Local legislator says that slow progress towards state budget is frustrating

Evan Smith

By Evan Smith

Democratic State Rep. Ruth Kagi said last week that the legislature's slow progress on writing a state budget is frustrating to both legislators and their constituents.

She said this as she predicted that the legislature would be unable to reach agreement on a state budget by the time the Legislature finishes its second special session Wednesday, June 21, forcing Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee to call a third 60-day special session starting Thursday, June 22, to finish a state budget.

After a 105-day regular session and two 60-day special sessions, the Democratic-controlled State House of Representatives and the Republican-controlled State Senate have been unable to reach agreement on a state budget, particularly on how to provide full state support for public schools.

If legislators don't have a 2017-2019 budget by June 30, most of state government would shut down.

Kagi represents the 32nd Legislative District including the city of Shoreline, part of northwest Seattle, Woodway and nearby unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County, south Edmonds, the city of Lynnwood and part of Mountlake Terrace

She is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, chairwoman of the committee on early learning and social services, and a member of the Environment Committee.