OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington state Legislature will likely head into a special session that will cost taxpayers $18,000 per day.
Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane says it's "doubtful" legislators can wrap up the session by Thursday night's midnight deadline.
The Senate and House are finalizing a budget and a tax plan to help balance it. The Senate prefers a sales tax. The House is looking at eliminating exemptions for items like bottled water and candy.
"We're still in negotiations on both a revenue package and what the budget should look like," said Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle. While no one wants to go into overtime, Murray says no one wants to rush anything through either. "I don't think the citizens of this state want us to come back in June or September. They want us to stay here a few more days and get it done and get it right."
Every day the Legislature is in session costs taxpayers an estimated $18,000. That covers food and lodging for lawmakers. It pays for extra security at the Capitol and for the staff who only work when the Legislature is in session.
But, Republicans say delaying budget cuts could end up costing the state millions in potential savings.
"If we wait a week or a month to implement savings, that's a moment we can't capture," said Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville.
Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, said it's "aggravating" to think about going into a special session, but Prentice said lawmakers are having a hard time balancing the budget.
"The situation we're in is certainly the worst I've ever seen. This is my 22nd year here," said Prentice. She thinks it's possible to have something done by next week. "That would be great. I have to have a tooth extraction. That would be more fun than being here."
Several Republican senators sponsored a bill Wednesday to prevent any legislator from collecting the "per diem" they would get for expenses during a special session, which is $90 a day. It's unknown whether Democrats will allow that bill to be heard.
