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Inslee to call second special session as budget deal flounders

Published  May 28, 2015 12:18pm PDT
Associated Press

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — With lawmakers so far unable to agree on a two-year state operating budget, Gov. Jay Inslee is expected to call for a second special legislative session.

Inslee spokeswoman Jaime Smith said the governor would likely announce that the special session would begin Friday morning.

Lawmakers adjourned their regular, 105-day session last month and then returned for a special session that is to conclude Thursday. Leaders of the Democratically-led House and Republican-controlled Senate have been unable to strike a spending deal.

Lawmakers this year are tasked with writing a budget for the state under the shadow of the state Supreme Court's McCleary decision, which mandates that more money be spent on education.

The new fiscal year begins July 1. If the budget hasn't been approved by June 30, the state may have to shut down some of its operations.