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The biggest challenge of the legislative session – closing a $5 billion budget gap – was on its way to a solution Tuesday. The Democrat-controlled House voted along party lines to pass a $32.2 billion spending compromise that it negotiated with the Senate on Monday.

The full Senate expects to vote on it today, sending it to Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire, as lawmakers race to finish their 30-day special session on its final day.

Overall, lawmakers’ optimism about getting out of Olympia was rising after details of the operating budget deal were announced mid-morning. One of the biggest remaining stumbling blocks – whether to lower the state debt limit in the constitution – was removed Tuesday with an agreement to create a “blue ribbon” task force.