Blog

The state’s gross fuel tax revenue forecast appears to be on autopilot

The Feb. 2024 transportation revenue forecast estimates that transportation revenues (including, e.g., revenues from motor vehicle fuel taxes; licenses, permits, and fees; ferries; and tolls) will be $6.990 billion in 2023–25. That’s an increase of 0.01% compared to the Nov. 2023 forecast and a decrease of 0.79% compared to the March 2023 forecast (on which […]

Legislative budget writers have more revenues to work with than the governor; it’s unclear how today’s caseload forecast will affect spending

As Kriss noted on Wednesday, the Feb. 2024 forecast of revenues from funds subject to the outlook (NGFO) was increased by $337 million over the outlook period (this biennium and next). That figure is compared to the Nov. 2023 revenue forecast, on which the governor based his 2024 supplemental operating budget proposal. Compared to the […]

Senate supplemental capital budget proposal would increase 2023–25 appropriations by 14.7% and would take a measured approach to the use of uncertain funds

This morning, the Senate supplemental capital budget proposal was released by Ways & Means Capital Budget Vice Chair Mullet and Ranking Member Schoesler. (It is scheduled to be heard by Ways & Means this afternoon.) It would increase capital budget appropriations by $1.277 billion (14.7%). Revised 2023–25 capital budget appropriations would be $9.938 billion, which […]

A reduction to the capital gains revenue forecast, and some budget context

During yesterday’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC) meeting, ERFC Executive Director Dave Reich said that the capital gains revenue forecast was adjusted down because of a double count in fiscal year 2024 and a coding error by the Department of Revenue. As a result, compared to the November 2023 forecast, revenues from the capital […]

A modest increase to the forecast of state revenues

At its quarterly meeting this morning, the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC) updated its forecasts of state revenues. These new forecasts increase the amount available to budget writers over the current and next bienniums combined by a total of $337 million. Budget reports from legislative fiscal committees typically roll up four accounts: the […]

Unemployment insurance for striking workers?

Currently, striking workers are ineligible for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits in Washington. SB 5777 would make striking workers eligible for UI at the earlier of the Sunday following the first day of the strike or the date the strike ends. Additionally, under current law, employees who are represented by a multi-employer bargaining unit are ineligible […]

The truly good news about Washington state in the new ITEP report

On January 9, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) released the 7th edition of its widely cited “Who Pays” study. Ostensibly, the good news in this report is that Washington state’s state and local tax system is no longer the most regressive in the U.S. and that the tax rate on the poorest […]

Education funding bills on the move: special education, paraeducators, operating costs, and capital spending

Gov. Inslee’s operating budget proposal includes three major education funding proposals: Additionally, his capital budget proposal would increase the construction cost allocation that is part of the SCAP funding formula from $272 per square foot to $350. The Legislature is moving several education funding bills but is not exactly following the governor’s lead. For example, […]

What constitutes an alternative to an initiative to the Legislature?

The Secretary of State has certified six initiatives to the Legislature this year: Meanwhile, bills are moving in the Legislature this year that could be considered alternatives to I-2117 and I-2124. Whether they would go to the ballot as alternatives if passed by the Legislature has not been definitively answered. Under the state constitution (Article […]

Making benefits portable and other long-term care program changes could increase premiums by 0.03% to 0.05% (and does statute allow funds to be used out of state?)

The state’s long-term care program, for which premiums began to be collected on July 1, 2023, is called the long-term services and supports (LTSS) trust program in statute. State law requires biennial actuarial audits of the program. The most recent actuarial audit was performed by Milliman in 2022. It estimated that the 0.58% premium rate […]