OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state Senators are planning to unveil their budget proposal for the state’s next two-year budget Tuesday evening — the last piece of the puzzle as lawmakers head for tough negotiations on government spending.
In this session, lawmakers must close a $5.1 billion shortfall in the state budget. Last week, the House rolled out their proposal, which cuts $4.4 billion in spending, but keeps several big-budget social programs.
But with a slim majority, Democrats in the Senate have been working closely with Republicans on writing the budget. Republicans have advocated for deeper cuts in social services and less in education.
There’s about two weeks left scheduled for the legislative session, which will be dominated by negotiations between the two chambers and the governor’s office on a final budget.
