The Washington Senate has passed a $43 billion two-year state budget proposal that relies, in part, on a statewide property tax earmarked for education, while also making cuts to some social services.
The spending plan, which cleared the Republican-controlled Senate on a 25-24 vote early Friday morning, would raise property taxes in some districts, while lowering them for others in the state. The 2017-19 general operating budget covers most state programs and salaries not connected to transportation.
A key element of that budget is an effort to comply with the state Supreme Court’s order to supply all the money needed for basic public school education. The tax plan would change the way the state sends money to the districts, although lawmakers debated whether all would receive more money.
The budget also would reject wage contracts negotiated for state employee unions, except those that represent the Department of Corrections and the Washington State Patrol. It proposes replacing them with $500-per-year raises, although the rejected contracts would have to be renegotiated. The budget proposal and other legislation attached to it must still go to the House, where majority Democrats are expected to release a much different budget plan next week.
Both sides then will begin the work of negotiating a final compromise that must satisfy a state Supreme Court mandate on education funding. (AP, Spokesman-Review)
