Lawmakers reach deal, avert government shutdown

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday morning that lawmakers have reached a deal on the budget just days away from a shutdown of state government.



Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday morning that lawmakers have reached a deal on the budget just days away from a shutdown of state government.

“I am happy and I know we are all relieved to report to you that lawmakers have reached agreement on an operating budget for the next biennium,” Inslee said in a statement.

”This allows us to avert a government shutdown on Monday.”

He said that lawmakers will move as quickly as possible to pass the budget in order for him to sign it.

“They say that can be done by 5 p.m. Friday,” Inslee said.

The state had sent out layoff notices to 26,000 employees earlier this week. The deal allows state government to continue to operate and workers to report to their jobs on Monday.

It also will mean that thousands of people who have reservations for campgrounds on state lands during the busy Fourth of July week can go ahead with their plans.