Legislative Commentary

Most lawmakers are back home while those involved in negotiations, and leaders like me, have spent much of these past four weeks at the Capitol.

Once the negotiating teams reach agreements that are ready to go before the full Senate and House, everyone will return to Olympia for the votes needed to bring our work to a close for the year.

There is progress on reforming the state’s education-funding system and figuring out the K-12 portion of the new state budget (which will be the largest part, so it takes priority).

But the negotiators for our Senate majority don’t foresee an agreement being r...