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House committee advances DUI bill, concerns arise over cost

By | May 22, 2013 | 0 Comments

The House Public Safety Committee voted 10-1 on Wednesday to pass a bill that strengthens the state’s drunk driving laws. The vote advances the bill to the House’s fiscal committee, where lawmakers hope to get a better idea of what the legislation will cost.

Rep. Sherry Appleton, D-Poulsbo, cast the sole dissenting vote. She says lawmakers are still waiting for updated figures that show how much it will cost to implement the legislation.

Cities and counties are already on the “brink” because of budget cutbacks, Appleton said, and the Kitsap County Jail is so overcrowded they’re releasing inmates.

“I’m not convinced there’s enough money enough for this,” she said. “Until I am, I can’t support it.”

Committee chair Rep. Roger Goodman said the bill needs to move forward so that the fiscal committee can find a way to fund it. “We’re not going to prevent every tragedy, but this is a good step forward,” he said.

The bill targets repeat DUI offenders by making their fourth conviction a felony offense. On the second offense and beyond, people will be required to submit to some form of alcohol monitoring or face jail time.

“I see victims in the audience and they’re watching us,” Goodman said before voting.

The bill now moves to the House Appropriations Committee. Last week, the Senate voted to advance the companion DUI bill to that chamber’s fiscal committee.

Today is the 10th day of the 30-day special session.

Categories: Alcohol, Criminal Justice

Inslee signs ‘Facebook bill,’ dozens of others on final day of bill signing

By | May 21, 2013 | 0 Comments

Tuesday was the last day for Gov. Jay Inslee to sign bills into law that passed during the regular legislative session. He started by vetoing House Bill 1652, which would have allowed builders to defer the impact fees they pay to local governments. Inslee said deferring the fees would “delay funding for schools when the state’s paramount duty is to fund education.” He hopes to pass a modified version of the bill during special session that would help small builders who struggle to pay the fees upfront.

Among the bills he signed into law:

Social networking: Senate Bill 5211 bans employers from demanding a worker’s password to social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. The law makes exceptions for investigations into employee misconduct, such as if a worker is caught sharing financial data. During the bill signing ceremony, Inslee praised bill sponsor Sen. Steve Hobbs for being “way ahead of the curve” on the issue. Washington is the eighth state to pass a social networking privacy law.

Wolf compensation: Ranchers whose livestock are injured or killed by wolves will be eligible to receive compensation for the animals under Senate Bill 5193, which was sponsored by Sen. John Smith. The law increases fees for personalized licenses plates by $10, and the money goes into a newly created compensation account. Inslee said the law will make Washington state a “leader in the nation” in wolf management.

Hospital infection reporting: Hospitals must report more infection rates under a bill signed into law by Inslee, despite a request from the Washington State Hospital Association asking for a partial veto. House Bill 1471 law brings infection reporting requirements into line with federal law. Additionally, it requires hospitals to report infections that come as a result of knee, cardiac or hip surgeries. The hospital association objected to the latter three categories, which are not required under federal law.

Adoption birth certificates: People who were adopted will be allowed to get copies of their original birth certificates under House Bill 1525. Birth parents can fill out a form saying whether or not they want to be contacted. If they chose not to be contacted, they must complete a medical history form.

Confidential drivers’ licenses: Senate Bill 5591 allows the Department of Licensing to issue fake driver’s licenses and ID cards to undercover agents for “law enforcement activities.” It makes official a program that had been operating for years without Legislative oversight until it was brought to light in recent stories by the Kitsap Sun.

You can find a full list of bills signed into law here.

Categories: Governors Office

Rally at Capitol for transportation funding

By | May 20, 2013 | 0 Comments

Gov. Jay Inslee, U.S. Rep. Denny Heck and several other elected officials spoke at a rally on the steps of the Capitol on Monday in favor of a transportation funding package.

About 200 people attended the event, many wearing neon safety gear and carrying signs that said: “Do your job so we can do ours,” and “Finish your job.”

The governor has said transportation funding must be a top priority during the current 30-day special session, along with a two-year operating budget and stricter drunk driving laws.

“Now, we’re going to ask legislators to legislate,” Inslee said. He called on lawmakers to pass a package that would fund major transportation projects, fix the state’s crumbling infrastructure and “finish what we started.”

A proposed 10-cent gas tax increase to fund transportation projects passed a House committee during regular session and has support among many House Democrats, but faces opposition from some GOP legislators — especially in the Senate where there are vocal opponents to the controversial Columbia River Crossing project.

The $3.4 billion CRC project would replace the Interstate 5 bridge linking Portland, Ore. and Vancouver, Wash.

Sen. Tracey Eide, D-Federal Way, said the state “cannot afford to not build this bridge.” Eide said she’s walked across the bridge once — and won’t be doing it again. “That’s one scary bridge,” she said.

King County Executive Dow Constantine said that when he was a state representative 17 years ago, transportation was never a partisan issue. He said he’s hopeful Monday’s rally will spur that type of bipartisanship again.

Constantine talked about the need for transit funding, saying the King County Metro system will face a 17 percent cut in service if the Legislature doesn’t take action this year.

Republican legislators Bruce Dammeier and Hans Zeiger also spoke at the rally, both emphasizing the need to complete Highways 167 and 509.

“Completing those projects are the most important thing we can do for our economy,” Dammeier said.

Congressman Heck lead the crowd on a chant of “Pass it now!” that was repeated several times throughout the rally.

Later in the day, Inslee signed a no-frills transportation budget, but vetoed a section that included $81 million in planning money for the Columbia River Crossing. According to the AP, the governor said there’s no reason to spend the planning money if there’s no state funding for the bridge.

2.1.12

Categories: transportation

Candidate filing week comes to a close

By | May 17, 2013 | 0 Comments

Filing week for the August primary and November election ends today. So far, fifteen candidates have filed for eight statewide offices.

One race that could influence the power in the state Senate is the 26th Legislative District, which covers parts of Kitsap and Pierce counties. Republican state Rep. Jan Angel has filed to run against Democratic Sen. Nathan Schlicher. Schlicher is an emergency room doctor who was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Derek Kilmer. Angel is a former real estate agent who has been a state representative since 2009.

In the 8th Legislative District in Benton County, Republican state Sen. Sharon Brown will be facing two members of her same party. Brown drew widespread attention when she filed a controversial bill at the end of regular session that would have allowed businesses to refuse services based on religious beliefs. Richland City Councilman Phillip Lemley and West Richland City Councilman Tony Benegas, both Republicans, have filed to run in the race.

In the Northeastern part of the state, Sen. John Smith will be on the ballot. The Republican farmer was selected earlier this year to replace Bob Morton, a former GOP senator who served more than two decades in the 7th Legislative District before retiring in January. Republicans Mike Brunson and Brian Dansel have also filed in the race.

Other statewide races include King Superior Court, Clark Superior Court and Benton, Franklin Superior Court, as well as Court of Appeals in Districts 1 and 2.

See the full list of candidates on the Secretary of State’s website.

Categories: Election

Marijuana rules get a little less hazy with release of requirements

By | May 16, 2013 | 0 Comments

Produced in Washington logo

Marijuana stores in Washington state will be allowed to stay open until 2 a.m., they’ll be monitored at all times by video surveillance and smokers will be assured their product is homegrown by a “produced in Washington” logo.

The state Liquor Control Board released its first draft rules for legal marijuana under Initiative 502 on Thursday. Here are a few details from the 46-page document:

  • Marijuana labels must include a warning that says “May be habit forming.” The label must also have the “produced in Washington” logo that shows the outline of the state with a marijuana leaf in the center.
  • Organic marijuana must be certified organic by the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
  • Marijuana stores may be open from 6 a.m. and 2 a.m.
  • Entrepreneurs who want to get into the marijuana business must live in Washington state for at least three months before applying for a license.
  • Applicants must also undergo a criminal background check and cannot have more than “eight points” against them. The point system includes several categories, such as a misdemeanor conviction (four points), a felony conviction (12 points) or a gross misdemeanor (five points).
  • Marijuana stores cannot be located within 1,000 feet of an elementary school, playground, recreational center, day care, public park, public transit station, library or arcade.
  • Workers in marijuana facilities must have a photo ID badge, and the building must have an alarm system and surveillance camera system.
  • Marijuana will be tracked from “seed to sale” through a system “specified by the board.”
Categories: Marijuana

DUI bill advances on second day of special session

By | May 14, 2013 | 0 Comments

The Senate Law and Justice Committee unanimously approved a DUI bill on the second day of special session, moving it forward to the budget-writing committee.

Senate Bill 5912 targets repeat offenders by making driving under the influence a felony if it is the driver’s fourth conviction. Currently, it takes five DUI convictions before becoming a felony. It also increases mandatory minimum sentences and creates alcohol monitoring programs.

Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, said the bill “still has a ways to go.” He urged lawmakers to pass the bill out of committee so that lawmakers can begin examining the fiscal impact in the Senate Ways and Means committee.

Sen. Adam Kline, D-Seattle, introduced an amendment that would have paid for the new law by continuing a beer tax that is set to expire in June. He cited studies that say that more than 72 percent of DUI convictions come as a result of drinking beer, not wine or liquor. “The nexus is there for the extension of a beer surcharge,” Kline said.

Speaking against the amendment, Padden said that the DUI legislation has broad support and “people are committed” to finding a way to fund it.

The beer tax amendment failed, as did a similar amendment by Kline that would have paid for the law with a liquor excise tax. However, the committee did vote to pass “without recommendation” two bills sponsored by Kline (5915 and 5917) that call for funding the new law with the beer and liquor taxes.

On Monday, Gov. Jay Inslee said that DUI legislation is one of the go-home priorities during special session. He also said the Legislature must focus on an operating budget and a transportation revenue package. Watch his press conference here.

Categories: Alcohol, Budget

Governor signs dozens of bills into law

By | May 8, 2013 | 0 Comments

Gov. Jay Inslee has signed dozens of bills into law during the two-week break between regular session and special session, which begins May 13. Most of the laws go into effect at the end of July. The full list is here, but below is a round-up of a few bills we’ve covered on this blog or on “Legislative Review“:

Alcohol poisoning: The law aims to reduce alcohol poisoning deaths by exempting underage drinkers from a minor-in-possession charge if they call 9-1-1 to report that a friend has alcohol poisoning.

Electronic insurance: Drivers who are pulled over by the police will be allowed to show their insurance and vehicle registration information on a cellphone, iPad or other electronic device.

Liquor self-checkout machines: Grocery stores will be required to program all self-checkout machines so that the register freezes up whenever someone attempts to purchases liquor. A clerk must check ID to verify the purchaser is 21 or older before the machine can finish the transaction.

Wrongful conviction compensation: Prisoners who were wrongly convicted would be eligible to receive $50,000 for each year spent in prison, with an additional $50,000 for each year on death row. Awards would also be provided for each year spent on parole or as a registered sex offender. Backers of the law estimate it’ll only affect four current cases — including Alan Northrop, who testified at hearings on the issue. Northrop spent 17 years in prison for rape before he was exonerated by DNA evidence.

Craft distilleries: Up until now, craft distilleries in Washington have only been allowed to sell two liters of liquor per customer each day. The owner of Carbon Glacier Distillery near Mt. Rainier testified during hearings that the two-bottle limit was hurting tourism. The new law increase the limit to three liters per person.

Statute of limitations for sex abuse: Those who were sexually abused as minors will now have until their 30th birthday to report the crime. Previously, the abuse had to be prosecuted by their 28th birthday. It also expands the definition of the crime to include sexual exploitation of a minor, which can include photos or videos.

Motorcycle passing: Motorcycles are allowed to pass a pedestrian or bicyclist that traveling is in the same lane, as long as the motorcyclist passes on the left at a safe distance.

Persistently failing schools: The law directs the state’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to identify the worst-performing schools and come up with an intervention plan. The schools will get additional funding to help with the turnaround plan.

Auditor calls for stricter background checks

By | May 7, 2013 | 0 Comments

State Auditor Troy Kelley

State Auditor Troy Kelley is recommending the state improve its background check process by setting up automatic notifications every time someone like a school employee or foster parent commits a crime.

Twenty-nine other states have an automatic notification system in place, also known as a “rap back service.”

In Washington, people who apply for certain jobs must undergo a background check, with periodic follow-up background checks. Those jobs include child care workers, foster parents, teachers, home care aides, school employees and others working in what the report describes as “positions of trust.”

Between 2005 and 2012, the auditor’s office found that about 500 people faced new criminal charges after passing the initial background check. Most of those crimes went unnoticed for nearly two years, with the charges ranging from drugs to theft to child molestation.

The auditor’s report cites a high school janitor who passed an initial background check, then was arrested for a sex offense a year later. He continued to work in the school district for several years after his conviction because of gaps in the background check process.

It would cost about $300,000 to upgrade Washington’s criminal history system for automatic notifications. After that, it would cost about $350,000 a year to maintain, according to the report.

Read the full auditor’s report here.

Categories: Criminal Justice

Text message privacy case makes its way to state Supreme Court

By | May 7, 2013 | 0 Comments

Is an iPhone text message the modern version of a letter? That question was debated in oral arguments Tuesday in front of the Washington Supreme Court, which is considering two cases that deal with the expectation of privacy when sending a text message.

After arresting a suspected drug dealer last year, a police detective saw an incoming text message on the dealer’s iPhone screen that said: “Hey whats up dogg can you call me i need to talk to you.”

The detective typed out a response to the text message, pretending to be the dealer. They arranged to meet at a parking lot, where the person who was sending the text messages, Shawn Hinton, was arrested for attempting to possess heroin. Police also found an old text message from Jonathan Roden on the iPhone and started a new text conversation that led to his arrest.

Hinton and Roden claim that their Fourth Amendment rights were violated when the police searched the text messages without a warrant. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

On Tuesday, the state’s high court heard arguments in both the cases.

Attorney John Hays argued on behalf of Hinton, saying that the text message is the equivalent of a letter, which is protected by the Fourth Amendment. “Until the recipient reads it, you as the writer have a right to privacy,” Hays said.

Justice Debra L. Stephens noted that the iPhone was not protected by a password and the incoming text message simply popped up on the screen. “Why is that inside the envelope, not outside the envelope?” Stephens asked.

Hays replied that he’s not arguing that the message flashing across the screen was illegally obtained. “That was open view,” he said. “But when they open the phone and start using it, they are opening the letter and looking inside.”

Hays said he believes that police should have a warrant to “manipulate” a phone.

Attorney Sean Brittain laid out the state’s case. He argued that there is an “inherent risk in a text message” that someone else might read it, giving the hypothetical example of a husband who hands his cellphone to his wife to respond to a text because he’s driving.

Brittain argued that “privacy ends at the moment the letter is delivered.” Whether it’s an email or text or letter, he says the sender has no control over what happens to it next. For example, the sender can’t force the recipient to delete an email chain, he said.

“Once it has been delivered, that’s where privacy interest is lost,” Brittain said.

The state Supreme Court will issue a decision at a later time. TVW airs all Supreme Court cases. Watch the Hinton arguments here, and the Roden arguments here.

Categories: Courts, Criminal Justice

Senate, House leaders try to bridge gap as budget numbers get reworked

By | May 2, 2013 | 0 Comments

In the days since regular session ended on Sunday, legislative staffers have been reworking the numbers on the Senate and House budget proposals so that negotiators have “accurate information to exchange” when they come to the negotiating table, Senate Republican leader Mark Schoesler said Thursday.

The Legislature is on a two-week break until special session begins on May 13, but key budget negotiators have stayed behind in Olympia to try to work out a budget deal before the rank-and-file members return. The House and Senate stand about $900 million apart in their budget proposals.

Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom told “Inside Olympia” host Austin Jenkins that the Senate sees two major flaws with the House’s budget proposal: It dips into the so-called “rainy day fund,” which would require a 60 percent vote to pass. It also has $184 million less in revenue than originally proposed because the House backed away from a beer tax and ending two tax breaks.

“What we’re saying is: Fill those two gaps, make your budget real, and show us — with those holes — what you’re going to cut,” Tom said. “Once we have a real budget then we can start to negotiate from there.”

Speaker of the House Frank Chopp said his chamber is addressing those concerns.

“We’re updating our budget proposal to deal with issues around the rainy day fund and other specific items to meet the concerns that were raised,” Chopp said. “We’re actively working to bridge the gap.”

The Senate’s budget needs work as well, said House Democratic Majority Leader Pat Sullivan.

“They make some assumptions that we don’t agree with, they have some unidentified cuts I don’t think we can’t utilize, they have some transfers that are unconstitutional — or at best, just bad policy decisions. It’s a significant difference,” Sullivan said.

During regular session, the House passed a budget that includes $900 million in new tax revenue by ending several tax breaks and extending a business tax that was set to expire. The Senate adopted a no-new-taxes budget that instead relies on a combination of cuts to social services, savings and policy changes. The Legislature adjourned on Sunday without a budget deal in place.

Watch the complete interviews on “Inside Olympia” right here.

Categories: Budget, TVW, WA House, WA Senate

Pat Kohler leaves Liquor Control Board to head Dept. of Licensing

By | May 1, 2013 | 0 Comments

Gov. Jay Inslee has tapped Liquor Control Board director Pat Kohler to head up the state Department of Licensing.

Kohler has led the liquor board for the last decade as it transitioned under Initiative 1183, which privatized liquor in Washington state. The board is now tasked with developing rules for legal marijuana under Initiative 502.

Gov. Inslee praised Kohler’s lean management skills and ability to “negotiate fair deals and provide top-quality service to the customers and taxpayers of Washington.”

The governor announced the decision Wednesday along with three other appointments, which nearly completes his executive cabinet.

Christopher Liu will serve as director of the Department of Enterprise Services. For the past year, Liu has been the director of the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises.

Rob St. John was reappointed to serve as director of Consolidated Technical Services.

Jesus Sanchez was named director of the Center for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance, an agency that will replace the Office of Regulatory Assistance. Sanchez previously worked as the public works manager for the city of Shoreline.

Categories: Governors Office

Highlights from the last week of session on ‘Legislative Review’

By | April 30, 2013 | 0 Comments

On Monday we taped our final daily edition of “Legislative Review” for the 2013 legislative session. We’ll be back with a special year-in-review show at the end of special session and, of course, we’ll be back on the air everyday for the 2014 Legislative session.

So here it is: We’ve got the highlights from the final week of session leading up to Gov. Jay Inslee‘s announcement that the Legislature would be forced to go into special session, including a recap of the debate of the tax package and a controversial pension bill.

Categories: Budget, WA House, WA Senate

Legislature adjourns, special session to start May 13

By | April 29, 2013 | 0 Comments

The Legislature adjourned the 105-day regular session on Sunday evening without a budget agreement in place. Shortly after Sine Die, Gov. Jay Inslee called a special session to begin May 13. The governor said he wants legislators to tackle policy issues during special session as well as the budget. On his list: Gun control, drunk driving legislation, a transportation revenue package and an abortion insurance bill.

Budget writers will be meeting for the next two weeks to work out a deal on the budget. The Democratically-controlled House has passed a budget that includes $900 million in new tax revenue by ending tax breaks and extending a business surcharge. The mostly Republican Majority Coalition in the Senate approved a no-new-taxes budget that relies instead on cuts to social services, savings and policy changes.

We’ll have a new edition of “Legislative Review” airing Monday night at 6:30 and 11 p.m. that wraps up the weekend activities.

Watch Gov. Inlsee’s announcement of special session below:

Categories: Budget, WA House, WA Senate

On ‘Legislative Review:’ Senate OKs pension bill, Majority Coalition says work is done

By | April 26, 2013 | 0 Comments

On Thursday’s edition of “Legislative Review,” we recap debate over a pension bill in the Senate, which creates a new 401(k)-type retirement plan for public employees. Plus, members of the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus call a press conference to announce that their work for session is done. Lawmakers also got a sneak peek at the new healthcare exchange website during a committee hearing on Thursday.

Categories: Budget, WA Senate

House debates tax package, Inslee talks about the end of session on ‘Legislative Review’

By | April 25, 2013 | 0 Comments

On Wednesday’s “Legislative Review,” we’ve got highlights from the House floor debate over a controversial tax package. On a vote of 50 to 47, the House approved a $900 million tax package, which eliminates some tax breaks and extends a business tax surcharge, to pay for basic education spending. Plus, we have details from Gov. Jay Inslee‘s press conference in which he talked about the end of session, as well as a recap of a Senate energy committee with testimony from former Former Oklahoma congressman and NFL Hall of Fame receiver Steve Largent.

Categories: Budget

Teacher pay raises, healthcare for part-time state workers on ‘Legislative Review’

By | April 23, 2013 | 0 Comments

On Monday’s “Legislative Review” show: Teachers and school employees ask the Legislature to protect the cost of living pay raises that voters promised them more than a decade ago with Initiative 732. The House wants to continue suspending the initiative, while the Senate has proposed repealing it altogether.

Plus, we have highlights from a debate on the Senate floor over a bill that would make changes to healthcare coverage for part-time state workers. As part of the Senate’s budget proposal, part-time workers at state agencies, schools and colleges would no longer receive state health care — instead, they’d be moved into the new Health Benefit Exchange created by the Affordable Care Act.

Cutoff day highlights on ‘Legislative Review’

By | April 18, 2013 | 0 Comments

On Wednesday’s edition of “Legislative Review,” we have highlights from a busy cutoff day — including a floor speech from House Republican Minority Leader Richard DeBolt in which he resigned his leadership post for health reasons, and heated debate on the Senate floor when Democrats attempted to revive an abortion insurance bill. Plus, floor debate over a flame retardant bill and a social networking measure.

 

Alcohol bills, Senate Democratic press conference on ‘Legislative Review’

By | April 16, 2013 | 0 Comments

On Monday’s “Legislative Review,” we have details from a floor debate in the House over three alcohol-related bills, including measures that would loosen restrictions for serving alcohol at day spas, dinner theaters and grocery stores. We also have highlights from a press conference in which Senate Democrats say they are willing to use the Ninth Order to bring the Washington Dream Act and Reproductive Parity Act to the floor for a vote. Plus, details from Friday night’s budget debate in the House.

Senate Democrats say they may use Ninth Order to force vote on two bills

By | April 15, 2013 | 0 Comments

Senate Democrats said they are willing to use a parliamentary tactic called the Ninth Order to force a vote on two bills on the Senate floor. Senate Democratic Leader Ed Murray said he believes there are enough votes to pass the Washington Dream Act and an abortion insurance bill known as the Reproductive Parity Act.

“We have a majority of members who want these bills to pass, but the philosophical majority is not being allowed to bring these bills forward,” Murray said. He said “eventually we’re going to have to go to Ninth Order” if the Majority Coalition Caucus won’t move the bills.

The Washington Dream Act would allow undocumented immigrants to apply for state Need Grants to help pay for college. The Reproductive Parity Act would require all insurance companies in the state to provide coverage for abortions if they also cover maternity care. Both bills passed out of the House, but never received committee votes in the Senate.

Murray said by calling a press conference about the issue on Monday, he is hoping to “avoid the theater that sometimes happens around the Ninth Order.” Last year, Republicans and conservative Democrats used the Ninth Order to force a vote on GOP-backed budget.

Democrats would have to use the tactic before the end of the day Wednesday, which marks a key cutoff deadline.

“The votes are there,” Murray said. “There is no reason not to pass the legislation.”

Watch the press conference below:

House passes budget along party lines, 54-43

By | April 12, 2013 | 0 Comments

The House voted to approve a budget on Friday evening with a vote of 54-43, with virtually all Democrats voting in support and all Republicans voting no. Rep. Monica Stonier of Vancouver was the only Democrat to vote against the budget.

The budget proposed by House Democrats increases education funding by $1.9 billion dollars. To pay for that spending, it calls for raising $1.3 billion in new tax revenue by eliminating 15 tax breaks and keeping two “temporary” taxes, including a beer tax.

Lead Democratic budget writer Rep. Ross Hunter said during floor debate that the budget makes a significant investment in education, including class size reduction, all-day kindergarten, classroom supplies and “all the stuff you need to make a school work.”

Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, (D-Seattle), asked her fellow lawmakers to “vote yes on closing loopholes for a few in order to open the doors of opportunity for all.”

Speaking in opposition, Republican Rep. Cathy Dahlquist said that the budget “misses on several points” when it comes to education reform. “We continue to fail our students in graduation rates, and we continue to widen the opportunity gap,” she said.

Rep. Gary Alexander, the ranking Republican on the budget committee, criticized the budget proposal for including tax revenue. He says it’s not necessary to balance the budget.

“You add $1.3 billion in new tax increases on our citizens at a time when they can least afford it,” Alexander said.

The Senate passed its version of the budget last week. Gov. Jay Inslee has put forward a proposal that’s similar to the one championed by House Democrats, and now all sides must begin negotiating a compromise.

Categories: Budget