State lawmakers seem destined for a special session to reach a deal on a new two-year budget – and Gov. Jay Inslee knows it.
Inslee said Tuesday he has not made any decision on when it would begin but wanted legislators to get “as much done as humanly possible” before the regular session ends Sunday.
“I am going to urge people to be as diligent as possible and hope for the best,” Inslee told reporters shortly before meeting privately with leaders of the Senate Republican Caucus. Inslee is to meet with the Democrat leaders Thursday.
House Democrats and Senate Republicans have been unable to find a path around the big boulders blocking a compromise on the budget with negotiations occurring at a glacial pace.
Many lawmakers began the session cautiously optimistic they could finish on time. Now, reality is setting in that they may be in Olympia awhile. A similar budget impasse in 2013 led to two special sessions and near government shutdown.
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