OLYMPIA -- It's Earth Day, and while Gov. Jay Inslee may not have sent out cards, he did send a message to the Legislature that he wants more than just an operating budget that satisfies the Supreme Court orders on public education and a major transportation package.

He also wants them to do something about carbon pollution, oil train safety and toxic chemicals.

Inslee used the press house lawn, which had some calling cards left by the deer that wander the campus some evenings looking for snacks and a view of the Capitol dome in the background, to note the state is suffering on this Earth Day. Last summer's wild fires could be repeated this year, the state has a snowpack drought and oyster beds are suffering from ocean acidification, he said.

The Legislature will need a special session to complete work on an operating budget and may come to an agreement on major road and bridge construction funded by a gas-tax increase. Don't stop there, Inslee told legislators. 

He wants them to come to some agreement on a carbon reduction plan. His carbon initiative has stalled in both chambers.

He wants them to pass legislation to regulate oil shipments across the state. The House and Senate have competing plans on that topic, and he prefers the level of inspections and advance notice in the House version.

"It's been an absolute goose egg when it comes to doing anything for the environment," he said.

Republican leaders said Tuesday that they oppose Inslee's carbon reduction plans, which could raise the price of gasoline at the same time the state may be raising gasoline taxes for the transportation package. Faced with a double hit at the pump, they say voters may take to the ballot to reject the gas-tax hike, killing the projects it would cover.

GOP leaders were more optimistic that oil train safety legislation would pass. The two bills are being negotiated and there are "growing similarities" between the two proposals, Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, said.

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