmakers are considering a proposal by Gov. Chris Gregoire to eliminate the 2012 presidential primary.
A statewide presidential primary had been established in 1989 after voters approved an initiative establishing the primary, but the state’s political parties largely ignore it, preferring to choose their candidates in caucuses of the party faithful.
The proposal is part of Gregoire’s attempts to cut spending as she and lawmakers attempt to close a projected deficit of $5 billion in the next two-year budget.
Lawmakers will hear the details of the proposal in a committee hearing on Wednesday morning.
