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OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The House has approved a supplemental budget that would restore cost-of-living increases for teachers and puts additional money into the state's basic education system.
The budget passed on a 53-44 vote Tuesday and makes adjustments to the $33.6 billion, two-year state operating budget approved by the Legislature last year.
But first, the chamber debated more than two dozen amendments and passed several, including one to spend nearly $56 million to restore the voter-approved cost-of-living raises for teachers, which have been suspended for the last few budget cycles. Another amendment approved by the chamber spends an additional $13.5 million on early learning programs.
Last week, the Senate passed its budget proposal that also adds some money for education. The House and Senate will now negotiate a final budget plan.
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