The opening gavel has once again fallen in the Washington legislature.
"The second extraordinary session of the 63rd legislature will now be in order,” said a deadpan Lt. Governor Brad Owen Wednesday morning in the state Senate.
The second overtime session is necessary because lawmakers have yet to find agreement on a budget for the next two years. Taxes and controversial policy measures are the chief hang ups.
Meanwhile, Governor Jay Inslee will gather his cabinet to begin to make preparations for a possible July 1 government shutdown – if there’s still no deal by then.
