When the state legislature started the first week of its second special session Monday, Democratic State Reps. Ruth Kagi and Lillian Ortiz-Self both agreed with House Appropriations Committee Chairman Ross Hunter that the legislature could finish by the end of the second week in the session.
Committee Chairman Hunter has said that the legislature could finish within two weeks if the Democratic-controlled House and the Republican-controlled Senate can agree on how much to spend in the next two-year budget.
The House Democrats and Senate Republicans have been unable to reach an agreement on the budget through the regular session and the first special session.
The two sides must reach an agreement by the end of June to avoid a partial shutdown of state government.
Ortiz-Self said Wednesday that she shares Hunter’s optimism.
“I believe we can be done in two weeks,” she said. “We are starting to see movement on the budget. It may be optimistic on my part, but I don’t believe we want to see state government shut down. This would not be in anybody’s best interest.”
Kagi, a member of the Appropriations Committee, also agreed. Kagi also is chairwoman of the committee on early learning and human services. She represents the 32nd legislative district, including Lynnwood, Woodway and nearby unincorporated areas, parts of Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace, the city of Shoreline and part of northwest Seattle.
Ortiz-Self represents the 21st Legislative District. The district includes most of Edmonds, unincorporated areas north of Edmonds and Lynnwood and northeast of Lynnwood, the city of Mukilteo and part of south Everett. She is vice chairwoman of the House Education Committee and a member of both the Transportation Committee and the committee on early learning and human services.
Appropriations Committee Chairman Hunter is a Democrat representing a Bellevue-area district.
Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.
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