Next Monday starts the final week of the 105-day regular session (adjournment is scheduled for Sunday). There remains an enormous amount of work to do if lawmakers are to finish on time — focusing mostly on passing a budget and a possible revenue package.
The House took a step toward a revenue plan today, hearing a proposal to temporarily boost the sales tax by 0.3%, with the proceeds being used to reduce health care cuts (both Harborview and UW Medical Center would benefit from the funds). Voters would have to approve the measure at the ballot. Joe Turner at The News Tribune has a report on this morning’s hearing; a committee vote to move the proposal forward is expected tonight.
We also continue to work out final language on all of our request bills. This is the time of session when action is unpredictable and intense. We should have a better idea by Monday about how the final week is shaping up — it certainly won’t lack for drama.