Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler says an agreement is in place with the House majority on an operating budget that will allow the Legislature to complete its work and adjourn.

“We’re finally to the point that all sides feel comfortable about announcing this breakthrough,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “This will keep state government operating into the new budget cycle that begins Monday, meaning it gives certainty to families and schools and taxpayers and everyone else who has an interest in the continuation of state-provided services and programs.”

Schoesler acknowledged the hard work by negotiators for the Senate’s Majority Coalition Caucus and Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, who is budget leader for the Senate Democratic Caucus, as well as House Republican Leader Dan Kristiansen, R-Snohomish, who helped broker the budget accord.

“This budget does what our bipartisan coalition envisioned: it’s sustainable, puts education first and avoids the huge tax hikes that were proposed by others even at the risk of harming our slowly recovering state economy. It’s not ideal but it’s a plan everyone can live with, so let’s get it through Legislature and on to the governor’s desk before Monday.”