Thousands of vacationers learned Thursday their plans to spend the holiday weekend camping in a state park are in serious jeopardy.
State parks officials notified roughly 10,000 holders of reservations that parks will be closed and reservations for campsites, yurts and cabins canceled if there a new budget is not in place by July 1. The written notices explained the options for getting a refund.
“Because we value our customers, we want to make sure you are aware of the situation so you can decide what works best for you as your camping vacation approaches,” the notices read. “We are sorry about the inconvenience and uncertainty this notification may cause you.”
Meanwhile Thursday, Senate Republicans unveiled a new budget proposal they hope will clinch a final deal with the House as well as a second measure aimed as a stop-gap to avert a shutdown.
The latter bill would “keep the lights on and the parks open” for one month, said Sen. Andy Hill, R-Redmond, chairman of the Senate budget committee. “We don’t think we’ll ever need to use it,” he said.
Rather, he said, the new two-year $38.2 billion spending plan released Thursday is a “significant compromise” in the ongoing negotiations.
One of the biggest moves involves pay for public school teachers. Republicans now want to not only give teachers a cost-of-living-adjustment, like House Democrats, but also provide $157 million for a one-time bonus payment this August.
The latest Senate plan also increases spending on early learning, mental health and human service programs to get closer to the levels of spending sought by the House.
Saturday marks the end of the second special session for the Legislature. If no budget is approved, Gov. Jay Inslee would need to call a third extra session.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
