OLYMPIA -- Democrats in the House of Representatives are not yet ready to describe the "means" to support their "ways."

When announcing a general fund budget Tuesday that had lists of cuts and a fairly specific number for the amount raised in taxes -- $857 million -- leaders of the House Ways and Means Committee said the details on the tax package were coming...on Wednesday.

No time listed, so the press corps dutifully showed up in the morning expecting a briefing to be scheduled at any time. Not yet, was the word; we'll let you know.

"I don't think they  have a package," Senate Minority Leader Mike Hewitt jabbed during a noon meeting with reporters.

Shortly before 2 p.m., word came down that there'd be no announcement on taxes -- oops, those are called "revenue packages" now -- Wednesday from House Democrats. No time yet, but one has to know that it will happen in at least the next two weeks ... because that's how much longer the Legislature has to get all its work done. And a budget is really Job 1.

To that end, the Senate Ways and Means Committee scheduled four hours of hearings Wednesday on their tax proposals. You can read this morning's story about Tuesday's release of budget plans by clicking here.

A chart comparing some aspects of the three working budgets can be found here.

 

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