OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington state House passed a $39 billion two-year budget Thursday evening that spends $1.4 billion to address a court mandate that requires the state to put more money into the basic education system.
The House budget passed on a 51-47 party-line vote after only slight changes to the original proposal written by the chamber’s Democratic leadership. The House hasn’t yet voted on other bills that will pay for the plan, including one that creates a capital gains tax.
In floor debate, House Republicans spoke up against the budget plan for not cutting tuition at state universities and for increasing spending to the point that the separate revenue bill will have to raise taxes.
“New taxes are not the answer,” said Rep. Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn.
Read the article at KATU.com.