Policy Brief
Read the ReportPolicy Brief
Read the ReportPolicy Brief
Read the ReportPolicy Brief
Read the ReportWith the 2022 supplemental operating budget, 2021–23 appropriations from funds subject to the outlook (NGFO) are 24.3% higher than 2019–21. That is the largest biennial increase going back at least to the early 1990s. (The average biennial spending growth was 9.1% from 1993–95 through 2019–21.) Further, this is the first time a mid-biennium supplemental budget […]
Read MoreThe Senate- and House-passed supplemental operating budgets would spend almost all of the $13.8 billion surplus in funds subject to the outlook. Compared to the enacted 2021–23 biennial budget, appropriations would increase by 7.7% in the Senate-passed budget and by 10.6% in the House-passed budget. Compared to 2019–21, revised 2021–23 appropriations would increase by 23.3% […]
Read MoreLocal government taxes and revenues were largely sustained in 2020. State taxes increased by 4.2% in FY 2020 and by 11.7% in FY 2021. Meanwhile, in CY 2020, taxes grew by 5.3% in Washington’s counties and fell by 2.9% in Washington’s cities. However, from 2010 through 2017, city tax growth exceeded that of the state. […]
Read MoreWe estimate that the state surplus in funds subject to the outlook (NGFO) is now $11.249 billion over four years. On top of that, the state has one-time funds: $1.0 billion in the Washington rescue plan transition account, $1.273 billion in general federal relief funds, and about $1.2 billion in the budget stabilization account. This […]
Read MoreWhen the 2021–23 operating budget was enacted, it left an unrestricted ending balance for funds subject to the outlook (NGFO) of $83 million in 2023–25. With ever improving revenue forecasts and new, lower spending assumptions, we estimate that the unrestricted NGFO ending balance is now $8.649 billion. Additionally, the budget stabilization account (BSA, or the […]
Read MoreKey dates for Washington’s long-term care insurance program—and its accompanying payroll tax—are fast approaching. Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, a payroll tax of 0.58% will be levied on every employee’s wages. The tax is expected to generate revenues of more than $1 billion a year. Long-term services and supports trust (LTSST) benefits will then be available […]
Read MoreWe have updated our report on the impact of Washington’s five major petroleum refiners on the state’s economy. In 2019, the refiners directly provided 2,050 full-time jobs, paying an annual average wage of $148,683. In addition, the refiners employed, at high wages, 3,643 contract workers on an average day, doing maintenance, capital repair and capital […]
Read MoreAlthough the state did not have a budget shortfall to address this year, the Legislature raised taxes (including a new capital gains tax) and drained the rainy day fund. It also significantly increased spending. The enacted 2021–23 operating budget (including vetoes) appropriates $59.067 billion from funds subject to the outlook, an increase of 12.4% over […]
Read MoreThe Senate and House have passed broadly similar operating budgets. Both would impose a capital gains tax. Both would increase spending from funds subject to the outlook (NGFO) by double digits in 2021–23. Both would appropriate billions of dollars in federal relief funds. Both would drain the rainy day fund. Across the 2021 supplemental and […]
Read MoreState revenues are now expected to match the pre-pandemic Feb. 2020 revenue forecast. Revenues in 2019–21 are now forecast to be $52.334 billion (an increase of 13.6% over 2017–19). In 2021–23, revenues are expected to grow by 8.2%, to $56.615 billion. In 2023–25, revenues are expected to grow by 5.8%, to $59.906 billion. Given the […]
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