The Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair has released a new budget proposal. It would increase near general fund-state plus opportunity pathways (NGFS+) spending by $143.7 million more than under the Senate-passed budget. Additionally, it would spend $190 million from the budget stabilization account for wildfire costs (the Senate-passed version did not do so).

It would increase revenues by $57 million, assuming enactment of PSSB 6665, which "changes certain television content provider taxation provisions."

The proposal also assumes enactment of 2ESJR 8204 and 2ESB 5624, which "create an alternative financing mechanism for local government infrastructure projects." Due to these bills, the proposal would transfer $154 million from the public works assistance account (PWAA) to the general fund in 2017-19. Other proposed transfers to the general fund would total $58 million in 2015-17. That includes $16 million from the PWAA and $9 million from the performance audit account.

Unlike the version that passed the Senate, this proposal would not merge the LEOFF 1 and TRS 1 retirement plans, and it books less maintenance level spending from K-3 class size funding utilization.

Under this proposal, the unrestricted ending balance would be $583 million in 2015-17 and $79 million in 2017-19. By increasing spending, using BSA funds, and not merging the two pension plans, the Senate proposal moves closer to the House-passed budget.