Washington lawmakers are headed back to the state Capitol this morning with a shorter to-do list on what should be the final day of the 2015 legislative session.
Late Monday, both the House and Senate passed the 2015-17 operating budget, and Gov. Jay Inslee is expected to sign it this afternoon.
That leaves a capital budget and House consideration of a statewide transportation package on today’s list.
The passage of the $38 billion operating budget means the state will avert a partial government shutdown. Parks will stay open for the holiday weekend and thousands of state employees who received temporary layoff notices will not end up losing a paycheck.
The budget bill would cut tuition at universities by about 15 percent, including at Washington State University. Lawmakers considered ending the sales tax exemption that exists for Oregonians who shop in Washington, but the final budget kept the exemption intact.
The transportation revenue package being considered in the House today would raise $16.1 billion and dedicate $50 million to replace the antiquated Northeast 179th Street interchange on Interstate 5 and $98.7 million to rebuild the interchange at Interstate 5 and Mill Plain Boulevard.
The Senate approved the package Monday night.
Several Clark County Republicans have said they will vote against the package, but Democrats hold the majority in the state House.
Today is expected to be the final day of the 2015 legislative session, which was originally slated to end in April.
This story will be updated.
