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Operating budget provisos include studies and work groups on tax policy, education, housing, human services, and public safety

Earlier today we published our overview of the operating budget as passed by the Legislature. (The governor has not yet signed the budget.) As always, the budget is rife with provisos that are too small to make the overview but may provide some hints as to what the Legislature might want to work on next […]

New brief: The Supplemental Operating Budget Increases Spending 3.1% and Drains the Shadow Reserve Account

The Legislature has passed a supplemental operating budget that would increase 2023–25 appropriations from funds subject to the outlook (NGFO) by $2.143 billion (3.1%). Including the supplemental, revised 2023–25 appropriations are 15.8% higher than actual 2021–23 spending. (The long-term average biennial growth is 9.8%.) Since the biennial budget was adopted last year, the NGFO revenue […]

Studies and other interesting provisos in the supplemental transportation budget

Washington is facing considerable transportation revenue and cost challenges. As I noted in my post about the conference report for the supplemental transportation budget, the budget includes language directing the state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to “seek consequential cost reduction opportunities” for the SR 520 West End project and requires a review of planned procurement […]

Net new policy items in the operating budget are estimated to cost less in the second biennium

As passed by the Legislature, the supplemental operating budget increases appropriations from funds subject to the outlook (NGFO) by $1.036 billion for new policy. As I noted last week, the new policy items would cost less in 2025–27 than in 2023–25. According to the outlook and summary documents, the new policy spending for 2023–25 approved […]

New policy in the operating budget conference report would increase appropriations by $1.036 billion

The conference report for the supplemental operating budget would increase 2023–25 appropriations from funds subject to the outlook (NGFO) by $2.143 billion. That includes maintenance level (the cost of continuing current services, adjusted for enrollment and inflation) changes and new policy. The maintenance level is estimated to increase by $1.107 billion. (The earlier House- and […]

Supplemental transportation budget conference report would increase appropriations by 8.1%, add language addressing cost challenges

The conference report for the supplemental transportation budget would increase appropriations from all budgeted funds by $1.099 billion (8.1%). Revised 2023–25 appropriations would be $14.714 billion, which is $24.3 million higher than the version passed by the Senate Feb. 27 and $252.0 million higher than the version passed by the House Feb. 24. (I wrote […]

Operating budget compromise would transfer WRPTA balance to NGFO, increase NGFO appropriations by 3.1%

The conference report for the supplemental operating budget would increase appropriations from funds subject to the outlook (NGFO) by $2.143 billion (3.1%). Revised 2023–25 NGFO appropriations would be $71.947 billion, which would be 15.8% higher than actual spending in 2021–23. The spending change in the conference supplemental is $78.6 million less than in the House-passed […]

Compromise supplemental capital budget would increase appropriations by 15.4%

The proposed supplemental capital budget would increase 2023–25 appropriations from all funds by $1.336 billion (15.4%). That’s $33.9 million more than was in the version that passed the Senate on Feb. 22 and $61.4 million more than was in the version that was approved by the House Capital Budget Committee on Feb. 23 (the full […]

Could unexpectedly high pension investment returns help to fund transportation?

The state pension system’s investments earned $22 billion more than expected in fiscal year 2021. These gains will be factored in to the calculations of contribution rates over time. All else equal, contribution rates will decline. That means savings for the state and local employers in the system. At the same time, as we’ve written, […]

New brief: Comparing the Senate- and House-Passed Supplemental Operating Budgets

The Senate and House have each passed supplemental operating budgets that would increase spending on new policies without increasing taxes. The House would increase 2023–25 appropriations by $354.9 million more than the Senate and leave less in reserves. Read the report here.