The House Democrats moved their 2012 supplemental operating budget to the floor yesterday, Tuesday, February 28. Several amendments were proposed, with 9 total passing. Among the amendments, several were technical in nature and do not affect the budget. Others restored partial funding to various departments such as the Department of Ecology’s Water Quality Financial Assistance program and in the State Conservation Commission. Others that passed deal with “what if” scenarios. Specifically, if the budget improves by certain amounts in 2013, funding that is currently delayed in the House budget for the K-12 sector will be restored.  None of those amendments have an impact on higher education.

In a somewhat rare occurrence, the budget was placed on final reading (known as “third reading”) last night but not voted upon. It now awaits final passage on the floor. Once that happens, the budget will move to the senate where the two chambers will begin negotiations to come to one final budget proposal.