OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The coalition of Senate Republicans and three Democrats that passed an budget plan by a single vote last month is down a vote through the end of the special session on Tuesday.
Sen. Rodney Tom of Medina was among the Democrats voting for the Republican budget. As lawmakers work Monday to pass a series of measures that Tom and others have insisted upon as part of a budget deal, he is in southern California looking at colleges with his daughter.
Tom said Monday that he will return Wednesday. He said his vote would not be crucial for passage of any bipartisan budget deal.
The rest of the chamber’s 48 senators were all present or expected at the Capitol Monday. Among them was Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt of Walla Walla, who is recovering from major surgery.
