OLYMPIA – State lawmakers wrapped up their monthlong special session tonight after putting the finishing touches on new operating and construction budgets.
The House and Senate adjourned shortly before 10:30 p.m.
Lawmakers’ main task in the 30-day extra session was writing a new budget which had a projected $5.1 billion shortfall.
They crafted a plan to spend $32.2 billion between July 1 and June 30, 2013 while putting $723 million in reserves.
To erase the shortfall, lawmakers pared $4.6 billion in state spending, most of it from public schools, colleges, health care programs and social services.
There are no new or new higher taxes in the budget. But there are new fees such as a $10 daily pass to enter state parks and recreation areas.
Also today, the House and Senate passed a $2.8 billion capital budget which will steer several million dollars into projects in Snohomish County. The list includes $500,000 to help rebuild the Sultan Boys & Girls Club which burned down last year.
One bill that did not get passed today would have raised several transportation-related fees. Money from those fee increases was earmarked for transit agencies, road maintenance and building a new 144-car ferry.
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