— from Jaime Smith, Communications Director | Office of Governor Jay Inslee —
It’s clear at this late hour there is no agreement on Hirst or the capital budget. The Republicans have not done their due diligence to work on brokering an agreement on either of those issues, and at this point Republicans are simply running out the clock with political theatrics.
The governor has been clear that the Senate should de-link Hirst from the capital budget. A 24-month delay would have allowed the property owners – like the ones Republicans profess to want to help – to obtain the permits for their wells and get the relief they need until an agreed-upon permanent fix could be negotiated. And now, in addition, thousands of jobs around the state and critical projects for K-12 and mental health are jeopardized. Hundreds of state employees could be laid off. Nobody wins in this scenario.
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