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Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Washington Legislature. Austin Jenkins is the Olympia correspondent for the Northwest News Network. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) weekly public affairs program "Inside Olympia."

Is The Window Closing On A Washington Gas Tax Package?

WSDOT
File photo of road work on SR 520.

Two key transportation leaders says time is running out for Washington lawmakers to agree on a multi-billion dollar roads and transit package.

If they don’t act soon, a vote could be delayed for another year. That’s the assessment of Senators Tracey Eide, a Democrat, and Curtis King, a Republican, who co-chair the Senate transportation committee.

“I’m worried that if we don’t do it in December, I don’t know if we’re going to see it next session,” said Eide. “To be frank, it’s election year and I don’t know if Senator King could get votes out of his caucus.”

“I don’t know that either side wants to take this vote in a regular session," added King. "The longer it drags out the more and more complicated it’s going to become and my concern would be that then you end up with nothing and then we wait until 2015.”

The legislature meets in regular session in January. There has been talk of a special session before the year is out.

Behind the scenes negotiations continue. But stumbling blocks remain.

Eide and King spoke Thursday with Austin Jenkins on TVW’s “Inside Olympia” program.

Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy, as well as the Washington State Legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia."