Blog

Inflation-adjusted state spending for K–12 has increased since 2020 (though growth has slowed compared to the McCleary response years)

Today, State Superintendent Reykdal noted the improved state revenue forecast and asked legislators to continue to increase state funding for K–12 education: With additional revenue expected, it is unclear whether further cuts to education are being considered. With a shortfall of nearly $1 billion per year in funding for the basic education that is granted […]

Governor proposes increasing the use of WEIA to supplant other funds for higher education

The workforce education investment account (WEIA, a fund subject to the outlook) may be used “only for higher education programs, higher education operations, higher education compensation, state-funded student aid programs, and workforce development” (RCW 43.79.201). Until last year, WEIA expenditures were statutorily required to supplement, not supplant, other funding for higher education. The enacted 2025–27 […]

OSPI submits comparatively modest request for 2026 supplemental budget

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is requesting a $138.5 million (0.4%) increase in general fund–state (GFS) appropriations for the 2026 supplemental. (The proposal would cost $343.7 million in 2027–29.) Though modest compared to the amount of enacted GFS appropriations for K–12 in 2025–27 ($31.050 billion), the request includes some major new spending. […]

Legislature did not increase property tax growth limits, but it did allow school districts to increase their enrichment levies (if approved by voters)

When House and Senate Democrats announced a new tax package proposal on April 15, it included HB 2049. As introduced, HB 2049 would have increased the property tax growth limit for the state and local governments and increased the maximum per pupil limits for school district enrichment levies. At the time, I showed that the […]

New WEIA revenues would be used to supplant other funds for higher education

In 2019, the Legislature imposed a business & occupation (B&O) tax surcharge on certain businesses to help fund higher education. Under current law, 14.3% of collections from the 1.75% B&O tax rate for businesses in the “service and other activities” category is deposited in the workforce education investment account (WEIA). Additionally, all the revenues from […]

Higher education funding would stay about the same in 2025–27 budgets, despite major tax increase proposals

In legislative testimony and a Substack piece, UW economist Jacob Vigdor has suggested that Washington needs a wealth tax so that it can increase funding for higher education. This premise is belied by the House- and Senate-passed budgets. (I wrote about Vigdor’s taxation points yesterday.) First, regarding poor educational outcomes in Washington, Vigdor writes, Any […]

To close an estimated $8.7 billion maintenance level shortfall, Senate Democrats propose $17 billion in net new taxes

Today Senate Democrats released their revenue proposals for the 2025–27 operating budget. (The budget itself will be released on Monday.) They would impose a wealth tax (dubbed the financial intangibles tax) and a payroll expense tax, increase the property tax growth limit, and repeal several tax exemptions. They would also reduce the state sales tax […]

Stop judging K–12 funding by its share of the state budget

Last week, Superintendent of Public Instruction Reykdal said that the state should make it a goal to direct 50% of the state budget to K–12. In 2019–21, K–12 made up 51.6% of spending from funds subject to the outlook (NGFO). In 2023–25, K–12 accounts for 43.4% of NGFO appropriations. Policymakers and others from both sides […]

Will the ECEAP entitlement ever be implemented?

The Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is a state-funded preschool program. It is currently scheduled to become an entitlement in SY 2026–27. However, Gov. Inslee’s budget would delay the entitlement until SY 2030–31, which is beyond the budget outlook window. If the Legislature enacts this delay, it would be the fourth time it […]

UW requests more state support for the behavioral health teaching facility and for UW employee compensation

The University of Washington’s 2025–27 operating budget request is just 2.1% above 2023–25 general fund–state (GFS) appropriations. However, the request includes substantial maintenance and policy increases that are offset by a large carry-forward level reduction. (See the box at the bottom of this post for budget and fund terminology.) The carry-forward level is reduced by […]