July 09 , 2015 - Emily Makings
Deal on I-1351 and science standards means end of session is in sight
Reportedly the Senate will vote today on delays of both Initiative 1351 and the biology graduation requirement. The 2015-17 operating budget does not fund I-1351. (For more on I-1351, see this policy brief.) Last week the House passed HB 2266 to delay implementation of the initiative until the 2019-2021 biennium, but the Senate failed to […]
July 08 , 2015 - Mary Strow
July 07 , 2015 - Emily Makings
Links: Tax changes and employment policy
The Department of Revenue has a list of the tax changes that went into effect July 1 (the first day of fiscal year 2016). Those tax changes include the extension of sales and use tax exemptions for data centers. Data centers have a significant economic impact on communities in eastern Washington, and the exemptions matter […]
July 02 , 2015 - Mary Strow
July 02 , 2015 - Emily Makings
Operating budget reduces tuition, increases higher education support by $427 million
One of the major headlines of the 2015-17 operating budget is the tuition reduction. According to the Seattle Times, Washington is “the only state in the country to lower tuition for public universities and colleges next year.” Further, Both the UW and WSU said the budget backfilled the loss in tuition revenue that will result […]
July 01 , 2015 - Emily Makings
Public schools spending makes up 47.5 percent of 2015-17 budget
As we’ve noted, Gov. Inslee signed the 2015-17 operating budget last night. The budget appropriates $18.157 billion for public schools — a $2.894 billion (or 19.0 percent) increase over 2013-15. This represents 47.5 percent of the budget (it was 45.2 percent of the 2013-15 budget). The Senate summary of the budget notes that spending is […]
July 01 , 2015 - Mary Strow
July 01 , 2015 - Emily Makings
Happy fiscal new year?
Today is the first day of fiscal year 2016 and the first day of the 2015-17 biennium. You might ask: What’s happy about it? Last night Gov. Inslee signed the 2015-17 operating budget. That’s the good news — government is not shut down today. The bad news is that the Legislature has not passed HB […]
June 30 , 2015 - Mary Strow