Spec Sess Day 24: Democrats to roll out budget

OLYMPIA — House and Senate Democrats will release their latest 2013-15 operating budget plan this afternoon, with a press conference at 12:15 p.m. and a hearing in the House Appropriations Committee at 1:30 p.m.

Whether it’s a budget that can pass both houses in the week that remains in the current special session remains to be seen. Leaders of the majority coalition in the Senate said Tuesday they were still opposed to higher taxes, so if it relies on closing tax exemptions or extending temporary taxes, it could be in for tough sledding in the Senate.

And the coalition is back to an actual 25-vote majority this morning with the swearing-in of Republican Steve O’Ban to the seat left open by the death of Sen. Mike Carrell.