While the operating budget adopted by the Senate this evening has much to recommend it, Sen. Mike Padden said, it also makes some allocations that the Spokane Valley Republican ultimately could not support.

“I appreciate many things about this budget – especially the fact that it wouldn’t raise taxes and would also allow tax increases from 2010 to expire on schedule later this year. However, it goes a few places that I don’t believe state government should be going,” Padden said.

Padden cited the budget’s reliance on expanding Medicaid, a $21 million allocation to Planned Parenthood, and the extension of a hospital-bed tax as his primary reasons for declining to back the two-year, $33.3 billion spending plan.

“I know many people put a great deal of effort into coming up with this budget, and I can understand why it received bipartisan support. Still, I know the values of the people I represent, and I’m confident they will understand the decision I made today.”

Now that the Senate has adopted its operating budget, with a 30-18 vote, the House of Representatives is expected to follow suit soon. The Legislature needs to agree on a final budget no later than April 28 if it is to adjourn on schedule.