Legislature adjourns, will return in special session next week

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington Legislature adjourned Friday night, ending its regular session two days early, but only because lawmakers are already set to return for a special session to finish their work on a two-year operating budget.

Gov. Jay Inslee has called for a special session to start Wednesday, with budget negotiators from the House and Senate scheduled to resume talks Monday.

In a statement earlier this week, Inslee said he considers the operating budget and education funding the top priority of the upcoming special session, but he is also asking lawmakers to finish work on other issues, including a transportation revenue package and a capital construction budget.

He has also called for legislators to pass a series of environment-focused bills during the extended session.