WA preps for July shutdown as budget talks stall
Top officials in Washington state started preparing Monday for a potential government shutdown in July as lawmakers stalled in their bid to reach a budget compromise.
Gov. Chris Gregoire said she has started holding talks with cabinet and financial management leaders about what would happen if there's no spending plan by the time a new budget cycle begins in July. She's seen little progress in budget negotiations in the Legislature and can't recall a time that things have been so bogged down.