Washington State Employees Face Possible Furlough

If the state of Washington does not pass a budget soon, thousands of employees could be temporarily laid off and many government agencies will face shutdowns starting July 1.

If the Legislature fails to pass a budget by June 30, 34 state agencies or offices will be completely shut down, 24 will face partial shutdowns, and 25 will remain open, according to the state’s contingency plan for state agency operations, released Thursday.

All of the state’s universities and community colleges would remain open, but agencies including the Arts Commission, Financial Management, Health Care Authority, and State Patrol will face complete or partial shutdowns.

The office of the governor, attorney general, auditor, and secretary of state also face complete or partial shutdowns.

Washington’s current two-year budget comes to a close at the end of June. The House, controlled by Democrats, and the Senate, controlled by a coalition of 23 Republicans and two Democrats, have been locked in budget negotiations for several weeks.

They are currently in the second special legislative session of the year.

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Washington
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