OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - State lawmakers have completed their special session.
The Legislature adjourned Wednesday afternoon, shortly after approving a plan to chip away at the state's $1.4 billion shortfall. Lawmakers will return in January to deal with deeper cuts to the state budget.
Gov. Chris Gregoire had called on the Legislature to approve some $2 billion in changes by Christmas, but the Legislature settled with a plan that provides a $480 million fix to the budget through a combination of cuts, transfers and delayed payments.
Budget negotiators say they have laid the groundwork for the more difficult cuts and expect to finish the new budget early in the new year. Gregoire also wants voters to approve a temporary sales tax increase to offset some of the cuts.
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