Gov. Jay Inslee has called a 2:30 p.m. news conference to discuss the progress, or lack thereof, of lawmakers to reach an agreement on a new state budget.
As of 12:30 p.m., no House or Senate members were scheduled to join him which does not bode well for any big announcements.
Meanwhile, by the time the governor gets to the podium, some state workers may have received a layoff notice telling them to not come to work next Monday unless there’s a budget in place.
State agencies delayed sending the notices this morning in hopes that leaders of the House and Senate could shake hands on a deal.
But they will “most likely” be sent before the governor meets with reporters, according to a spokeswoman for his office.
Washington’s Legislature needs to approve a budget on or before June 30 which is the last day of the fiscal year. If that doesn’t occur, most state agencies will lack authority to spend money or incur debts on July 1, precipitating a partial shutdown of government.
Some agencies will continue operating using federal dollars or money from the transportation budget or because they are constitutionally required services.
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