The 60-day legislative session concluded yesterday without the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and the Republican-controlled Senate approving a joint budget. After the Legislature adjourned the regular session last night, Governor Inslee immediately called legislators into a 30-day special session for the purpose of adopting a supplemental operating budget and passing bills necessary to implement the budget. Special sessions have become a regular occurrence since the recent Great Recession, including last session, as legislators grapple with creating a joint proposal that is agreeable to both chambers.
Last night Governor Inslee also made good on his pledge to veto bills if a budget agreement was not reached prior to the end of the regular session. The governor vetoed 27 bills last night after calling a special session, including two bills related to higher education: SB 6466, concerning services for students with disabilities in higher education and SB 6354, concerning reverse articulation agreements. Budget leaders have been working to craft supplemental operating and capital budgets since the House released its proposal on February 22nd and the Senate released its proposal on February 24th, and legislators will continue that work under the special session.
The Western Legislative Review will continue to provide updates throughout the remainder of the legislative session. You can subscribe to the blog on the right side of this page and follow WWU Government Relations on Twitter here.