The spending plan would mostly distribute money that the federal government has already sent the state for pandemic relief.
But by approving the measure now, as opposed to waiting for the Legislature to agree on a new two-year budget later this spring, legislative leaders hope to get the money to those who need it much sooner.
The one-time relief package, which Democratic leaders in the House and Senate have already negotiated, is expected to pass the Legislature by mid-February.
In a news release Friday, Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, D-Spokane, said the package is only the start of what legislative leaders plan to do to address the fallout from
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