New general fund state revenue forecast: up $156 million for 2013-15 biennium; up $234 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 $156.6 million to $33,169.9 million. The forecast of general fund-state revenue for the upcoming biennium (2015-17) increased by $238.3 million to $35,935.2 million. Budget reports from legislative fiscal committees […]
June 13 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
State Supreme Court orders lawmakers to explain why they should not be held in contempt on school funding
The Court’s has long signaled its impatience with the legislature’s slow progress toward meeting the McCleary obligation to fund basic education. Wait until next year wasn’t going to work again. Yesterday’s action – an order to appear at a show cause hearing – steps up the pressure. The state’s response to the order is to be […]
June 11 , 2014 - Kriss Sjoblom
May 11 – June 10 state revenue collections were $60.5 million above forecast
This morning 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 May 11 – June 10, 2014 collection period were $60.5 million (3.4%) higher than the February forecast. Cumulatively, collections are now $122.2 million […]
May 23 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Grab your budget calculator: Costs rising for Washington's 2015 legislative session
We previously noted the governor’s enthusiasm for public employee pay increases and new revenues. The Olympian has more today. …[Inslee] got a standing ovation when he said it was “unacceptable” workers had gone six years without a general pay raise, according to federation spokesman Tim Welch. Inslee’s spokesmen did not dispute that he called the lack […]
May 20 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Seattle Times editorial board favors data-center tax incentives. Here's why they're right.
The Times editorial gets right to the point. When lawmakers return for business in January, they should reauthorize Washington’s server-farm tax break, and pronto. Our September 2013 report, Economic Impact of Data Centers on Central Washington (clever title, that), helps explain why. World class industries have located in Central Washington, providing stable, diversified em- ployment and expanded tax bases for […]
May 19 , 2014 - Emily Makings
ACA fee could cost Washington $225 million over 10 years
The Affordable Care Act includes a provision that requires the health insurance industry to pay a fee totaling $8 billion in 2014, growing to $14.3 billion in 2018, and then indexed to premium growth. Health insurers will pay a portion of that fee based on their market share. For-profit insurers who provide Medicaid managed care […]
May 15 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
"Day of Action" for $15 minimum wage, union-backed strikes and the risks of urban progressivism
Another day of fast-food “strikes” inspired and promoted by labor unions to set a $15 minimum wage. (KING 5 has video of the Seattle activity.) Josh Eidelson, a former union organizer, writes at Salon about the day’s events. The actions, which will be announced at a noon press event in Manhattan, were discussed this week in New […]
May 14 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Filing week begins: Quiz candidates on education funding, transportation, and the skills gap
This is the filing week, when candidates declare their intent to run in the 2014 elections. This year’s ballot includes all 10 U.S. House seats, including the open seat in the 4th District in Eastern Washington where Doc Hastings is retiring, the secretary of state’s office said. Also on the ballot are all 98 members of […]
May 12 , 2014 - Kriss Sjoblom
April 11 – May10 state revenue collections were $36.1 million above forecast
Late Monday 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 April 11 – May 10, 2014 collection period were $36.1 million (2.9%) higher than the February forecast. Cumulatively, collections are now $61.8 […]
May 01 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Legislative response to state Supreme Court's McCleary mandate to fund basic education: "We tried. Wait until next year."
The Legislature met its deadline to report to the state Supreme Court on progress toward meeting the McCleary funding requirements. (Background here.) The 58-page report did not lay out a specific, year-to-year funding plan, but did describe the progress lawmakers have already made, primarily in the 2013 legislative session. The committee charged with reporting to the […]