OLYMPIA The state Senate labored through a rare Saturday session to pass billion dollar budgets that will pay for running government, building roads and investing in school and community programs.
Legislators endured some partisan turbulence as they worked to approve budgets of $33.3 billion for operations, $8.1 billion for transportation and $4.2 billion for capital projects.
Most of the differences centered on the Democratic majority’s operating budget proposal, which calls for spending roughly $2 billion more in the next budget than in the current one.
Half that sum is poured into education at all levels, including the start of all-day kindergarten and the adding of 10,000 college enrollment slots.
The budget provides health coverage for more poor children and it sets aside $766 million into savings. The total includes $157 million in a “rainy day” fund accessible only with a vote of a supermajority of legislators.
“We do all this and more without a tax increase,” said state Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, the Senate’s chief budget writer.
Republicans didn’t challenge many outlays. Instead, they raised a flag of caution at the volume of spending.
“My concern isn’t about the good things we are trying to do,” said Sen. Joseph Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, the Republicans’ ranking member on the Senate budget panel. “The real point is whether stability is in air with this budget.”
Republicans said spending exceeds revenues in this budget, leaving the state vulnerable for the day when the hot economy turns icy cold.
Sen. Craig Pridemore, D-Vancouver, responded: “Someday is not today.”
The Senate’s votes come less than a week after the House of Representatives approved its versions of the three budgets. Leaders of the two chambers along with the governor will now begin working to iron out differences and craft a compromise.
The Legislature will need to adopt all three before its scheduled adjournment April 22.
The Senate’s $8.1 billion transportation budget aims to “keep the promise” that all major road projects approved in 2005 will be done on time despite rising costs, said Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, who penned the transportation budget.
It does delay funding for two years for all ferry terminal projects, including in Mukilteo. That undertaking is already beset by delays due to land issues and the discovery of archaeological evidence of a potentially significant Native American village.
The Senate budget provides $140 million to buy four new 144-car ferry vessels. No money is earmarked for vessels to replace the aging Steel Electric ferry used on the Keystone to Port Townsend route.
On Saturday, Democrats rebuffed one of their own in rejecting funds to ensure completion of the proposed offramp to the University of Washington’s Bothell campus.
Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, sought $6.2 million to cover higher costs of construction. Without the offramp, the school cannot increase its enrollment, which hurts potential students, she said.
Sen. Janea Holmquist, R-Moses Lake, tried unsuccessfully to suspend the state’s cable barrier program until a study on their safety ordered by the governor is finished this month.
“Let’s wait until we get the results and let the public and legislators weigh in before we spend more money,” she said.
Haugen opposed, saying any barrier is always better than having no barrier.
The Senate’s proposed $4.2 billion capital budget drew the least conflict and contains one of the most important provisions for Snohomish and Island counties.
As approved, the budget provides $1.5 million for a study to determine what kind of higher education institution is needed. For most, that means deciding between a branch campus of the University of Washington and an independent four-year university.
Senators also agreed to put up $2.5 million for buying land or securing options on property.
While proposals from Gregoire and the House endorse the study, the Senate budget is the only one with money for buying land.
The capital budget also includes $187,000 for the Marysville food bank, $800,000 for the Lake Stevens Civic Center, $675,000 for the Brightwater Education Facility and a total of $4.6 million for YMCA affiliates in Snohomish County.
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360- 352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
Capital: House Bill 1092
Transportation: House Bill 1094
Operating: House Bill 1128
To read the bills, go to www.leg.wa.gov.
For full budget details, go to http://leap.leg.wa.gov.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
