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Legislature just about ready to adjourn Posted by David Postman at 8:54 PM The House is debating the operating budget. The Senate is milling. It all should be over in a matter of minutes. Gov. Chris Gregoire will appear soon with House and Senate leaders at a media availability. At least the leaders that are still here will appear. Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt isn't expected, the governor's staff said. In fact, most of the Senate Republicans appear to have already left. The governor will soon issue a press release where she declares: "This legislative session was marked by strategic and responsible changes that Washington familes can count on." Among success touted by Gregoire is the proposed constitutional amendment to create a rainy day fund, an expansion of pre-kindergarten programs, a delay in the math and science WASL, and providing subsidized health care insurance for 38,500 additional children. UPDATE: The Legislature has adjourned. At her press conference Gregoire said: "This year we maintained a simple but important agenda." She said that on environmental issues, this will go down as one of the most productive sessions ever. MORE: Brown highlighted the two issues where there was the most bipartisan cooperation in the Senate, a prison reform bill and a proposed constitutional amendment for a rainy day fund. She also touched on issues that were left undone -- saying that included everything from allowing dogs in bars to a homeowner's bill of rights. The latter was a point of serious contention among Democrats, with some blaming Chopp for killing that bill. Chopp was brief in his comments, and praised his party's performance. "In short, the session has been a great session for one Washington. Democrats delivered and we got done on time." The rainy day fund and a constitutional amendment to allow school levies to pass with a simple majority will appear on the November ballot. Chopp said he would campaign for the simple majority proposal. Brown and Gregoire said they'd work for both constitutional amendments. But none said they planned to campaign for the regional transportation package that will also appear on the ballot.
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