GOP refusal to work on capital budget threatens projects
OLYMPIA — With a critical deadline near, Senate Republicans’ refusal to negotiate a new capital budget could mean dozens of nonprofit groups and Edmonds Community College will not receive state funds they’ve sought to expand services and construct new buildings.
GOP senators are insisting an agreement be reached on water rights policy in the wake of the Hirst decision before they’ll engage in talks on a capital spending plan, a historic fount of funds for public schools and colleges, community groups and youth organizations throughout Washington.
But the Republican-led Senate and Democrat-controlled House entered the weekend at an impasse on a response to the court’s Hirst ruling, which effectively eliminated the ability of property owners to drill a well without a permit.
Now, with a potential shutdown looming this week, lawmakers could run out of time to iron out differences between the proposed capital budgets each chamber passed in April. This could lead them to enacting a budget that only funds previously approved contracts and makes no new appropriations.
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