OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A new Republican-led spending plan in the state Senate now balances the budget without cutting education.
The revised proposal released Thursday relies heavily on changes to the state pension system, such as skipping a $140 million payment. That is offset in the long term by ending early retirement for future state employees.
The new plan also keeps less money in reserves, leaving $440 million.
An initial Republican budget plan would have cut some $43 million from K-12 education and $30 million from higher education. The budget plan has the support of three Democrats, providing the GOP enough votes to pass the measure through the Senate. Other Democrats have balked at the pension alterations, and negotiators have yet to reach an agreement with the House.
