WA Lege SpecSess: Into caucus

OLYMPIA — Senators have been called into a caucus, where Democratic members at least will hear of discussions that took place over the weekend and talk about plans to re-introduce several “jobs” bills — proposals designed to boost the economy.

Among the jobs bills is an exemption for certain data centers.

Negotiators were busy over the weekend, Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, said before going into the caucus, and the two houses “exchanged paper” and got closer on the amount of taxes they believe they’ll have to raise to balance the budget.

“They’ve gone up a little on their revenue; we’ve gone down a little,” Murray said.

 Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, said there has been movement, but no agreement. “We’ll have to get together in a room with the governor and work things out.”

The plan is for the Senate to pass its budget bill from the regular session, send it to the House, where majority Democrats will drop their proposal on top of it, thus creating a vehicle for discussion.