Budget

Appropriations for the Department of Commerce and Department of Health have ballooned during the pandemic

Policy level changes in Gov. Inslee’s 2022 supplemental operating budget proposal would increase appropriations from funds subject to the outlook (NGFO) by $4.185 billion. Of that, $357.7 million would be for the Department of Commerce and $317.3 million would be for the Department of Health. Those policy changes are only exceeded by the policy changes […]

NGFO and federal relief appropriations in Gov. Inslee’s supplemental operating budget would be 16.1% above 2019–21; other federal relief would be appropriated in capital and transportation budgets

Appropriations from funds subject to the outlook (NGFO) in Gov. Inslee’s supplemental operating budget would be 18.2% over 2019–21. At the same time, his operating budget proposal would increase appropriations of federal COVID relief. Together, NGFO and federal relief appropriations in the operating budget proposal would be 16.1% over 2019–21 (after increasing by 35.2% in […]

Gov. Inslee’s 2022 supplemental transportation budget proposal would increase total budgeted transportation funds by 5.1% and shift federal and state funds into transportation accounts

The governor’s proposed supplemental transportation budget would increase appropriations from all funds by $610.7 million. Revised 2021–23 appropriations would total $12.549 billion, a 5.1% increase over the enacted biennial budget. Of the increase, state funds account for $356.9 million and federal funds account for $234.7 million. The enacted 2021–23 biennial budget had appropriated $400.0 million […]

Policy changes in the governor’s proposed operating budget would increase appropriations by $4.185 billion

Policy changes in the governor’s proposed operating budget would increase appropriations by $4.185 billion Gov. Inslee’s 2022 supplemental operating budget proposal would increase 2021–23 appropriations from funds subject to the outlook (NGFO) by 5.1% (compared to the enacted 2021–23 budget). The total increase of $3.041 billion is the net of $1.144 billion in maintenance level […]

Gov. Inslee proposes increasing NGFO appropriations for 2021–23 by 5.1% over the enacted biennial budget

The enacted 2021–23 operating budget appropriated $59.067 billion from funds subject to the outlook (NGFO). Today Gov. Inslee proposed a supplemental budget that would appropriate $62.107 billion for the biennium, an increase of 5.1% over the enacted budget. Compared to 2019–21, this level of appropriations would represent an increase of 18.2%. Under the governor’s proposal, […]

With November revenue and caseload forecasts and increased reversions, the four-year outlook has a very high unrestricted ending balance of $8.651 billion

As I noted yesterday, the state has an estimated $7.356 billion more in revenues from funds subject to the outlook (NGFO) than was expected at the end of the 2021 legislative session. Additionally, the November caseload forecast indicates that the cost of continuing current services for this biennium will be $645.8 million less than expected […]

New caseload forecast is estimated to reduce state costs by $645.8 million in 2021–23; school enrollment is a major factor

Yesterday the Caseload Forecast Council (CFC) adopted its November caseload forecast. This forecast estimates how many people will be eligible for entitlement programs. It will feed into the maintenance level (the cost of continuing current services) for the governor’s 2022 budget proposal. Overall, caseloads are now estimated to be lower than forecasted in February 2021, […]

Sundry appropriations and provisos in the operating budget

Our policy brief on the enacted operating budget provides an overarching look at the budget’s sustainability problems, and it lists the major new spending items. But many smaller-ticket items are included in the budget as well. Here are some interesting ones (in terms of funds subject to the outlook and for 2021–23, unless otherwise noted): […]

New brief: With No Budget Shortfall to Address, Legislature Spent Heavily and Potentially Created Budget Challenges for the Future

Although the state did not have a budget shortfall to address this year, the Legislature raised taxes (including a new capital gains tax) and drained the rainy day fund. It also significantly increased spending. The enacted 2021–23 operating budget (including vetoes) appropriates $59.067 billion from funds subject to the outlook, an increase of 12.4% over […]

Across operating, capital, and transportation budgets, Legislature appropriated $10.1 billion in federal relief dollars (on top of $7.2 billion previously allocated)

Over $24 billion in federal relief has flown or will flow through Washington’s state and local governments. Of that, $7.238 billion was allocated by the governor last year or appropriated by the Legislature in early action bills this session. As part of the final operating, capital, and transportation budgets this session, the Legislature appropriated an […]