State lawmakers say they have final budget deal  State lawmakers
say they have final budget deal »Play Video OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP)
- Washington lawmakers reached a long-sought accord on a new
state budget Thursday and hurried to schedule votes that would
avert a widespread state government shutdown.  Gov. Jay Inslee
said in a news conference, flanked by lawmakers from both
parties, that the Legislature is hoping to approve the measure
before state employees leave work Friday. Political leaders
declined to discuss details of the plan and declined to make the
$33.6 billion spending proposal available for public review, as
it was still being drafted Thursday afternoon.  "The deal
reached today makes it clear that state government will continue
to operate," Inslee said.  Democratic Rep. Ross Hunter, the top
negotiator in the House, said he and Republican Sen. Andy Hill
finalized the new spending plan Thursday morning and shook hands
on an agreement. Budget negotiators said they were confident the
measure would swif