The Caucus Newsroom
Billions in new schools, colleges and parks are at stake
Should Washington allocate $1 billion for new public school construction and $800 million for colleges and universities, or should we put all those construction projects on hold? That seems like a silly question. Washington state is growing fast, and we...
$4 billion in projects and jobs at risk
The state capital budget (House Bill 1075) funds $4.18 billion in construction projects around the state. Those projects are vital to our schools, universities, parks, environment and economy. Now that the House voted 92-1 to pass House Bill 1075, the legislation...
Links to 2017-19 budget documents now live
Below are the 17-19 budget details provided by nonpartisan staff for the proposed negotiated budget between the House and Senate. OPR (nonpartisan) Summary document: https://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/Budget/Detail/2017/hoSummary_0630.pdf Agency Detail: https://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/Budget/Detail/2017/hoAgyDetail_0630.pdf Four-Year Budget Outlook: https://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/Budget/Detail/2017/hoOutlook_0630.pdf Budget bill (PSSB 5883): https://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/Budget/Detail/2017/hoBill_0630.pdf Brief summary of...
Google Map: The true numbers behind the Democratic and Republican education plans
Democrats and Republicans have endorsed competing plans to fund education and satisfy the state Supreme Court’s McCleary decision. Both sides agree additional revenue sources are needed to meet the state’s obligations. But the two plans vary greatly in the total...
The time for partisanship is over. Let’s negotiate.
By Timm Ormsby and Kristine Lytton The regular legislative session in Olympia has come and gone. Many bills were proposed, and negotiations between Democrats and Republicans ended in sound policy. Unlike Congress, the state Legislature has much less partisan conflict....