Under the Dome

Originally published April 15

Good morning. Today is Sunday, April 15, the 98th day of the 105-day legislative session.

UPDATE

Advocates for health care and other human services have hatched a plan that would use a surplus from a state pension fund to create an endowment for nursing home workers and other long-term caregivers.

They'll announce the plan at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday on the steps of the state library on the Capitol Campus, according to Jerry Reilly of the Washington Health Care Association, which represents nursing facilities.

The proposal will be offered as an alternative if the House rejects a Senate plan to use pension money in part to give pay raises of 50 cents an hour to state-paid caregivers.

IN BRIEF

How tough would it be to raise taxes to cover budget problems this year in the Legislature?

Impossible, if not harder than that, top legislators say.

Senate Majority Leader Sid Snyder, D-Long Beach, gives this example: A vote came up last month to raise fees for vehicle emissions testing from $16 to $26, Snyder said. The higher price matched what the low bidder for the work submitted, he said.

"But the vote was 25-24 with 20 Democrats and five Republicans supporting it," Snyder said.

LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE

Get bill updates or leave messages for lawmakers on the legislative hot line, (800) 562-6000. The hot line operates from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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