Peninsula Daily News news sources
OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire is expected to announce today the details of how legislators will detail with unfinished work — the red-ink state budget.
All signs point to lawmakers returning to Olympia after Easter Sunday’s end of the legislative session for a special session.
Gregoire said has been meeting with legislative leaders to decide strategy on when to call them back to Olympia. It’s probable that most lawmakers will be on call while legislative leaders from the Senate and House, along with the Governor’s Office, hammer out a budget for 2011-13.
The entire Legislature would then be called back to Olympia to debate and vote.
The possibility of legislative overtime has loomed over Olympia all year. Lawmakers faced a daunting task of closing a deficit of more than $5 billion – the third session in a row where they’ve cut the state budget. Revenues continue to struggle as the state slowly recovers from the Great Recession.
A special session also means more costs. The Senate estimates additional costs of $20,000 a day to cover staff, interns, and other expenses. The House’s costs aren’t yet known.
Gregoire wants a clear agenda for the special session, with lawmakers focusing only key issues — like finishing the budget and changes to the workers’ compensation system.
