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Washington adopts goal to double the manufacturing employment base in the next decade

Gov. Inslee has signed SHB 1170. According to the bill, the legislature intends to identify and invest in strategies to ensure every geographic region of the state can benefit from a strong manufacturing and research and development base, with the goal of doubling the state’s manufacturing employment base, the number of small businesses, and the […]

In Washington 17,281 filed initial claims for regular unemployment insurance last week

This morning the state Employment Security Department (ESD) gave its weekly report on unemployment insurance claims. ESD reported a total of 22,322 initial claims for unemployment insurance during the week ending April 10. Of this total, 17,281 initial claims were filed under the regular state unemployment insurance program; 2,249 claims were under the federal pandemic […]

In Washington 11,863 filed initial claims for regular unemployment insurance last week

This morning the state Employment Security Department (ESD) gave its weekly report on unemployment insurance claims. ESD reported a total of 16,899 initial claims for unemployment insurance during the week ending April 3. Of this total, 11,863 initial claims were filed under the regular state unemployment insurance program; 2,102 claims were under the federal pandemic […]

Update on personal income, consumer spending and saving rates during the COVID-19 recession

Here are updates of two charts I have previously posted regarding income and consumer spending during the COVID-19 recession, including new numbers for February and revisions to numbers for prior months. As a result of the $900 billion federal relief package enacted in late December, personal income rose 10.1% from December to January. Consumer spending […]

In Washington 11,398 filed initial claims for regular unemployment insurance last week

This morning the state Employment Security Department (ESD) gave its weekly report on unemployment insurance claims. ESD reported a total of 18,654 initial claims for unemployment insurance during the week ending March 20. Of this total, 11,398 initial claims were filed under the regular state unemployment insurance program; 3,383 claims were under the federal pandemic […]

In Washington 11,699 filed initial claims for regular unemployment insurance last week

Yesterday morning the state Employment Security Department (ESD) gave its weekly report on unemployment insurance claims. ESD reported a total of 18,970 initial claims for unemployment insurance during the week ending March 13. Of this total, 11,699 initial claims were filed under the regular state unemployment insurance program; 3,041 claims were under the federal pandemic […]

The 2020 revenue rollercoaster has returned to where it started, and the current budget balances without increasing taxes or using the rainy day fund

State revenues from funds subject to the outlook (NGFO) are now back to what was expected in Feb. 2020—the forecast on which the current budget was based. Kriss wrote about today’s revenue forecast here. Compared to Feb. 2020, revenues are now expected to be down $355.47 million for 2019–21, up $297.67 million for 2021–23, and […]

Happy days are here again, forecast of state revenues increased

At its quarterly meeting today, the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC) updated its forecast of state revenues. This new forecast adds nearly $3.3 billion to the amount available over the remainder of the current biennium and the next biennium. In recent years, budget reports from legislative fiscal committees have typically rolled up three […]

State tax collections again exceed forecast

Today’s monthly report from the state’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC) on general fund revenue collections once again brought good news. For the sales tax, the use tax, the business and occupation tax, the public utility tax, the tobacco products tax, and penalties and interest (collectively the Revenue Act receipts), this report covers payments […]

In Washington 11,760 filed initial claims for regular unemployment insurance last week

This morning the state Employment Security Department (ESD) gave its weekly report on unemployment insurance claims. ESD reported a total of 17,844 initial claims for unemployment insurance during the week ending March 6. Of this total, 11,760 initial claims were filed under the regular state unemployment insurance program; 2,354 claims were under the federal pandemic […]