OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire says she is now pushing a compromise budget plan that would encapsulate many of the Legislature’s contentious proposals into one package.
Gregoire said there are six major issues still at play, including proposals to raise taxes. She declined to say what her package would look like but said negotiators have to get away from working through each issue one at a time.
Republicans have pushed ideas such as the elimination of early retirement for state workers. Democrats have proposed delaying a payment for schools.
Lawmakers are trying to close a roughly half-billion dollar shortfall for the two-year budget cycle ending June 2013.
Gregoire moved ahead Thursday with the signing of more than 100 other bills. She had previously threatened to veto bills if lawmakers could not reach a budget deal.
