OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Senators advanced their proposed two-year budget past a key panel Friday night, setting up a floor vote next week.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee made a few adjustments to it before advancing it including stripping a proposal that would have penalized schools low attendance rates. The panel replaced that $95 million cut with one that pushes back payments for school buses made to school districts — an idea forwarded by Gov. Chris Gregoire earlier.
They also added a bill that would establish cigar lounges that promises to bring in $4 million in the next biennium.
Under the Senate plan, $4.8 billion in spending would bet cut, including $250 million from the K12 education system. Lawmakers must close a $5.3 billion deficit this year.
Senate leaders say they plan to vote on the budget on Monday.
