Blog

A longer-term look at state budget gaps

Sunday the Seattle Times editorial board released a series of reforms necessary to guide the state back to a sustainable budget. It’s a smart list, including a number of ideas that we have written about in the Thrive Washington series and in various WRC policy briefs. As important, the editorial examines the growing gap between […]

Perspective on changes in state revenue collections

In my column this morning, I discuss how and why state revenues have fallen as a share of the economy. State revenues have fallen as a share of the economy. But it’s mostly because taxpayers rejected the higher burdens. Please go to the column for context. And, yes, revenues have even fallen since 1995 on […]

State revenues recovering slowly – still below peak

After yesterday’s forecast, we received some questions about how state revenues have performed historically. Kriss put together a graph showing Near General Fund State (NGFS) collections, including the forecast through 2013. These projections show tax receipts not climbing back to 2008 levels until the end of the biennium. This chart, tracking NGFS spending since 2000, […]

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 […]

Grappling with a $2 billion state budget shortfall

Yesterday’s official revenue forecast confirmed expectations that deteriorating economic conditions have plunged the state budget into a deep hole. The loss of $1.4 billion in anticipated revenue collections, combined with the need to build reserves, means lawmakers confront a problem approaching $2 billion. How they will handle is so far unclear. While it’s likely a […]

Tax increase proposals showing up on state ballots…

Stateline.org reports that taxpayers in more states will be voting on revenue increases. Tight budgets, several years of spending cuts and continued economic sluggishness explain part of the trend. But, more important than these, in several states voters have tied lawmakers hands by requiring legislative supermajorities or voter approval for tax increases. Also implicated is […]

State Supreme Court should rule on supermajority

Another year, another challenge to the voter-approved supermajority requirement for tax hikes. In my column in the Everett Herald, I say it’s time for the Court to put the issue to rest. The justices may again decide the case on procedural or technical grounds, ducking the threshold question. For example, they could conclude the group […]