Dueling state budgets on the table now in Olympia

OLYMPIA — Senate Republicans proposed a no-new-taxes budget Tuesday that pours billions of more dollars into public schools to meet a demand by the state Supreme Court — but not voters.

GOP leaders said their budget meets the needs of the state and residents in the next two-year budget cycle. And because it doesn’t raise taxes, as House Democrats propose, the Senate plan is a blueprint for ensuring the Legislature can adjourn on time, Republicans said.

“I think the budget we rolled out here is one that everyone can vote for,” said state Sen. Andy Hill, R-Redmond, the chamber’s chief budget writer. “Our only goal was to provide the services that matter, what people expect and deserve from state government, without calling on families and businesses to send us more money.”

The Senate Republicans’ plan calls for $37.8 billion in spending in the next biennium, with the single largest of new spending going to education.

Republicans are earmarking $1.3 billion to comply with a state Supreme Court order to fund the full cost of basic education in public schools. Those dollars will pay for materials and supplies, provide all-day kindergarten statewide and reduce the size of classes in kindergarten through third grade.

But the Senate budget, like the one House Democrats released last week, doesn’t pay for smaller class sizes in other grades, as required by Initiative 1351, approved by voters in November. Rather, Republican senators want to put the measure back on the ballot in hopes voters will support smaller classes in the lower grades only.

House Democrats have proposed to spend $38.8 billion in the next budget and want to pay for some it with revenue from a new capital gains tax and an increase in a business tax levied on professional services.

On Thursday, the House and Senate are scheduled to vote on their respective budgets. After that, budget writers will begin serious negotiations to reconcile differences. The 105-day legislative session is scheduled to end April 26.

Two items of interest in Snohomish County received different treatment in the Senate budget compared to the House proposal.

The GOP plan provides no money to increase the mapping of landslide-prone areas using technology known as Light Distance and Ranging, or Lidar. Images obtained with Lidar can provide a sophisticated understanding of geological dangers.

Following the deadly Oso mudslide last year, the state Department of Natural Resources requested $6.6 million to map more areas and hire more geologists to evaluate applications to cut timber in areas with unstable slopes or a potential for landslides.

“I’m absolutely disappointed,” Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark said in an email. “In the wake of the Highway 530 landslide, it is concerning that there is no funding proposal to map our state’s landslides and other geologic hazards.

“In addition, the budget provides nothing to improve the review of thousands of timber-harvest applications, some of which are on potentially unstable and steep slopes,” he wrote.

House Democrats propose $4.5 million for the agency in its budget, and that drew criticism from Goldmark.

Washington State University’s effort to expand in Everett, meanwhile, did get a boost in the GOP plan.

There is $4.5 million for WSU to launch degree programs in software engineering, sustainable food systems, data analytics and aviation management at the University Center at Everett Community College. This is more than double the amount WSU would get under the House budget proposed last week.

The Senate proposal looks to transfer about $375 million from more than a dozen different accounts to the state’s general fund. An additional $296 million will come from permanently shifting the distribution of the marijuana taxes — which currently go to health programs, among others — to education. The budget would allocate $2.5 million to the Department of Health for marijuana education.

House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan and Democratic Rep. Reuven Carlyle issued a joint statement that said the Senate plan is “an unsustainable budget that relies on gimmicks, gambles and a lot of marijuana.”

In a written statement, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee urged House and Senate lawmakers to work quickly to compromise on a final budget plan.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Employees and patrons of the Everett Mall signed a timeline mural that traces the history of the 51-year-old indoor mall that was once considered the premier place to go shopping in the city. Thursday, March 20, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Mall mural offers nostalgic trip into the past

Past and present Everett Mall employees joined customers Thursday to view an artistic timeline of the once popular shopping mecca.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen gives his State of the City address on Thursday, March 20 in Edmonds, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor talks budget at 2025 State of the City

Mayor Mike Rosen discussed the city’s deficit and highlights from his first year in office.

Daron Johnson, who runs Snohomish County Scanner, stands next to his scanner setup on Tuesday, April 1 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Snohomish County law enforcement to encrypt police airwaves

The plan for civilian police scanners to go dark pushed a host to shut down his popular breaking news feed.

Richie Gabriel, 1, jumps off the bottom of the slide as Matthew Gabriel looks down at him from the play structure at Hummingbird Hill Park on Monday, March 31, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds residents show up for Hummingbird Hill Park, Frances Anderson Center

After a two-and-a-half hour public comment session, the council tabled its votes for the two comprehensive plan amendments.

Students Haddie Shorb, 9, left, and brother Elden Shorb, 11, right, lead the ground breaking at Jackson Elementary School on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett district breaks ground on Jackson Elementary replacement

The $54 million project will completely replace the aging elementary school. Students are set to move in by the 2026-27 school year.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Another positive measles case identified in Snohomish County

The case was identified in an infant who likely contracted measles while traveling, the county health department said.

A Tesla drives along 41st Street on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Washington faces uncertain future of Clean Air Act regulations

The Trump administration’s attempt to roll back numerous vehicle pollution standards has left states wondering what’s next.

A person walks through the lot at Kia of Everett shopping for a car on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘The tariffs made me do it’: Customers move fast on cars

At one Everett dealership, customers move fast on cars ahead of Wednesday’s expected announcement on tariffs.

Public’s help needed to find missing Arlington man

The 21-year-old left the house Sunday night without his shoes, cell phone or a jacket, and was reported missing the following morning.

Will Geschke / The Herald
The Marysville Tulalip Campus on the Tulalip Reservation, where Legacy High School is located.
Marysville board votes to keep Legacy High at current location

The move rolls back a decision the school board made in January to move the alternative high school at the start of next school year.

The former Marysville City Hall building along State Avenue on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
City of Marysville, school board amend property exchange

The city will relocate its public works facility to the district’s current headquarters, which will move to the former City Hall.

Snohomish County Elections employees Alice Salcido, left and Joseph Rzeckowski, right, pull full bins of ballots from the Snohomish County Campus ballot drop box on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County to mail ballots for Edmonds, Brier elections

Registered voters should receive their ballots by April 9 for the April 22 special election.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.