Update to state revenue forecast sets stage for supplemental budget
The state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC) met on Thursday (Feb. 15) to update the forecast of state revenue. The forecast of general fund–state (GFS) revenue for the current biennium (2017–19) increased by $647.0 million to $44,212.9 million. The forecast of GFS revenue for the following biennium (2019–21) increased by $671.2 million to $48,253.4 […]
February 02 , 2018 - Emily Makings
Notes from the budget-required studies on data centers, drug prices, and publicly-owned banks
As part of the 2017–19 operating budget, the Legislature required that several studies be conducted. Three were due in Dec. 2017: on data centers, prescription drug price transparency, and the feasibility of a publicly-owned state bank. Data Centers: The Department of Commerce produced a detailed report on the data center industry in Washington. It writes, […]
January 23 , 2018 - Emily Makings
Private-sector union membership increased in Washington in 2017
Last week the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the national union membership rate was 10.7 percent in 2017—the same rate as in 2016. In Washington, the union membership rate was 18.7 percent in 2017, up from 17.4 percent in 2016. For 2017, Washington has the third-highest union membership rate in the nation. Professors Barry […]
January 15 , 2018 - Emily Makings
New policy brief: Strong Economy Continues to Boost State Revenue Collections
Reflecting better than anticipated economic performance ERFC increased the forecast by $279 million in September and by $304 million in November. It is likely that in February ERFC will again revise the forecast upward. As legislators prepare their supplemental budget they should not assume that this pattern of regular increases to the forecast will continue. […]
January 04 , 2018 - Emily Makings
Apple growers and regulatory fatigue
The New York Times ran a good story last week on the regulatory burden experienced by apple growers. It focuses on a family operation in New York, but the story will be familiar for Washington growers and other businesses. This is life on the farm — and at businesses of all sorts. With thick rule […]
October 27 , 2017 - Mary Strow
October 27 , 2017 - Emily Makings
How the NAFTA renegotiation could impact Washington agriculture
President Trump has been suggesting that the U.S. could withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). For example, The Hill reports that earlier this week, “He told the senators that the United States may need to start the six-month withdrawal process to reach a better agreement with Canada and Mexico. Trump has previously […]
October 17 , 2017 - Emily Makings
Value of agricultural production in Washington down slightly in 2016
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, agricultural production in Washington in 2016 had a total value of $10.630 billion (down from $10.719 billion in 2015). The top ten commodities by value were apples, milk, potatoes, cattle and calves, wheat, cherries, hay, hops, grapes, and pears. Together, their value accounted for 71.7 percent of the […]
October 08 , 2017 - Mary Strow
September 28 , 2017 - Mary Strow