OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Senate has easily approved a new budget plan for Washington state, passing the measure in the final hours of the 30-day special session.
No senators spoke out against the spending proposal during debate Wednesday night despite the cuts it makes to education. Democratic Sen. Ed Murray of Seattle called it a painful budget, but he argued that lawmakers still managed to make key investments in education, the environment and public safety while filling a $5 billion shortfall.
Republican Sen. Joe Zarelli called the budget a truly bipartisan one.
The spending bill stood as the last major debate for lawmakers as they pushed to wrap up their overtime session before it ends Wednesday night.