WA Lege Day 30: ‘Early savings’

OLYMPIA — The Senate approved a round of budget reductions as a downpayment on more cuts to come.

On a bipartisan vote, it approved the latest version of cuts first approved in the House of Representatives, ESHB 2921. Sen. Joseph Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, seemed to be foreshadowing the coming fights by noting “we are working together on some things.”

It passed 45-3.

A bill to suspend raises for most non-union state employees, with a few exceptions like college instructors who are taking on extra duties in the summer, passed 33-15.