OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — House Republicans have released a supplemental budget proposal they say shows a temporary sales tax increase isn’t necessary to help balance the current two-year state budget.
The plan unveiled Friday makes nearly $840 million in cuts to state programs, including eliminating the Basic Health Plan, which provides health insurance for poor people, and Disability Lifeline, a welfare and health care program for unemployable adults. Majority Democrats in the House oppose those eliminations.
Republicans also call to eliminate three tax exemptions, including a tax break for out-of-state banks. Under the Republican plan, nearly $651 million would be left in reserves as a buffer in case the economy underperforms.
Republicans say the plan prioritizes funding for basic education and ensures that there is no early release or reduction in community supervision for criminals.
