Top Issues Come To Fore As Session Winds Down April 27 Closing Date Means Final Action Near On Welfare, Stadium, Budget And Gas Tax

Washington lawmakers have sent only a trickle of major bills to Gov. Gary Locke’s desk, but the pace is picking up as they face an adjournment deadline less than two weeks away.

Welfare, the Seahawks stadium, budget talks, and legislation on youth criminals, charter schools, the gasoline tax, same-gender marriage and other big ticket items of the session take center stage this week.

By law, the regular 105-day session must end by April 27. Republican leaders are trying to beat that by two days, to avoid spending more than one more weekend at the Capitol.

That’s a tall order.

Even with both houses controlled by the same party, nearly all of the major pieces of legislation are in flux. GOP leaders exude optimism, and, in fact, unexpectedly gave the troops the weekend off.

The Democratic governor said in an interview that he, too, has high hopes that he and the Republican Legislature can find common ground on a wide variety of issues.

He’s keeping his counsel on whether one mega-issue is resolved or still in play: welfare. On Thursday night, lawmakers sent Locke a sweeping bill that Democrats called “veto bait.” Republicans say it represents their last, best offer, but Locke is considering his options.

Here is a quick look at the top issues facing lawmakers this week:

Budget

House and Senate negotiators continue behind-the-scenes talks on ways to resolve differences on a two-year state budget. Senate budget Chairman James West, R-Spokane, said a formal negotiating committee may be created this week, with sessions open to the public.

The House has adopted an $18.99 billion version, about $103 million below the Senate and about $244 million below the governor’s level.

House appropriations Chairman Tom Huff, R-Gig Harbor, said the main differences between the Legislature and the governor are in education, level of pay raises for public employees, social services, the environment and the Basic Health Plan for the working poor.

Lawmakers also are considering construction, transportation and supplemental 1995-97 spending plans.

Welfare

Democrats expect Locke to veto the Republican-crafted welfare bill this week. The main points of disagreement include benefits for all legal immigrants and more money for subsidized child care and other support programs. The veto would trigger intense negotiation to find a compromise.

Seahawks stadium

The House is expected to vote on proposal to authorize a June vote on financing plan for a $425 million stadium project for the Seahawks. A close House vote is forecast, with at least 60 of the 98 members objecting to a key component of the plan, a 2.5 percent excise tax on licensed sports-logo items. That would punch a $100 million hole in the $325 million public share of the project. The Senate already has approved a public vote, but would have to vote on any House changes to the financing plan.

Gay marriage

The Senate may vote on a House-passed proposal to place on the ballot a ban on same-sex marriage.

Gas tax

Senate backers are hoping to line up enough votes this week to pass a two-step, 7-cents-a-gallon increase in the 23-cent gas tax. The plan, currently awaiting a vote in the Senate Transportation Committee, would permit passage of a $3.9 billion state transportation budget. Prospects for legislative passage are considered fair at best.