‘Bit of a fight’: WA Senator notes a brewing feud between governor, Democrat caucus

Despite less than a week remaining for the Washington State Legislature, Governor Bob Ferguson is still not fully embracing the $12 billion package presented to balance the state’s $16 billion budget shortfall.

Ferguson has said would have a difficult time backing a budget plan that involves the level of taxes initially proposed by legislators.

“As we’re waiting for the Democrats, do you think that the governor has been putting a lot of pressure on them passively or behind the scenes?” State Senator Phil Fortunato (R-Auburn) was asked on “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH.

“Budget-wise, he’s not been too bad,” Fortunato answered. “He put the squash on a couple of things, sent them back during a little bit of turmoil. The (Democrats) won’t let his staff people into their wings without permission, so there’s a little bit of a fight with the governor’s office.”

House Democrats revoke rule regarding access for governor’s staff

In January, House Democrats changed a “longstanding rule” that previously granted automatic admission to the House of Representatives’ chambers for both the governor and their staff. During this current legislative period, a member of the governor’s office is not allowed in unless a House member invites them.

“And that is due, in large part, to the governor, unlike the previous governor Jay Inslee, has been more involved and more vocal on not just allowing Democratic leadership to do whatever they want and then propose something. He’s actually being responsible,” Fortunato noted.

House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon (D-West Seattle) has denied that there is any “friction” between the Democrat caucus and the governor, and that the alleged “friction” was the reason for the limiting access for the governor’s staff.

Listen to the full conversation below.

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