House Democratic budget emphasizes education

The Democratic-controlled Washington House wants to raise an extra $1.34 billion by extending expiring taxes and closing tax exemptions. That would pay for $1.3 billon in court-mandated extra education spending in 2013-2015.

"We're proposing to put virtually every penny into education," said Rep. Reuven Carlyle, D- Seattle and chairman of House Finance Committee.

The House's Democratic-controlled leadership on Wednesday unveiled its proposed 2013-2015 budget of $34.5 billion with $337 million left at the end of the biennium.

In broad strokes, that is $3.21 billion more than 2011-2013 with a $426 million surplus left; $1.39 billon more than what the Senate wants to spend with $611 million left; and $70 million more than Gov. Jay Inslee wants to spend with $571 million left over.