WA Lege Day 47: Budget hearings

OLYMPIA — The Ways and Means committees for both chambers have hearings this afternoon on their respective operating budget proposals.

The challenge may be greater for the House W&M panel, however, because at this point, House Democrats have not yet spelled out the “means” to pay for their “ways.” They have not yet released a tax package to explain how they’d add $857 million of new tax revenue into their budget; they’ve only spelled out cuts and fund transfers, which aren’t enough to cover the projected $2.8 billion deficit.

Before the 1:30 p.m. committee hearings, the House will be taking up a few other revenue issues, such as a toll on I-405 express lanes.