House Democrats in the state Legislature have proposed a nearly $53 million budget for the next two years, a plan that will rely on new revenue such as a capital gains tax. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins talked with Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick about specifics of the proposal.
“K-12 education is taking up the bulk of the spending,” Jenkins said, as the state continues to make good on the the McCleary school-funding case.
Other priorities include mental health, higher education, early learning, and homelessness and housing services.
Despite an updated revenue forecast that shows an additional $4.5 billion through the next biennium as a result of a strong economy, House Democrats are proposing a tax package to fund their spending plan. They join Gov. Jay Inslee in making the case that the additional revenues aren’t enough.
Jenkins quoted the House finance chair, Rep. Gael Tarleton, who said: “Unfortunately, the post-Great Recession economy has not produced enough revenue to fund our current needs.”
House Democrats agree with the governor about the need for new revenue, but their tax plan looks slightly different, Jenkins said.
Listen to the conversation above for full details.
