The Washington State Legislature approved the following bills during last week's Special Session in Olympia:
SB 6444, ESSB 6444 makes modifications to the state's operating budget in an attempt to close an estimated $2.8 billion budget gap by reducing spending by $829 million and increasing collection from taxes by $918 million, passing the Senate, 25-19. As of VBJ's press time, the measure was before the House for consideration.
SB 5899, ESSB 5899 provides a B&O tax credit for new qualified employment positions for businesses with 20 or fewer employees, passing the Senate last week 44-0. Sen. Don Benton (R-Vancouver) was excused.
HB 2561, EHB 2561 creates the Jobs Act through public facility construction projects, authorizing the state to issue $861 million in general obligation bonds for that purpose, passing the House, 54-39. Rep. Ed Orcutt (R-Kalama) joined regional GOP House colleagues in opposing the measure.
