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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spin Control

WA Lege SpecSess: No deal, Lucille

OLYMPIA -- Reports of a "deal" between House and Senate Democratic leaders on the taxes and budget package appear to be greatly exaggerated.

The Senate was briefly in session today, passing a bill that allows a 25 cent tax to help fund Enhanced 911 service. Democrats had a caucus afterwards, but it was over quickly.

Senate sources say there's been "movement" toward a deal, but no actual deal. Gov. Chris Gregoire echoed that during an impromptu press conference: Her information was that legislators "had discussions that shown progress...We do not have a deal."

Unlike last week, when she used words like disappointed and disgusted, Gregoire was more upbeat: "I'm hopeful." Asked what movement had taken place on which sticking points, she said she didn't want to jinx anything. "It's premature for me to say much more than this."



Jim Camden
Jim Camden joined The Spokesman-Review in 1981 and retired in 2021. He is currently the political and state government correspondent covering Washington state.

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