WA House and Senate lawmakers release $71 billion supplemental operating budget plans

Washington state House and Senate lawmakers announced their supplemental operating budget proposals Monday, with each chamber dedicating most of the funding to K-12 education and behavioral health.

Senate lawmakers are proposing a $71.7 billion supplemental operating budget, adding approximately $1.9 billion in new spending.

“A lot of thought and discussion with many different people and organizations went into shaping this plan, helping us pinpoint where and how to make new targeted investments,” said Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, during a news conference Monday.

House lawmakers are proposing $71 billion, slightly under what the Senate is asking for.

“We are proud of the investments we’re presenting today,” said Rep. Timm Ormsby, D-Spokane, chair of the House Appropriations Committee. “We do not go backwards in any part of the budget, nor do we fund one program or project at the expense of another.”

Ormsby noted that lawmakers had to keep in mind the “disastrous impacts” that the six initiatives on the November ballot could have on funding for communities during the budget-drafting process.

No new taxes are included in either proposal.

Funding from the Climate Commitment Act, federal dollars leftover from COVID-19, and money from a state opioid lawsuit will fund several of the projects proposed by lawmakers in the budget.

For example, both chambers are proposing $150 million in two rounds of utility rebates for hundreds of low-income households in the state. The funding for that proposal would come from the CCA.

But Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, D-Burien, warned that the second round of utility checks might not be possible if the initiative to repeal the CCA is approved by voters in November.

In 2023, lawmakers adopted a $69.2 billion operating budget for the 2023-25 biennium. Supplemental budgets, passed in even years, make adjustments to those biennial budgets, which are adopted in odd years.

The supplemental transportation budget from both the House and Senate are also scheduled to be released this week, and lawmakers are expected to vote on the operating and transportation budgets Saturday, Feb. 24.

Proposals must be negotiated between the House and Senate before a final version of the budget is adopted. Lawmakers are constitutionally required to pass a final version before the Legislature adjourns on March 7.

Here are some of the major proposals included in each budget:

Senate

One of the largest proposals in the Senate supplemental budgets this year is $242 million for K-12 schools, which includes funding for free student meals and special education.

Paraeducators would get an increase in hourly wages under the new supplemental budget proposal; that would cost the state $49.6 million.

Nearly $252 million would be allocated for Washington state’s behavioral health system, including $135.9 million for the operation of 72 beds at Olympic Heritage Behavioral Health, a mental health treatment facility in Tukwila. Lawmakers also are allocating $20 million for the University of Washington Behavioral Health teaching hospital in Seattle.

Additionally, $36 million from opioid settlements are included for things such as substance abuse disorder treatment, and tackling the state’s fentanyl crisis, according to Robinson.

Sen. Joe Nguyen, D-White Center, and vice chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said that Senate lawmakers’ goals are to be diligent and efficient with the budget for the health and wellness of the future of Washington state.

Investments will move the needle from a decarbonization perspective and also an economic development perspective, said Nguyen. He said the investments are the “cornerstone” of the operating budgets and other budgets.

House

Many of the House budget writers’ proposals are similar to what the Senate proposed.

House lawmakers are proposing $260 million for K-12, including special education and free school meals for two-thirds of Washington students.

Behavioral health would also receive $275 million under the House proposal, including $229 million for inpatient treatment at the Olympic Heritage Behavioral Health. About $27 million is invested in youth behavioral health programs.

House lawmakers are investing heavily in fentanyl and opioid treatment by proposing $200 million in the supplemental budget. About $151 million is set aside for treatment and programs, while $13 million is included for public health awareness and outreach. About $6 million is included specifically for Washington Tribes to cope with the public health crisis.

Housing and human services are also included in the House proposal, with $40 million dedicated to homelessness services, $73 million for food services such as senior meal programs, and $35 million in support for asylum seekers and refugees.