State budget passes both chambers

The Senate and House passed the Senate’s proposed supplemental budget which intends to spend billions on various sectors. The state’s spending bill is now awaiting a decision from Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.

Democratic legislators in both the Washington House and Senate released their 2021-2023 supplemental operating budgets last week. On Friday, the Senate voted 29-19, passing its proposal into the House, which voted 56-57 to pass the budget on Saturday.

Sen. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island, said the Senate’s partisan-backed funding is extensive but only because it is needed. The Senate’s proposed budget addresses behavioral health, homelessness, education, stabilizing correctional facilities and more.

“We’re never gonna agree on everything, but we do have that shared commitment and that’s what really matters,” Rolfes said.

The proposed supplemental operating budget includes $63.7 billion in state funding, a 10.5 percent increase in spending as the legislature holds a $15 billion surplus.

Rolfes said Washington could have access to cleaner water, disaster relief, affordable healthcare and more under the Senate’s new budget. Neighborhoods would be safer while the homelessness crisis is addressed at the same time.

Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, said that while some industries are still feeling the burdens of the pandemic, others are thriving. The legislature faces a unique opportunity to make significant investments into critical priority areas.

“This budget really does mark a turning point for Washington State,” Robinson said. “We hope that it will soon put the worst of the pandemic behind us.”

She said the budget attempts to reduce poverty while bolstering benefit programs to give Washingtonians a better chance at financial stability.

The legislature wants to invest $700 million into supporting homeless individuals and providing shelter to them while expanding affordable housing as well.

Legislators also appropriated $350 million toward continuing support for the paid family and medical leave program.

Another $600 million is appropriated toward supporting public schools with more funding to support the state’s early learning and child care system.

Increases are also seen in funding salmon recovery, school nurses and modernizing schools to better withstand earthquakes.

Sen. Linda Wilson, R-Vancouver, pushed back against the proposal, highlighting a common concern amongst Republicans, tax relief. She said the legislature has an opportunity to provide adequate and ongoing relief to Washingtonians that it may not have again.

“If a $15-billion surplus isn’t enough to offer tax relief,” Wilson said, “What is?”

She said the proposed budget does a lot for Washington but does little for its constituents’ trust and public safety.

Wilson questioned how an increase in Dept. of Corrections funding would make Washingtonians feel safer; how policy releasing murderers and rapists sooner than expected addresses public safety.

Rolfes said the budget does offer some relief for Washingtonians and no tax increases, but Republicans argue this is not enough. Consumers could see tax relief on diapers, small businesses, electric vehicles, solar projects and manufacturers around the state.

The budget is now onto the next stage of adoption and will reach the Governor's desk to be signed soon.

The 2022 legislative session is scheduled to end on March 10.