Senate OKs $45 billion budget

OLYMPIA – Convening early on a rainy morning in the capital, the state Senate on Saturday approved plans to spend more than $45 billion over the next two years to run state government, build highways and pay for public construction projects across the state.

“Make no mistake: It may be raining today, but there’s sunshine ahead,” said Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Seattle.

She called the transportation, construction and operating budget plans a “blueprint for the future,” improving education, expanding health coverage and building on a healthy economy. The proposed budget would also sock away $766 million in savings.

“We do all this and more without a tax increase,” Prentice said.

The flurry of budget votes sets up final negotiations with the state House of Representatives during the three weeks before the April 22 adjournment deadline. The House and Senate budgets are similar in their focus on education and health care, although some differences remain. Both chambers are controlled by Democrats.

In the Senate Saturday, minority Republicans repeatedly – and unsuccessfully – tried to tack on last-minute amendments.

Sen. Bob McCaslin, R-Spokane Valley, tried to shift $250,000 into work on the Harvard Road interchange at Liberty Lake. The goal: stimulating local economic growth.

Sen. Chris Marr, D-Spokane, urged that the $250,000 stay where it was: paying for a study of Spokane as a regional transportation hub. McCaslin’s amendment failed.

Sen. Janea Holmquist, R-Ephrata, tried to set up a billion-dollar fund for five projects, including $250 million for Spokane’s North Spokane Corridor.

But the change would have stripped $1 billion from the state’s general fund, said Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island.

Holmquist also tried to pass an amendment dividing up the money destined for Seattle’s Alaskan Way Viaduct across the state unless a decision is made quickly about how to replace that aging structure.

Democrats overruled her, saying that the state needs to have the money for whatever is picked to replace the earthquake-vulnerable elevated freeway.

“We risk killing our citizens,” said Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle.

Republicans also repeatedly urged that the operating budget be pared back. The state cannot afford a big spending increase at a time when the economy is cooling, they said.

“What are we setting the citizens of the state up for in the future?” asked Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield. “I see no housing booms in the future.”

“While we’re talking about our children and Little Johnny … we should talk about the credit cards that their family here in Olympia are running up to the max,” said Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville.

Sen. Craig Pridemore – who at a recent hearing pointedly quoted Zarelli’s inaccurate prediction of a big deficit this year – said the Democrat-written spending plan is responsible.

“This is not a time for doom and gloom,” said Pridemore, D-Vancouver. “This is the time for optimism.”