Blog

Justice Johnson files dissent in Supremes' education funding order – Court's impact on short session unclear

Last week I posted on the state Supreme Court majority opinion finding lawmakers failed to make adequate progress toward full funding of basic education as specified in the Court’s McCleary decision. I concluded: Substantial new funding in the short session is unlikely. Key legislators already question the need for any supplemental budget. After last year’s lengthy […]

State Supreme Court says that, despite progress, Legislature still not meeting education funding targets

The state Supreme Court, in an order released today, faulted lawmakers for failing to make adequate progress on meeting the Court’s school funding mandate. (Justice Johnson is filing a dissent from the majority opinion.) The accompanying press release acknowledge legislative progress. The majority Order, signed by eight of the nine justices, acknowledges that “meaningful steps were […]

Governor's supplemental budget looks like a yawner … that's a good thing

Gov. Jay Inslee released his supplemental budget proposal yesterday. The details are available here. Inslee calls it “a hold-steady budget in a get-ready year.” That’s a pretty good description. The budget proposes a few modest new program increases and provides funding for increases in caseloads and school enrollment. That’s holding steady. He also warns of […]

November 11 – December 10 state revenue collections beat forecast by $4 million

Every little bit helps. The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council issued its monthly Economic and Revenue Update today. Here are the key bullets on revenue from the summary: Major General Fund-State revenue collections for the November 11 – December 10, 2013 collection period were $4.0 million (0.2%) higher than the November forecast. Revenue Act collections […]

Medicaid is still driving exchange enrollments, but private plans are also up this week

This week’s Healthplanfinder enrollment update shows significant increases in enrollment in qualified (private) health plans, newly eligible Medicaid, and immediate coverage Medicaid. Total enrollment through the exchange is now up to 176,468 (through November 28). Of those, 18,131 are in qualified health plans (10.3 percent). (According to the Seattle Times, “Officials project that about 130,000 residents […]

The State Budget Outlook Work Group issued a new budget outlook today

The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council today approved an updated Outlook for the state budget prepared by the state budget outlook workgroup. The Outlook extends through the 2015-17 biennium and covers a roll-up of three state accounts: the general fund-state, the education legacy trust account and the opportunity pathways account. The new Outlook incorporates preliminary […]

Small increase to state revenue forecast

The state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council meet today and updated its forecast of state revenues. On an apples-to-apples basis, ERFC increased the estimate of revenues for the completed 2011-13 biennium by $9.1 million and increased the forecast of revenues for the current 2013-15 biennium by $16.0 million. $10.5 million of the latter figure results […]

State revenue forecast will be updated tomorrow

The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council will update its forecast of state revenue tomorrow. The collections report for the October 11 to November 10 period that was issued last Tuesday (November 12) showed collections were $48.4 million (3.9%) greater than expected under the forecast adopted in September.  Early property tax payments contributed $21.7 million of […]

Special legislative session signals good news for machinists, for Boeing and for the state economy

Gov. Jay Inslee called lawmakers back to Olympia for a special session today designed to secure the Boeing 777X and its carbon fiber wing for Washington state. The proposed legislation complements the agreement reached by Boeing and the Machinists union for an eight-year contract extension assuring continued labor peace and changes benefiting the company and […]

More on state Supreme Court pension case and its budget implications

In my column Wednesday, I take a deeper look at the pension lawsuit before the state Supreme Court. Emily wrote about the hearings, which involve union challenges to the Legislature’s repeal of gain-sharing and the Uniform Cost of Living Adjustment. The implications are serious. If the court rules for the public employee groups contesting the legislation, the increased burden to taxpayers […]