Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard

The governor used his veto pen sparingly, to the delight of Democrats and the disappointment of Republicans.

Gov. Bob Ferguson vowed to not sign a budget without the program. There’s also a new local sales tax option to pay for public defenders and domestic violence services.

Lawmakers say a union representing 5,300 Washington state workers and community college employees ratified a contract too late to be funded this year.

They rejected a new contract last fall. They approved one in recent weeks, but lawmakers said it arrived too late to be funded in the budget.

Democrats plowed ahead with a $12 billion tax package Saturday despite Republican objections and a lack of clarity about what Gov. Bob Ferguson will support.

The governor is still at odds with lawmakers in his party over how much revenue the state should raise to deal with a multibillion dollar shortfall.

“I think we made our message clear,” said a union leader after making his way inside the governor’s office. The employees talked of a one-day strike to spotlight their critical roles.

Gov. Bob Ferguson says Democratic lawmakers relied too heavily on new taxes in their spending plans and should “immediately” move in a new direction.

Opponents argued Initiative 2066 was unconstitutional because it dealt with multiple unrelated subjects. Supporters say they’ll appeal the ruling to the state Supreme Court.

A citizen commission approved a new salary schedule for members of the legislative, executive and judicial branches last month that provides double-digit pay hikes for the governor, attorney general and state lawmakers. The schedule will become law on May 13 unless a referendum spoils the timing.