After a 105-days of work, the Washington State Legislature officially adjourned its Regular Session on Sunday (April 28).
Late yesterday, Governor Inslee announced a Special Session will begin on May 13th at 9:00AM. State budget writers will meet in Olympia for the next two weeks in an attempt to work out a budget agreement.
In addition to agreeing on a state budget, the Governor called on state lawmakers to work on several policy bills that didn’t make it out during the Regular Session.
The #waleg has adjourned. Legislators must still balance budget with more edu funding, pass a transpo package. Special session to begin 5/13
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) April 29, 2013
Senate Republicans, meanwhile, called for a focus on the state operating budget and a priority list of jobs bills during the Special Session.
Let's focus on jobs, budget for special session: http://t.co/AdmrdTMWkM #waleg
— WA Senate Republicans (@WashingtonSRC) April 29, 2013
On its final day in the Regular Session, the State Legislature did manage to pass a transportation budget, but a wider transportation package is among the issues Governor Inslee wants lawmakers to consider in the Special Session.
Wash. state Legislature passes transportation budget on final day of regular session (by @jekaminsky): http://t.co/m8l7uPZKYF #waleg
— Rachel La Corte (@rachel_la_corte) April 29, 2013
In other legislative news, House Republicans elected State Rep. Dan Kristiansen (R-39th Legislative District) as their new Minority Leader on Saturday (April 27). Kristiansen replaces Rep. Richard DeBolt (R-20th Legislative District) who recently stepped down due to health concerns.