Wash. lawmakers race to pass $43.7 billion budget

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) – Details of a new, $43.7 billion budget for the next two years that would increase spending for public schools, mental health and state worker contracts have been released on the same day lawmakers need to vote on the plan.

The proposed 2017-2019 spending plan adds $1.8 billion for K-12 public schools, part of a multi-billion hike over four years designed to satisfy a state Supreme Court ruling that the state had not adequately funded basic education.

The budget released overnight Friday also adds $618 million for public employee collective bargaining and pay and $102 million in mental health spending.

Gov. Jay Inslee had sought more money for psychiatric care as the state’s largest mental hospital faced staffing and safety problems.

The spending plan would save $1.9 billion by not funding a 2014 voter-approved initiative to reduce class sizes.

Lawmakers are in the midst of a third overtime session, and if a new budget isn’t signed into law by midnight Friday, a partial state government shutdown starts Saturday.