OLYMPIA — The state Legislature will likely have to go into overtime this session to reconcile differences between the House’s Democratic budget and the Senate’s Republican budget, two North Olympic Peninsula representatives said.
With only three days left until the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn, Sequim Democrats Rep. Steve Tharinger and Rep. Kevin Van De Wege said they expect to see a special session to come up with a compromise after Senate Republicans, in a surprise move, seized control Friday and passed their own budget.
“It’s going to take more time to reconcile the numbers,” Tharinger said.
The Senate budget passed in a 25-24 vote with the help of three Democrats who crossed the aisle to support the more conservative fiscal plan.
It includes a net cut of $44 million to K-12 schools, $30 million to higher education, and eliminates the Disability Lifeline program, which provides health care for unemployable adults not covered by federal Social Security benefits, The Seattle Times reported.
The Republican budget also would leave $502 million in reserves, $133 million more than proposed by Democrats. While it includes cuts to education, the Senate budget does not include a $330 million delayed payment to school districts as proposed by Democrats.
Van De Wege heavily criticized the Senate Republicans for introducing and passing their own budget Friday, less than a week before the Legislature was set to adjourn. Van De Wege said that left no chance for the budget to be vetted by the public.
“I am frustrated as I am disappointed in watching somebody that was very, very thirsty for power and as soon as they got it they abused it,” he said.
“How they can sleep at night is beyond me.”
Tharinger also said he was disappointed.
“It just wasn’t a very transparent and open process,” he said.
In interviews Friday, school district superintendents on the Peninsula said budgets proposed by the Democrats would leave them unaffected, except for a one-day delayed payment next year. The delayed payment would save the state $330 million but add those costs to the next biennial budget.
On Saturday, Port Angeles School District Superintendent Jane Pryne said funding now remains up in the air.
“We’ll just have to wait and see for now,” she said.
Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, voted against the GOP budget.
Hargrove, Tharinger and Van De Wege represent the 24th Legislative District, which includes Clallam and Jefferson counties and a portion of Grays Harbor County.
Hargrove couldn’t be reached for comment.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
