BUDGET DEAL REACHED TO FUND CONTRACTS AND AVOID SHUTDOWN

The final 2017-2019 operating budget details are out, with just hours to go to avoid a state government shutdown. This compromise budget fully funds and approves our state employee collective bargaining agreements. It includes the COLAs, the increased vacation accrual, and the specific increases for targeted job classes that our bargaining team negotiated last summer.
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The budget still must pass the Senate, pass the House, and be signed by Governor Inslee before midnight tonight in order to avoid a shutdown. 

The budget also includes:

• A 6% cut to the number of management positions in General Government.
• A reduction in the B&O tax rate for manufacturing
• A fund shift transferring money from the budget stabilization account (rainy day fund) to fund pensions.

​More details are still emerging, stay tuned for updates.