OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — House Democrats have passed their supplement budget that relies on $400 million in delayed payments and reduced support for local governments while largely protecting basic education from further cuts.
The bill passed on a 53-45 vote Wednesday night and now heads to the Senate, which unveiled its own budget plan on Tuesday.
In total, the House plan saves some $890 million without asking voters for a temporary sales tax increase originally suggested by Gov. Chris Gregoire. The Democrats propose to leave $504 million in reserves.
The biggest savings come from delaying $405 million in some payments to schools until the next budget cycle that begins in July 2013. The proposal also calls for $65 million in cuts to higher education and $224 million in cuts to health care and human service programs.
