OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Republican legislators on Tuesday pushed back against Gov. Jay Inslee’s veto threat of the nearly 40 bills that are currently sitting on his desk.
“That would be a very poor decision,” said Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville.
Inslee’s veto threat of various non-budget bills, including declaring human trafficking day, represents his frustration that lawmakers have had 58 days to come up with a budget and are still deadlocked at the 11th hour.
“How many times do I have to say your bills are going to get vetoed if you don’t do your job and pass a budget,” Inslee asked at a press conference on Monday.
“There are 37 bills that passed unanimously,” Schoesler said of the bills that currently sit on Inslee’s desk for signature.
Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, noted that many of the bills that sit on Inslee’s desk for a signature had wide bipartisan support.
“There’s a number of, I think, bills on both sides that would be difficult for him to veto,” said Padden. “I don’t know how serious he was.”
Here are some of the major sticking points:
- Solving teacher shortage crisis
- Saving charter schools
- Wildfire combat and prevention money
- Funding mental health treatment
Lawmakers have until midnight Thursday to reach a deal. Otherwise, they are expected to be called into a special session.