Government Shutdown Looms As Washington Lawmakers Head For Third Special Session
Listen
The state of Washington is 10 days from a government shutdown as lawmakers head into a third overtime session with still no budget deal.
This is the point when even veteran Olympia insiders start to get nervous. Time is nearly out for House Democrats and Senate Republicans to bust through their months-old impasse over the budget and school funding.
The question to both sides now: do you have a backup plan?
“Of course we have a back-up plan,”Senate budget chair John Braun said. “We always have a backup plan, but that’s not what we should be focused on. We should be focused on getting the job done on June 30th.”
House budget chair Timm Ormbsy stuck with that theme.
“Our sole focus is to get the biennial budget done by the end of the fiscal year,” he said.
If they don’t, then Ormbsy said all options should be on the table to avoid a government shutdown. But Gov. Jay Inslee has indicated he will not sign a 30-day stop-gap budget.
If there is a government shutdown more than 30,000 state employees will be sent home, state parks will close and many other state functions will be suspended.
Budget writers did get a bit of help on Tuesday. The latest state revenue forecast shows Washington is projected to take in an additional $80 million over the next two years.
“It doesn’t solve all our challenges, but it doesn’t hurt them either,” Braun said.
This is the third time since 2013 that Washington lawmakers have been unable to agree on a budget forcing a third special session.
Related Stories:
West Richland double-murder, kidnapping suspect shot at police, officials say
FBI, county and police officials wait for the all-clear to collect evidence at the home of Elias Huizar, 39, where his 17-year-old girlfriend, Angelica Santos, was found dead. (Credit: Anna… Continue Reading West Richland double-murder, kidnapping suspect shot at police, officials say
New funding to build farmworker housing in the Pacific Northwest, nationwide
The United States Department of Agriculture is soliciting applications for funding to build farmworker housing nationwide.
In the Pacific Northwest, leaders hope the money can address gaps in farmworker housing. The Pacific Northwest is in a housing crisis and that impacts rural small businesses and agricultural producers, as well as farmworkers, said Helen Price Johnson, who is the Washington State Rural Development director for the USDA.
Continue Reading New funding to build farmworker housing in the Pacific Northwest, nationwide
Worms eating airport deicer fluid could be greener approach to airline waste
The Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco is piloting a new program that could lead the country in cleanly disposing of deicing wastewater using worms. (Credit: BioFiltro) Listen (Runtime 0:57) Read To… Continue Reading Worms eating airport deicer fluid could be greener approach to airline waste