WA Lege Day 82: Budget to be released Monday

OLYMPIA — The House 2011-13 general fund operating budget will be released at lunchtime Monday, House Democrats said this afternoon.

Ways and Means Chairman Ross Hunter has scheduled a “roll-out” press conference for 12:15 p.m. Monday, to be followed by a public hearing at 3:30 p.m.

That has prompted government watchdogs like Jason Mercier of the Washington Policy Center to question whether this complies with state laws on adequate notice for legislation. On Friday afternoon, the schedule for Monday was changed to note the hearing was coming on a bill that is being amended, but not yet available. “Notice will be sent as soon as the document is available.”

So apparently it will be available about three hours before the hearing on what is currently a 183 page bill.