Democrats explore debt limit

OLYMPIA (AP) - House Democrats are starting to explore a potential compromise that would end a dispute over Washington state's debt limit.

A House panel gave narrow approval Tuesday to a plan that would reduce the state's usage of bonds to 8.5 percent of state revenues in 2018. The Legislature would also work under a suggested debt limit that would be another half-a-percent lower.

The Senate has wanted a constitutional amendment that would reduce the debt limit from 9 percent of revenues in 2016 to 7 percent in 2022. The dispute has stalled passage of a construction budget.

The new proposal drew mixed support in both parties. Democratic Rep. Hans Dunshee says the plan seeks to find a middle ground.