Washington State Warns Workers of Layoffs if Government Shutdown Happens

Gov. Jay Inslee’s office advanced plans Thursday to close 34 state agencies including the Department of Early Learning and the state parks system if lawmakers fail to pass a budget by the end of the month.

The state is expected to start sending notices to thousands of workers on Monday to warn of possible layoffs.

“Absent an appropriation by the Legislature, most government operations cannot continue to operate. About two-thirds of all state agencies and boards and commissions will cease operations or be mostly shut down,” said Nicholas Brown, the governor’s general council.

However, at the same time the governor’s staff was detailing the effects of a shutdown, budget negotiators in the House and Senate said they were getting closer to a deal.