Democrats in Olympia plan for massive budget gap

Washington lawmakers are facing an estimated $12 billion dollar budget deficit as they prepare to go back to work next week. How to cover that gap is the big story heading into the session. Majority Democrats are already floating possibilities for new taxes to bridge the difference between spending and revenue. And while the budget is undoubtedly the biggest challenge – lawmakers are also expected to be tackling sticky issues like rent increase caps and education funding.   Guest: Washington State Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen (WA 43 - Seattle) Relevant Links: KUOW: ‘A perfect storm’: Inside Washington’s massive budget gap Washington State Standard: Making sense of Washington’s multi-billion dollar budget hole Seattle Times: WA’s 2025 legislative session will feature new faces, big budget gap   Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.