OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state lawmakers are now dealing with a new rift that threatens to stall the end of the special session.
Gov. Chris Gregoire has called an afternoon meeting with House and Senate leaders to figure out whether they can agree how to handle the state’s debt limit.
The Senate has wanted a constitutional amendment that would eventually reduce the state’s usage of bonds from 9 percent to 7 percent of state revenues. But Democratic Rep. Hans Dunshee says his colleagues are unwilling to even support a plan to create a suggested debt limit of 8 percent.
Dunshee says the curbs would lead to cuts for a variety of construction projects, including schools. He says that could force local governments to pay an increased share.
The special session ends Wednesday.
