Today the Washington Legislature went from zero to sixty in terms of action.

After nearly three weeks of little action- though budget negotiations continued – the House Democrats and Senate Democrats released a proposed operating budget and a smaller revenue package.

The release of a proposed budget comes on the heels of action earlier this week and late last week  regarding the estate tax. Late last week the House Finance Committee moved legislation to fix a loophole in the state’s estate tax that was caused by a Supreme Court decision earlier this year. The Senate Ways & Means committee voted on its response to the court decision earlier this week.

Yesterday Governor Inslee held a press conference urging movement towards a final budget. With one week left the Governor expressed his increasing concern, especially given the differences between the Senate and the House to address the estate tax, about the lack of progress.  He stated again and again that seven days remain to get the job done.

Today the House and Senate Democrats released a proposed operating budget and revenue package at noon followed by a public hearing on the revenue package and an executive session on the proposed budget.

It is expected that the House will convene on the floor tomorrow and Friday to pass the proposed budget and revenue package as well as some additional policy bills. The Senate is also expected to convene to consider its proposed estate tax legislation and a bill to increase penalties for DUIs.