KGMI News
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) – A Whatcom County water rights case is the reason legislators can’t come to an agreement on a construction budget for our state.
It’s looking like the legislature will adjourn its triple overtime session without a vote on a two-year, $4 billion capital budget .
Democratic House Majority leader Pat Sullivan says he’s frustrated.
“Senate Republicans have said they won’t negotiate a capital budget until we have a decision on the exempt well issue. We believe, again, that you should take each on their own merit. It’s really frustrating that the capital budget is being held hostage.”
Governor Inslee says he won’t call them back for a fourth consecutive special session unless they reach a deal on the construction spending plan.
Republican Senator Randi Becker says the dispute is over legislation aimed at overturning the State Supreme Court’s Hirst decision on Whatcom County wells.
“We should be able to have a capital budget this year. All that needs to happen is to have the house vote on the Hirst bill. Today I actually asked the Governor, he asked what he can do to help and I said ‘Ask the House to vote on the Hirst bill.'”
The high court’s ruling stopped construction of new homes on some rural land throughout the state.
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