The Legislature adjourned a 17-day special session Wednesday after voting to close $480 million of the state’s $2 billion budget gap.
The action, which passed by lopsided and bipartisan votes in the House and Senate, left the tougher budget decisions until lawmakers return Jan. 9 for a regular 60-day session.
That is when liberal Democrats are likely to demand new tax revenues in exchange for new spending cuts, while others seek reforms to save money.
“I believe we are making a significant down payment on the crisis we face with this almost half-billion dollars,’’ Sen. Ed Murray, the Senate Democrats’ top budget writer, said as the final vote was taken. It passed by a 42-6 margin in the Senate.
Republicans who wanted a bigger package also thought the time spent in session was fruitful and set the stage for quicker, thoughtful decisions next year.
“I’m happy we are getting something done,” said Republican Sen. Joe Zarelli in a floor speech.
Zarelli, the GOP minority’s lead voice on the budget, called the deal “a good start on a very large problem that in some ways could get worse.’’
Murray said it is natural for people to cast blame in difficult times. But if anyone wants to lay blame on the budget deal not covering the entire $2 billion, he said they should blame him.
“I believe as a body we’ve acted responsibly,’’ Murray said, adding that the bill includes real cuts that will lay off hundreds of employees.
Work on the larger solution won’t stop – even as most lawmakers started leaving after the 3:49 p.m. adjournment to begin a three-week holiday break.
“I’m going to go down to work this evening. ... I’ll come back and work tomorrow. I’ll take some time off for Christmas, but we have a huge amount of work to do,” said House Ways and Means Committee chairman Ross Hunter, D-Medina.
Senate Republican Leader Mike Hewitt of Walla Walla was skeptical much would get done before Jan. 10. But he did say Senate lawmakers will move forward in a bipartisan way for as long as they can.
Hewitt and Senate Democratic Leader Lisa Brown also said recently that by holding hearings on Gov. Chris Gregoire’s $2 billion budget cuts plan, the Legislature got valuable feedback that will allow faster progress in January.
“The fact this was a lengthy special session and stressful at the end ... nobody can go into January without having thought hard,” said Rep. J.T. Wilcox, a first-term Republican from Yelm.
Wednesday’s finish was a bit of a whimper after the loud clashes between protesters and authorities that led to 15 arrests the first two days of the session. By day’s end, the Senate and House had agreed to pass a handful of other bills.
Among them was a piece of legislation that enhances training opportunities for students who plan to work in the aerospace industry, and other bills dealing with involuntary commitments of mental patients and violent sex predators.
Brad Shannon: 360-753-1688 bshannon@theolympian.com www.theolympian.com/politicsblog
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