³ÉÈËXÕ¾

MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Blame game as state lawmakers adjourn without transportation budget

Mar 14, 2014, 10:08 AM | Updated: 1:24 pm

Washington state lawmakers have gone home, adjourning their regular 60-day legislative session after approving a supplemental budget late Thursday.

The new spending plan includes a $155 million spending increase over the $33.6 billion, two-year state operating budget approved by the Legislature last year.

Governor Jay Inslee and lawmakers are trading barbs over what was not accomplished in Olympia. Specifically, the failure to pass a transportation budget that would pay for mega-projects, ferries, and transit.

Pierce County Senator Bruce Dammeier says Republicans were not willing to increase the gasoline tax without transportation spending reforms, even though his district is counting on the funding.

“There’s a lot of infrastructure needs that are very important there, including the final completion of State Route 167, which is critically important for our ports to connect; it’s got great economic development, but we’ve got to make sure we get the reforms.”

“We were happy to see reforms because we think there are always ways to improve organization and that’s going on right now,” the governor responded.

Dammeier blamed the governor for lack of leadership and disengaging from negotiations with legislative leadership.

“If I had failed as spectacularly as the Senate to produce a transportation bill, I guess I’d be looking for excuses, too,” replied the governor, who said Republicans in the Senate refused to put a transportation bill up for a hearing.

The bi-partisan supplemental budget, that passed the Senate with just one no vote, adds $58 million for basic education but does not include cost-of-living increases for teachers and does not close any tax exemptions, both things that were initially proposed by the House.

While lawmakers approved several other bills before adjourning, including one that would allow military veterans to pay in-state college tuition without waiting a year to establish Washington residency, several other bills died, including one that sought to merge the state’s medical marijuana system with the new recreational system.

MyNorthwest News

Bellevue police...

James Lynch

Bellevue police launch emphasis patrols after 163% spike in speeding tickets

Bellevue police intensify patrols after a 163% rise in speeding tickets, aiming to enhance road safety.

3 hours ago

aircraft fuelers...

Frank Sumrall

Over 150 Sea-Tac aircraft fuelers vote ‘overwhelmingly’ to authorize strike

More than 150 fuelers at Sea-Tac voted to strike after contract talks fail, threatening airport operations and traveler convenience.

4 hours ago

The scene as police respond to a protest on UW campus. (Photo courtesy of ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ 7)...

Jonah Oaklief and Frank Sumrall

4 face judge after chaotic protest, standoff at UW ends in 32 arrests

Four appeared in court Tuesday after a protest at the University of Washington led to 32 arrests.

5 hours ago

wildfires wa...

Luke Duecy

WA concerned federal government won’t help fight wildfires this year

State officials are sounding the alarm over a lack of federal resources and support in a year the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) predicts will be an "above-average" year for wildfires, especially across Eastern Washington.

7 hours ago

benson boone beautiful things...

MyNorthwest Staff

WA pop star to bring ‘beautiful things’ to Climate Pledge Arena

Benson Boone, the Monroe-raised pop sensation and Grammy-nominated breakout star, has announced his first headlining arena tour — and he’s coming home to the Climate Pledge. 

10 hours ago

king county lawsuit...

Frank Sumrall

King County joins national lawsuit challenging new conditions to receive federal grant money

King County joined seven other jurisdictions in a lawsuit against HUD and FTA after more conditions were added in order to grant funding to local governments.

12 hours ago

Blame game as state lawmakers adjourn without transportation budget