OLYMPIA — State lawmakers closed out their regular session Friday, but the governor is bringing them back next week for a special session to hammer out a deal on a balanced budget.
The special session will convene at 9 a.m. Tuesday and can, by law, last up to 30 days though Gov. Chris Gregoire hoped lawmakers finish sooner.
“I look forward to getting out of here as soon as possible,” she said Friday.
Gregoire, flanked by the House and Senate leaders of both parties, said the purpose of the extra time is to “address the budget. This is not Round 2. This is not another legislative session.”
She said she and the legislative leaders agreed bills needed to implement the operating and construction budgets are the focus.
They also agreed to handle workers compensation reform, a proposed constitutional amendment to reset the state’s debt limit and a transportation fee increase bill.
Lawmakers left Olympia on Friday without reaching deals on the 2011-13 operating budget or the capital construction budget. Both chambers approved budgets proposing to erase a $5.1 billion deficit with spending cuts and transfers.
House Democrats also count on getting $300 million in new revenue from privatizing the state’s liquor distribution system.
That’s one of the wrinkles to be ironed out.
Gregoire said Friday her staff provided all four caucuses with analyses showing privatizing the state’s liquor warehouse doesn’t “pan out over the long term,” which means it is now less likely to win approval.
Other budget issues to be resolved include size of tuition increases for college students, a pay cut for teachers and early release of prisoners.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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