New report: McCleary Deadline Approaching, But How Long Will the Solution Last?
In a new report, we write about the McCleary decision, education funding enhancements the state has made in response, and what remains to be done. We also provide background on the state property tax system and school funding. Briefly: State funding for public schools has increased by 40.6 percent since 2009–11. Washington had the third highest funding […]
April 05 , 2016 - Emily Makings
New brief: 2016 Supplemental Operating Budget Doesn't Increase Taxes But Does Tap the Rainy Day Fund
Last week the Legislature passed a 2016 supplemental operating budget. We review the budget in a new policy brief. Briefly: 2015–17 NFGS+ spending will increase by $190.9 million. Biennial spending increases to $38.223 billion. The supplemental does not increase taxes. It appropriates $189.5 from the rainy day fund for wildfire costs. It balances over four […]
March 07 , 2016 - Emily Makings
New brief: Supplemental Maintenance Level Changes Are Driven By the Health Care Authority
Health Care Authority (HCA) maintenance level increases make up the vast majority of all maintenance level changes in the 2016 supplemental operating budget proposals. If adopted, HCA maintenance level changes would increase spending by $159.1 million. We take a look at the issue in a new policy brief. Briefly: The HCA administers Washington’s Medicaid program. […]
February 29 , 2016 - Emily Makings
New brief: Senate-Passed Supplemental Operating Budget Would Modestly Increase Spending Within Existing Revenues
On Friday, the Senate passed a 2016 supplemental operating budget proposal. We describe the proposal in a new policy brief. Briefly, As passed by the Senate, the supplemental would increase NGFS+ spending by $33.6 million. The proposal would fund public charter schools. It would provide additional support for higher education related to last year’s tuition […]
February 26 , 2016 - Emily Makings
New brief: House-Passed Supplemental Operating Budget Would Increase Spending, Increase Taxes, and Tap the Rainy Day Fund
The House passed a 2016 supplemental operating budget last night. In a new policy brief, we take a look at the House-passed proposal. Briefly: As passed by the House, the supplemental would increase 2015–17 NGFS+ spending by $478.4 million. Of that, $99.0 million would be spent to recruit and retain teachers and school staff. The […]
February 17 , 2016 - Emily Makings
New report: By Mandating A Specific Compensation Mix, Labor Policies Take Flexibility Out of the Equation
In a new report, we take a look at various labor policy issues that are being discussed in the state this year. Briefly: An initiative has been filed that would increase the state minimum wage. It would also mandate paid sick leave statewide. The House has passed a wage parity bill. The House and Senate […]
January 28 , 2016 - Emily Makings
New brief: Gov. Inslee’s Teacher Shortage Proposal: Good Policy, Bad Timing?
When Gov. Inslee proposed his 2016 supplemental budget, he also proposed a teacher recruitment and retention plan. We take a look at it in a new policy brief: Gov. Inslee’s Teacher Shortage Proposal: Good Policy, Bad Timing? Briefly: Gov. Inslee proposes increasing salaries for teachers and other school staff. Newer teachers would get the largest […]
January 14 , 2016 - Emily Makings
New brief: Gov. Inslee’s 2016 Supplemental Operating Budget Proposal Would Increase 2015–17 Spending by 1.4 Percent
In a new policy brief, we look at Gov. Inslee's proposed 2016 supplemental operating budget. Briefly: Costs for firefighting and other services are significantly higher than anticipated when the original 2015–17 budget was enacted. The proposal would increase 2015–17 spending by $520.5 million. An additional $178.2 million would be spent from the Budget Stabilization Account […]
January 12 , 2016 - Emily Makings
New report: Washington Businesses Account for 58 Percent of State and Local Tax Collections
In a new report, we look at recent publications from the Council On State Taxation and the Tax Foundation. Briefly: Nationally, business tax revenues were up 2.2 percent in 2014. Washington state’s total effective business tax rate (TEBTR) rose to 5.4 percent in 2014. State and local governments tax Washington businesses an average of $7,700 […]
December 16 , 2015 - Emily Makings
County spending and revenue reports: Pierce, Snohomish, Benton and Franklin
Today we've published stand-alone reports on the spending and revenues of Pierce County, Snohomish County, Benton County, and Franklin County. Previously we released a report on King County and a complete report comparing the five counties.