Tentative Budget deal reached, state shutdown avoided

OLYMPIA – Governor Jay Inslee and bipartisan leaders announced they have reached a tentative deal on a 2015-2017 operating budget for the state of Washington.

Few details were released about specifics of the tentative deal but Gov. Inslee says this will prevent a government shutdown and furlough of thousands of state workers on Wednesday.

“It was a long process, but in the end we have agreed to a budget that moves this state forward in many important ways,” Inslee said. “This budget allows us to make a major step toward meeting our obligation to Washington’s children and to the state constitution to adequately fund education. And I’m particularly pleased that it also allows funding of our collective bargaining agreements and will give teachers a long-overdue and well-deserved cost of living adjustment.”

Legislators say there are still details to be ironed out, but are confident the agreement will be voted on by July 1st.

Outline of the bipartisan agreement on 2015–17 operating budget