Fairley says she hopes budget deal will end special session

By Evan Smith
ShorelineAreaNews Politics Writer

The Legislature apparently has reached an agreement on the State budget that will bring the special session to an end, but 32nd District Sen. Darlene Fairley told me Wednesday night that she is holding her breath, hoping that the agreement gets approved before the session reaches its scheduled end next week.

Fairley said that leaders of the Senate and House had polled members about the settlement negotiated between budget teams from the Senate and House Democratic caucuses.

Leaders say that they have the votes to pass the package that includes no general sales-tax increase but does include a tax on bottled water, temporary tax increases on beer and soda pop, and a surcharge on the business-and-occupations tax.

“There is still so much to talk about and things could go sideways,” Fairley said. “After 16 years. I've seen it happen. So I'm holding my breath until midnight Tuesday.”