Blog

The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Workers' Comp Audit

The State Auditor’s Office has released its 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) Summary.  Total government expenses declined 7.42 percent from 2010, with the largest reductions coming from workers’ compensation (-71.44 percent) and unemployment insurance (-21.97 percent). Unemployment compensation activity reported operating income of $171 million in fiscal year 2011 versus a loss of $985 […]

Boeing contract a good deal for all Washingtonians … bonus checks tomorrow

As part of the agreement ratified last week by Boeing Machinists, members get a $5,000 signing bonus. The checks go out tomorrow, a day I call Boeing Thursday in this morning's column in The Herald of Everett. Not quite Cyber Monday or Black Friday, but a good deal for Puget Sound area retailers and our […]

WA One of Four States with Current Year Budget Shortfall

Today the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) released a Fall 2011 State Budget Update: Better revenue performance is driving the improvement in state finances. Collections in most states have stabilized or are growing, and the general revenue outlook for the remainder of the fiscal year reflects confidence in continued modest growth. However, recent global […]

Washington ranks 7th on Forbes "best states for business" list

In a lousy economy these rankings tend to get less attention. Given that the "best states" concept is itself full of subjective assessments, that's probably not a bad thing.  But for the list inclined, here's the Forbes scorecard. Utah's No. 1; Maine comes in last. 

Will Washington voters approve higher taxes? It's a tough sell.

In my column this morning, I take a look at recent election results and the state revenue collections report to consider the likelihood of voter approval of new taxes to balance the state budget. It’s never risky to bet against tax hikes. Good times or bad, voters are reluctant to part with their money. Colorado […]

A look at the budget math for the special legislative session (and the general)

In my column in The News Tribune this morning, I examine the tough math facing lawmakers and the governor as they try to balance the state budget, which now faces a $2 billion gap between available revenues and planned spending. The economy, under the most optimistic growth scenarios, will not grow fast enough to fill […]

Boeing CEO explains what business wants from the other Washington

A good op-ed by Boeing CEO Jim McNerney appears in today’s Wall Street Journal. For the good of the nation, our elected leaders must now find it within themselves to pass sound laws, regulate judiciously, and put aside escalating tactical political battles. If the super committee succeeds [in its deficit-reduction mission], the White House and […]

Gregoire on Cutting $2 Billion from State Budget: "Dreadful"

Consider Gov. Gregoire's press conference yesterday the kickoff for the official annual budget contest (it just doesn't seem appropriate to call something this consequential a "game"). As Austin Jenkins writes in the Washington Ledge, the conference had an air of deja vu. Throughout the recession, we've witnessed many such announcements, with many of the same […]

WRC Policy Briefs on Ballot Measures

Ballots are in the mail for the general election.  In case you missed any of them, here are our policy briefs on the ballot measures: Initiative 1183 Would Produce Revenue Gains for State and Local Governments State Analysts and WRC Agree: I-1183 Generates Positive State/Local Revenues I-1125: Jamming Transportation Planning I-1163: Once, Twice, Still Not […]

State Analysts and WRC Agree: I-1183 Generates Positive State/Local Revenues

We have posted a Policy Brief titled State Analysts and WRC Agree: I-1183 Generates Positive State/Local Revenues. Here is a link to the brief.