Kriss Sjoblom

In Washington 11,666 filed initial claims for regular unemployment insurance last week

This morning the state Employment Security Department (ESD) gave its weekly report on unemployment insurance claims. ESD reported a total of 15,937 initial claims for unemployment insurance during the week ending May 22. Of this total, 11,666 initial claims were filed under the regular state unemployment insurance program; 1,778 claims were under the federal pandemic […]

Fraudsters boost UI claims

This morning the state Employment Security Department (ESD) reported that initial claims for the regular state unemployment program were up 18.2 percent over the previous week. This increase is due, at least in part, to an increase in the number of fraudulent claims: We have … seen a recent increase in fraudulent claim applications, which […]

State tax collections again exceed forecast

Monday’s monthly report from the state’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC) on general fund revenue collections once again showed revenues significantly above forecast. For the sales tax, the use tax, the business and occupation tax, the public utility tax, the tobacco products tax, and penalties and interest (collectively the Revenue Act receipts), this report […]

In Washington 16,605 filed initial claims for regular unemployment insurance last week

This morning the state Employment Security Department (ESD) gave its weekly report on unemployment insurance claims. ESD reported a total of 26,693 initial claims for unemployment insurance during the week ending May 8. Of this total, 16,605 initial claims were filed under the regular state unemployment insurance program; 2,485 claims were under the federal pandemic […]

In Washington 10,507 filed initial claims for regular unemployment insurance last week

This morning the state Employment Security Department (ESD) gave its weekly report on unemployment insurance claims. ESD reported a total of 14,624 initial claims for unemployment insurance during the week ending May 1. Of this total, 10,507 initial claims were filed under the regular state unemployment insurance program; 1,855 claims were under the federal pandemic […]

Capital gains bill passed

When I last wrote about the capital gains tax, the House Finance Committee had just passed an amended version of the Senate-passed bill. On April 21, the House passed the Finance Committee version. On April 22, the Senate declined to concur with the House’s amendments. A conference committee was then named, and that committee crafted […]

Update on personal income, consumer spending and saving rates during the COVID-19 recession

Here are updates of two charts I have posted monthly regarding income and consumer spending during the COVID-19 recession, including new numbers for March and revisions to numbers for prior months. As a result of the $1.9 trillion federal relief package enacted in March, personal income rose 21.1% from February to March. Consumer spending increased […]

In Washington 11,629 filed initial claims for regular unemployment insurance last week

This morning the state Employment Security Department (ESD) gave its weekly report on unemployment insurance claims. ESD reported a total of 15,790 initial claims for unemployment insurance during the week ending April 24. Of this total, 11,629 initial claims were filed under the regular state unemployment insurance program; 1,822 claims were under the federal pandemic […]

House passes capital gains bill

Emily and I have written previously about the Senate’s progressive capital gains tax bill ESSB 5096 (here, here, here and here), which the Senate passed on March 6. On Friday (April 16) the House Finance Committee took up the bill in executive session, adopted a striking amendment, and passed the amended bill. Yesterday (April 21) […]

In Washington 13,216 filed initial claims for regular unemployment insurance last week

This morning the state Employment Security Department (ESD) gave its weekly report on unemployment insurance claims. ESD reported a total of 17,665 initial claims for unemployment insurance during the week ending April 17. Of this total, 13,216 initial claims were filed under the regular state unemployment insurance program; 1,884 claims were under the federal pandemic […]