4-5-2019
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The state Senate passed a modified proposal for a two-year state budget, and lawmakers will now move to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions before sending it off for approval by Governor Inslee.
It passed on a 31-17 vote, with three Republicans voting with the Democratic majority.
The $52 billion plan looks to increase spending on K-12 education, higher education, wildfire prevention, and behavioral health.
Senate Democrats added a tax increase on property, auto, and casualty insurance to fund the growing cost of wildfire prevention and suppression.
Republicans who voted against the budget argued that more restraint should have been shown in the budget process.
“It seems in Olympia if a dollar comes in, a dollar needs to be spent,” says Senator Doug Ericksen, who wants to prioritize tax relief over growing government.
He was one of the nay votes, while other local senator Liz Lovelett voted yea.