“I applaud Senate Ways and Means Chairman Andy Hill and his staff for the bi-partisan, no new taxes budget released earlier today.

“The budget provides over $1 billion in additional funds for K-12 education to help the state come into compliance with the McCleary decision to adequately fund our public education system. This is accomplished through a priorities of government budgeting approach and not through raising taxes on the backs of Washington’s families and hard working small businesses.

“Unlike the other Washington, the bi-partisan Senate Majority Coalition Caucus has chosen to put the needs of our children over partisan politics. We can’t afford to continue down the current path of ballooning budget deficits and owe it to our kids to get our fiscal house in order – this budget does that.

“Thanks to the leadership and hard work of our tremendous team of King County Senators – Andy Hill, Steve Litzow and Joe Fain – I am hopeful that we will put our state back on a sustainable path. The King County Republican Party will do everything it can to support their efforts to reform our state government and improve our schools.”