Inslee: Special legislative session likely because of virus outbreak

SEATTLE (AP) — Gov. Jay Inslee says the Legislature may need to be called back for a special session because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Legislature isn’t scheduled to return until next January, but Inslee said Tuesday it was probable they may need to return earlier for a special session, “given the extent of the economic damage that we have suffered.”

He said the timing of that is uncertain, but he said that he was ready to call the Legislature back early if more aggressive steps for spending are needed before the end of the year.

He noted that the state had already dispersed $120 million from $200 million the Legislature allocated to COVID-19 response before they adjourned last month.