School, pension payments no longer stumbling blocks; ‘They’re gone’

The debate over the state budget has been stuck on proposals to skip a pension payment (Republicans’ idea, paired with a cut in pension benefits for new workers), and to put a payment to schools on hold (Democrats’ idea, tied to a promise that the next Legislature will find the money and hand it over a day later than usual).

No more, Gov. Chris Gregoire told reporters today. Both of those proposals are off the negotiating table, she said.

“They’re gone. I think that’s fair to say — they’re gone.”