Taxes, police reform and environment. Washington legislators wrap 'historic' session
Fifteen weeks ago, majority Democrats in the Washington Legislature convened a 105-day session vowing to address the fallout from COVID-19, police accountability, greenhouse gas emissions and issues of racial justice.
On Sunday, Democrats adjourned the session having accomplished much of what they set out to do, including passage of a number of sweeping bills that Gov. Jay Inslee, in a statement, called âhistoricâ in nature.
"This session's accomplishments are as important to the long-term well-being of our state as any session I've seen," Inslee said in prepared remarks.
The final weekend proved a whirlwind. Among their final acts, Democrats approved a roughly $59 billion, two-year state operating budget along with a new â and long-elusive â capital gains tax aimed at Washingtonâs wealthiest residents.