OLYMPIA (AP) — Lawmakers could work through the weekend as the end of an overtime special looms.
Late Thursday night, the Democratic-controlled House passed a new budget proposal that dropped an extension of business taxes, and the House also voted to add more money to the state’s education system by closing a group of tax preferences, such as requiring nonresidents to apply for sales tax refunds instead of getting them automatically.
Gov. Jay Inslee lauded the House budget in a written statement issued Friday, saying it “shows serious compromise, and meets the Senate more than half way.”
The House and Senate have been locked in weeks of fruitless budget negotiations, with a Republican-dominated majority in the Senate opposing any tax changes. Senators have expressed concern about the House plan but also say the two sides are making progress toward a final solution.
The special session ends Tuesday. Inslee has said another special session would start Wednesday if needed.
