Oregon Public Broadcasting

With just days left in their legislative session, Washington lawmakers are one step closer to sending a tax measure to voters.

The House Human Services budget committee narrowly approved a temporary sales tax increase Tuesday to buy back cuts to health care. But it’s unclear if it has enough momentum to pass. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins reports.

The vote in favor of the tax measure was eight to seven. Two Democrats joined Republican committee members in voting no.

Among them, Representative Mark Miloscia who says any tax increase must be paired with major government reform.

Rep. Mark Miloscia: “This bill attempts a temporary money fix which doesn’t solve any problems.”

The sponsor of the tax measure, Representative Eric Pettigrew, agrees it’s a less than ideal solution.

Rep. Eric Pettigrew: “People need us, they need us right now.”

The .3 percent sales tax increase would raise about half a billion dollars over the next two years to offset cuts to hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare programs.

It would also fund a tax rebate for lower-income families. But it’s far from a done deal – it would still need to pass the House, the Senate and win approval from voters this November in order to take effect.