House passes budget, barely

Working in shirt sleeves among piles of empty coffee cups, the state House wrangled until dawn Saturday, wading through amendment after amendment to approve a state budget by a bare majority.

Most of the proposals, totaling more than 100, came from Republicans trying to restore funding for pet programs.

"If you think we're going to just roll over and give up on those things just because you've got a budget you like, you've got another thing coming," Rep. Barry Sehlin, R-Oak Harbor, told House Democrats shortly before midnight - just as the debate was beginning.

But with both parties missing members because of health problems or international travel, it was hard to muster the required 50 votes. Most amendments failed narrowly on party line votes, some after tense debate.

The budget, written largely by Senate Democrats, now goes back to the Senate for approval, perhaps late next week. Gov. Gary Locke has said he will sign it.

The all-night debate began at 11 p.m. Friday, after House Democrats, needing every vote they could muster, dispatched a state trooper to bring in one of their missing members from a cancer fund- raiser. Rep. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, whose step-daughter has leukemia, arrived shortly before midnight.

At times Saturday morning, it seemed like the two parties had switched ideologies. Republican after Republican rose and called for more government spending on the disadvantaged, the developmentally disabled and people in nursing homes, among many others.

"If you are a friend of the little people who are trying to get into their homes, I urge you to vote for this," said Rep. Dan Roach, R-Bonney Lake, touting a bill to help low-income homeowners pay utility bills.

"It's about kids," Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, said of another bill.

House Democrats, restricted by Spokane Sen. Lisa Brown's call to keep the budget as close to her spending level as possible, sounded a lot like Republicans in the predawn hours Saturday. Many praised the programs in question, but said the state needs fiscal restraint in a tough budget year.

"There's a lot of baggage being added to this particular plane," Rep. Jeff Gombosky, D-Spokane, said.

"I do sense a little bit of irony, almost a role reversal," said Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle. "We were told in the past that we were the last of the big-time spenders."

Typical was an exchange between her and Rep. Tom Campbell, R- Spanaway. Campbell was pushing an amendment to increase pay for home health care workers.

"They make about as much as fast-food workers," Campbell said.

"These are folks who take care of the frail, the disabled. ... People care a lot, but they can't make a living doing it."

Dickerson called it a worthy idea but said the state must control spending.

"This amendment adds $35 million to the budget," she told Campbell. "It's important for you to understand that."

At times, the role reversal was complete, with Democrats eagerly quoting recent Republican news releases about limiting state spending. The tactic led to an angry clash after House co-Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, bowed to increasing Republican complaints and stopped Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Sedro Wooley, from quoting another Republican press release.

"I respect your compassion for those who can dish it out but can't take it," Morris told Chopp. Several Republicans, including Rep. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, leapt to their feet and roared indignantly.

The chamber turned silent as Chopp's Republican counterpart, co- Speaker Clyde Ballard, rose to his feet and took the microphone.

"I come from the old school," he said quietly, staring at Morris. "Anytime, anyplace, OK?"

Morris, whom Chopp did not let respond, looked down as Ballard continued.

"I want us to get through this because we're colleagues," he said. "I respect you, I consider you friends. ... Please excuse the fact that we don't all agree, and let's try to conclude this tonight. We still have a lot of work here, and it's easy to melt this place down. And doing that, none of us win."

A few things proved politically impossible to fight. The Democrats started to counter Rep. Ida Ballasiotes' $5 million addition to the state's crime victims fund. Ballasiotes, R-Mercer Island, pointed out that they had included millions to provide additional guards and a ferry for sex predators on a prison island off Tacoma.

"You tell me you can't give counseling to one of their victims, or a funeral?" asked Ballasiotes, who was propelled into politics as an anticrime crusader after her daughter was killed by a parolee in Seattle. "I don't think so."

Chopp halted Democratic resistance and called his party into a brief meeting. A few minutes later, the proposal passed overwhelmingly.

In the end, the Republicans provided the minimum three votes to the Democrats' 47, and the budget was approved as dawn broke over the Capitol.

The Senate, which must now approve the minor budget changes, isn't expected to take up the matter until sometime next week.

Lawmakers are just two weeks away from a deadline to have appropriations in place or cause a partial state government shutdown. The two-year budget pays for everything from schools and state hospitals to prisons and parks. The new fiscal year begins July 1.

This sidebar appeared with the story:

STATE BUDGET

House plan

Highlights of state budget passed by the House Saturday:

Total: $22.8 billion in General Fund spending from July 1 to June 30, 2003, up 8 percent over current level.

Winners: Salaries, voter-mandated school spending, higher education enrollment, education and a strong reserve fund.

Losers: Some social services, Basic Health Program and some education programs. Unions are unsatisfied.

Reserves: $1.2 billion left unspent in three accounts.

Salaries: Teachers and state employees would get raises of 3.7 percent this fall. Next year, teachers would get another 3.1 percent and other public employees at least 2.6 percent.

Education: Basic education grants maintained, salaries are increased, and money is approved for governor's Reading Corps program, help for failing schools, school safety grants and other programs.

Higher education: Provides $31million for 3,679 new enrollment slots. Allows college trustees to boost tuition.

Construction: A separate $2.5billion budget includes money for school and college construction, salmon recovery, parks, reconstruction of the Capitol, lowincome housing, habitat and recreation projects and more.

Next: Senate expected to approve and send to the governor.

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