House Democrats present a $5.1 billion budget problem for 2015-17
It is budget season in the state Legislature. Today House Democrats released their proposal for 2015-17. (Details here.) Total spending for 2015-17 would be $39.0 billion. (As originally enacted, expenditures totaled $33.8 billion for 2013-15.) The proposal would increase policy level spending by $2.4 billion near general fund-state plus opportunity pathways (NGFS+). Given those increases […]
March 27 , 2015 - Emily Makings
Final enrollment numbers from the Exchange, and national enrollment issues
I’ve noted that the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (HBE) did not meet its enrollment goals for the open enrollment period that ended in February. Yesterday the HBE released final enrollment numbers through March 9. Some highlights and comments: A total of 158,302 either newly enrolled or renewed their coverage in qualified (private) health plans (QHP). […]
March 26 , 2015 - Emily Makings
New report: Senate Transportation Package Would Begin to Address State’s Significant Infrastructure Needs
We’ve published a new special report on the Senate’s transportation budget. Briefly: The Senate’s transportation package would increase spending by $13.8 billion through 2031. It would increase the state gas tax by 11.7 cents over three years, bringing in $5.6 billion through 2031. It assumes bonding authority of $3.4 billion. Of the spending, $1.3 billion […]
March 12 , 2015 - Kriss Sjoblom
February 11–March 10 state revenue collections were $16.7 million greater than forecast
This afternoon the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council issued its monthly Economic and Revenue Update. Here are the key bullets on revenue from the summary: Major General Fund-State revenue collections for the February 11 – March 10, 2015 collection period were $16.7 million (1.6%) higher than the February forecast. Revenue Act collections came in $21.6 […]
February 24 , 2015 - Emily Makings
February 20 , 2015 - Kriss Sjoblom
Washington's forecasted revenue growth is better than that of the average state
A recent post at TaxVox (the blog of the Urban Institute/Brookings Institution Tax Policy Center) examines state government revenue forecasts fore fiscal years 2015, 2016 and 2017. State forecasters expect revenue growth to remain sluggish through fiscal year (FY) 2016 according to an Urban Institute analysis of agency reports. In FY17, states project revenue growth […]
February 20 , 2015 - Kriss Sjoblom
New general fund–state revenue forecast: up $106.8 million for 2013–15 biennium; up $129.4 million for 2015–17 biennium
The state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC) held its quarterly meeting today. The forecast of general fund–state revenue for the current biennium (2013–15) increased by $106.8 million to $33,546.6 million. The forecast of general fund-state revenue for the upcoming biennium (2015–17) increased by $129.4 million to $36,448.9 million. This is the eighth consecutive meeting […]
February 11 , 2015 - Kriss Sjoblom
January 11–February 10 state revenue collections were $53.8 million greater than forecast
At noon the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council issued its monthly Economic and Revenue Update. Here are the key bullets on revenue from the summary: Major General Fund-State revenue collections for the January 11 – February 10, 2015 collection period were $53.8 million (3.8%) higher than the November forecast. Cumulatively, collections are now $69.0 million […]
February 05 , 2015 - Emily Makings
"Too few people" buying insurance through the Healthplanfinder
The Seattle Times has a good article from Lisa Stiffler about enrollment issues at the Washington Health Benefit Exchange (HBE). I wrote last week that enrollments are well short of the HBE’s goal for this year’s open enrollment, which ends Feb. 15. Stiffler provides more details: The trouble for the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, which […]
January 30 , 2015 - Emily Makings