Both chambers have a Monday, February 27 deadline for bills to pass bills out of fiscal committees, with the House Ways & Means Committee working Saturday.
In addition, a House Democratic proposal for the 2011-13 supplemental operating budget is expected to be released this week.
Lawmakers are hoping to meet a March 8 deadline to complete their work in the short 60-day session.
With a slightly better revenue forecast issued today, lawmakers may find it easier to bridge a now-projected $1.1 billion shortfall and still keep some money in the bank.
The outlook remains uncertain for the biennium, which is why Gov. Chris Gregoire wants the Legislature to leave about $600 million in reserve. The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council summed it up with:
“Our current economic forecast is very similar to our November forecast, with the same muddle-through conditions expected for the rest of the biennium, along with a high degree of downside risk.” Click here for more information on the revenue forecast announcement.
In addition, the logjam over repealing some tax exemptions may be broken, with House Republicans announcing some willingness to consider exemptions that have either outlived their usefulness or aren’t producing the expected results at this time.
Look for a new committee schedule on the WSSDA web site Friday, February 17.
