Special session kicks off in Olympia, with Republicans unveiling new budget proposal



OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Friday was the first day of a special legislative session in Olympia after the Legislature failed to reach a supplemental budget agreement during its 60-day regular session.

Now, both sides are blaming each other for the delay.

At the ‘Ways and Means Meeting’, Senate Republicans unveiled their newest and latest budget proposal.

“Simply to show the public and Legislature that we are working on a budget,” said Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, a budget negotiator.

“It would have been good if we had this a few days ago and I understand that we need to work back and forth,” said Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island.

On Thursday night, Gov. Jay Inslee called for an  immediate 30-day special session after legislators failed to reach a budget agreement on time. As a way to send a message, the governor vetoed 27 bills that were on his desk.

“The regular session is over but I am keeping the clock running; there is no break and no rest. Legislators need to balance the books,” said Inslee during a late night press conference.

In Olympia, Senate Democrats are blaming the Republicans for walking away from negotiations earlier in the week.

"We were criticized for going into special session, and had those negotiations continued, had this been an offer made to us directly, we could be done with our work and we could be home right now,” said House Democratic Majority Leader Pat Sullivan, D-Covington.

“That is not true. We’ve met with them every day and we delivered what we thought was a meaningful offer on Tuesday. What we received back, we didn’t view as a favorable response,” said Braun.

According to Democrats, the Republicans' proposed budget takes away millions from the blind and disabled population.

“That said, the budget is a compromise and does make some strides toward the middle and really is a step in the right direction,” Ranker said.

Both sides are working to negotiate so they can reach an agreement soon.

“You’ll see a number of smaller issues where people had concerns on both sides of the aisle that we’ve addressed and fixed,” said Sen. Andy Hill, R-Redmond.

“It’s time we end this game-playing and not rely on D.C. style of politics,” added Sullivan.

Both sides were prepared to work into the weekend, if needed, so they could reach an agreement by next week.