Lawmakers wrap up 2020 amid growing concerns about COVID-19

OLYMPIA — State lawmakers wrapped up the 2020 legislative session Thursday and headed home with heavy hearts as an unchecked coronavirus outbreak continues to tear the fabric of communities throughout Washington.

It was a somber ending to a 60-day session in which lawmakers set out to tackle the challenges of homelessness and an opioid crises and wound up digging into reserves and rewriting policies to address the deadly DOVID-19.

In one of their last acts, they agreed to withdraw $200 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to cover the growing tab of state agencies and local health districts responding to the crisis, and to assist the most hard-hit businesses.

“It’s one of the most important bills we’re going to pass this session,” said Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, D-Spokane. “We don’t know what’s ahead. We have to be smart about our response. This is one step in that response.”

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/lawmakers-wrap-up-2020-amid-growing-concerns-about-covid-19/