The Washington State Legislature adjourned Sunday night, but state lawmakers are not done meeting this year. For the fourth consecutive year, the Legislature has been unable to complete the state budget and will have to go into special session.

The Legislature was statutorily mandated to adjourn on Sunday, but it is allowed a 30-day special session to come to an agreement on the budget. Governor Jay Inslee said budget negotiators will remain in Olympia to continue work on the budget, while all other legislators will report back on May 13 for the special session.

While in special session, the Legislature may take up other issues and Governor Inslee would like the lawmakers to handle issues involving abortion, gun control, and immigration. However, with the budget being the major issue, these secondary issues may not be discussed.

In regards to the budget, Governor Inslee said, “The parties are not miles apart at the moment, they are light-years apart.”

Photo of the Interior of the Legislative Building by Cacophony on Wikipedia.