KGMI News
OLYMPIA, Wash- $4 billon in construction projects remain in limbo after the Washington State Legislature entered a new fiscal year Saturday without passing a capital construction budget or settling a major water rights issue.
Lawmakers couldn’t reach an agreement on a possible fix for what is known as the Hirst Decision, a Washington State Supreme Court ruling that pits developers against Native American tribes and environmentalists over water.
A stop-gap capital budget was passed that does allow projects currently underway to continue.
Whatcom County rural landowners have been impacted by a well moratorium imposed by the Whatcom County Council in response to the Hirst decision.
Lawmakers will take up the issue again after the July 4th recess.