Legislature adjourns, completing 2011 sessions

The Associated Press

OLYMPIA — The state Legislature has adjourned after completing a new state budget that fills a projected shortfall of $5 billion.

Lawmakers finalized their spending plans and a long list of lingering bills tonight, adjourning less than two hours before a midnight deadline for the 30-day special session. They passed a new state budget to Gov. Chris Gregoire that makes spending reductions of $4.6 billion and includes widespread cuts to education.

Leaders in the Legislature say the spending cuts were painful but necessary in the midst of the economic downturn.

Gregoire had called lawmakers back to work for a month after they failed to finish the budget and key spending matters by the end of their regular 105-day session.