In Olympia, volatile mix of budget, social issues
Lawmakers face an all-too-familiar problem when they convene Monday for a 60-day legislative session: balancing a state budget that's way out of whack.
This year's different, though. Lawmakers will also confront a volatile mix of other issues that could easily tie the Legislature in knots.
Both a sales-tax and gas-tax increase are on the table. The state Supreme Court says more money is needed for education. The governor says it's time to legalize gay marriage. Abortion is back on the docket. And then there's that plan to legalize marijuana.