Legislative Commentary

While the speed limits on our roads may be inconvenient at times, they exist for a reason. You can complain that the speed limit is too restrictive (and bills to raise speed limits on certain roads have been introduced during this legislative term) but that’s no excuse for ignoring the law.

A 2012 state law places a limit on government spending. Not only does the budget have to balance for the two-year cycle it covers (2015-17, currently), but the spending level it sets also can’t exceed the amount of available revenue expected for the following two years, meaning 2017-19.

This spending limit – we call it the four-year balanced-budget law – is the best friend Washington taxpayers have (aside from the members of our Senate majority). Unfortunately, the law has become an issue recently as the Senate and House of Representatives have worked to update the two-year operating budget adopted in 2015.

Because the House Democrats wanted to ignore the law, the Senate and House were unable to reach agreement on a supplemental budget during our 60-day regular session, which ended March 10.

The governor ordered an overtime session to begin immediately, and I have remained at the Capitol this whole time helping with budget negotiations.

As mid-week approached there were signs that we were close to shaking hands on a budget package that would be in line with the four-year balanced-budget law. I had hoped that would allow us to call the rest of the Legislature back to Olympia for the many votes needed to approve not only a supplemental budget but also the associated policy bills (and perhaps override the governor’s recent vetoes as well).

Then an issue related to home healthcare workers surfaced during the talks, and once again, it amounted to the House proposing to break the four-year balanced-budget law.

The budget talks went late into the night Thursday and resumed Friday; enough progress is being made to be optimistic about wrapping things up this coming week, after a short break so those of us who have spent this extra time in Olympia may go home and observe Easter with our loved ones.

House Democrat leaders may think the four-year balanced-budget law is inconvenient and too restrictive, but that’s no excuse for ignoring the law, and we won’t allow it.

As Sen. Andy Hill of Redmond, our budget chief, put it in an interview late this week, “They’re (House Democrats) going after a core tenet that we will not budge on.”

As the head of the Association of Washington Business wrote recently, “Those who would like to undo the law say it doesn’t allow for one-time fund transfers and other gimmicks that allow for more spending now.

But that’s exactly why it’s necessary. It’s the same reason responsible citizens don’t spend their whole paycheck on payday when they know bills are coming due.”

Following a meeting with my fellow Ninth District legislator, Rep. Joe Schmick of Colfax, and two Tri-City colleagues, the Tri-City Herald also recognized the needless obstruction caused by the Democrats’ approach: “It never should have come to this…House Democrats need to start playing by the rules and the process likely would move a lot faster.”

Hopefully the negotiations will remain on track and conclude next week. While I’m prepared to work at the Capitol as long as it takes to get to a sustainable supplemental budget, I’ve got a farm to run!

A postscript: the Washington State University regents announced today that Kirk Schulz, president of Kansas State University, has been named the 11th president of WSU.

I look forward to meeting with him – after we wrap up the legislative session, that is.

Dan Bernardo, WSU provost and executive vice president has done an exemplary job of leading WSU as acting president since the death last June of my dear friend Elson Floyd; I thank Dan for that and know he will be a great help to the new president.