Senate Democrats unveil operating budget pairing $6.5 billion in cuts with tax changes and K‑12 investments

State Sen. June Robinson, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, on Saturday rolled out the Senate Democrats' operating‑budget proposal for the upcoming biennium, saying the plan balances about $6.5 billion in reductions over four years with targeted investments and revenue changes.

"This is, the rollout of the senate democrats operating budget for the upcoming biennium," Robinson said, introducing a proposal she described as protecting services while keeping the state on a strong fiscal footing. Robinson said the package prioritizes health care, housing and food assistance while making "significant investments in K‑12 education, especially in special education and in operating support for our schools."

Robinson said the caucus approached a persistent shortfall holistically rather than solving to a single fixed number, targeting roughly $6 billion in reductions plus revenue changes to fill the gap. She described a balanced approach that combines cuts with what she called "necessary, and progressive revenue options," including asking higher‑income individuals and large corporations to contribute more while cutting the sales tax and providing property tax relief for low‑income seniors and disabled veterans.

The budget also reflects a coordinated view across the operating, transportation and capital budgets, Robinson said, intended to address infrastructure and transportation shortfalls and expand capital investments without treating each budget in isolation. She cited examples such as moving some culvert payment responsibilities between transportation and capital budgets and said that coordination affects how projects are funded, not whether they will be paid for.

Robinson defended several line‑item decisions as difficult but deliberate. She said the Senate's plan adopts many of the reduction exercises produced by the governor's offices and agencies and that the proposal aims to limit harms by distributing cuts across programs when possible. The release includes adjustments to the Washington College Grant, changes to early‑learning program timing and modest reductions in foundational public health funding that Robinson said are partly offset by dedicated account dollars.

Robinson said the Senate expects further negotiation with House leaders and the governor's office on the revenue package and other differences. She gave a schedule for committee action: a Ways and Means hearing and committee vote expected in the coming days and potential floor action later in the week.