Skip Priest didn't get much sleep last week. The Federal Way republican representative to the Washington State Legislature, along with Senator Tracy Eide and Representative Mark Miloscia, both democrats, burned the midnight oil repeatedly in an attempt to achieve their goals before the close of the legislative session.

"I've got a cold and an ear infection, but I'm home and sitting in my own chair," Priest told the Federal Way News last Thursday, the morning after the legislature adjourned at 9:11 PM on March 8th, one day before the cut-off of maximum 60 days allowed for election years.

"It was a very hectic week, but then again, it's been hectic for the past seven and half weeks," said Priest.

Lawmakers were working overtime to decide if, and how, to spend a $1.6 billion budget surplus. Their answer was an overwhelming decision to splurge.

Among the many beneficiaries of the approved supplemental budget will be the schools, college students, children without health care and pensioners.

"We've all watched in disbelief as pension plans around the country have defaulted. Our teachers and public employees have earned the fruits of their hard work. That's why I supported setting up a new pension savings account to meet the goal of fully restoring the drop in revenue in two of Washington's 14 pension plans hit so hard after the events of Sept. 11. $350 million will be put aside for this purpose," said Senator Eide.

The supplemental budget passed last week, and now awaiting Governor Gregoire's signature, is in addition to the $26 billion budget passed by the legislature last year.

Washington State prisons will receive $50 million from a separate construction budget to build more cells to accommodate convicted sex offenders, who now face a minimum of 25 years in jail.

Those about to save money, about $50 million dollars worth in tax cuts, are the timber, aerospace and film industries and other businesses.

After 29 years, a gay rights measure finally passed, adding "sexual orientation" to current laws banning discrimination in housing, employment, credit and insurance.

Senator Eide gave a run-down on budgetary items specific to Federal Way, among them:

* $25,000 for the second annual Northwest Korean Sports and Cultural Festival.

* $1.5 million to expand the Digital Learning Commons, an online resource that provides courses for students to prepare for college. The Federal Way Internet Academy is among several schools involved in this program.

* $1 million for the Washington State Community Action Agencies, important for the South King County Multi-Service Center, which assists low-income individuals and families.

* $20,000 for the Pacific-Algona Senior Center, which served meals to nearly 10,000 low-income seniors last year.

* $850,000 to operate additional law enforcement academies, especially crucial to Federal Way with its shortage of police officers.

* $50,000 to the Financial Literacy Public Private Partnership to educate students about the importance of financial planning.

* Money for health-care benefits for families of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty, also known as Mrs. Maher's initiative, is also included.

Representative Priest enthusiastically described how the new budget provides $28 million to pay for four alternatives for passing the WASL.

"This was one of my primary goals. Since the graduating class of 2008 will need to either pass the WASL or complete an alternative in order to graduate, we need to find a way to help students do that that is both rigorous and achievable," Priest said.

"Everyone is dedicated to maintaining high standards but we also recognize that some students need assistance. This will give the FWPS the tools to make that happen," explained Priest

Federal Way's representatives were disappointed that the bill concerning toughing laws regarding auto theft, an important issue in the 30th District, got caught in a logjam in the appropriations committee.

Representative Miloscia did not return calls to the FW News last Thursday to give his reaction to the session. The state capitol was a relative ghost town after the frenzy of Wednesday night's session.

Senator Eide said in a statement released by her office that she was satisfied with the work of the senate.

"Like [most], when I find a little extra money in my family's budget, I first make sure all the bills are paid, put something aside for the leaner times, and then - and only then - do I consider a new purchase. The budget passed by the Senate follows this sensible approach. It first makes adjustments for changing costs in our schools, social service programs and corrections system. Then it covers our second priority - building a solid reserve, our hedge against an uncertain future," Eide said.

Representative Priest, although mostly content with the concluded session, said he was personally disapproved of the overall budget that was passed.

"When I came to Olympia four years ago, there was a $2.7 billion deficit. Too many programs had been started in the prior decade and we had to make many difficult decisions. Now we're doing going down that path again. Sooner or later we're going to have to disappoint people who will come to rely on government spending, or we're going to have raise taxes significantly, once again," sighed Priest.