WA Lege Day 99: Senate to debate budget

OLYMPIA — The Senate is expected to take up its version of the general fund operating budget today, the last day of the session that can be counted without three digits.

Legislators and Gov. Chris Gregoire conceded  late last week that a special session is going to be needed to get general fund, capital and transportation budgets passed out of both chambers and the differences negotiated. The real question now is how much will get done before the Legislature takes a break for Easter, sometime late this week.

Secondary question: How long will it take them in a special session to finish the job?