Hirst & Capital Budget Pt 1
I'm Bob Larson. After working overtime through two special sessions, the legislature managed to pass an operating budget, but working out a capital budget continues under a cloud of distrust.After calls from several House Democrats, Governor Jay Inslee vetoed the B&O tax cut his staff negotiated into the budget.
One of the big items many Republicans like Senator Sharon Brown of the Tri Cities hope to work into the capital budget is a fix to the State Supreme Court's Hirst decision that restricts drilling wells on rural lands ...
SHARON BROWN ... "No, I'm really hopeful that we will get a Hirst fix. It's absolutely crucial that we get a Hirst fix. And again, it's just another slap in the face of rural Washington, that the governor is pandering to special interest groups in the greater metropolitan Seattle area."
Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler agrees ...
MARK SCHOESLER ... "I think the morally repugnant thing is ignoring for six months that there is a water problem in the rural areas of our state."
And, Schoesler says many are acting like the decision was never made ...
MARK SCHOESLER ... "What they didn't do, is ever once, vote on a water plan. And I think that rural Washington is entitled to a real vote on a real water plan, not just an ostrich approach to water."
Many Republicans say they're ready to play hard ball with Democrats unless the House yields and allows well drilling.
Listen tomorrow for more on what could happen without a meeting of the minds.