House Democrats release latest budget plan

(AP) — As the clock ticks down on Washington state's second overtime legislative session, House Democrats released their latest budget proposal Monday, a plan that doesn't include any new taxes but looks for additional revenue through closing or limiting several tax exemptions.

Inslee said tax exemptions should be the compromise that the House and Senate consider in order to reach a budget agreement quickly and avoid a partial government shutdown.

House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan said in a written statement that the base budget would put more money into the state's education system, as mandated by the state Supreme Court, and would pay for collective bargaining agreements and freeze tuition at state universities and colleges for one year.

A new two-year budget must be signed into law by midnight June 30 or else dozens of state agencies and other offices would completely or partially close and more than 26,000 workers would be furloughed, according to the state Office of Financial Management.