Budget

A “shared benefit” rulemaking and odds and ends from Gov. Inslee’s 2021–23 budget proposal

Gov. Inslee’s 2021–23 operating budget would appropriate $148.2 million for a “shared benefit adjustment.” For the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), this would “cover the estimated claims for the variance between services provided under the shared benefit equation and the full amount of the benefit while rulemaking takes place.” This is related to […]

Rental assistance funding in Gov. Inslee’s budget proposals and federal relief bills

The new federal relief bill appropriates $25 billion for emergency rental assistance. It will be distributed to states and local governments using the same methodology as the Coronavirus Relief Fund (except local governments will get direct federal allocations if their populations exceed 200,000 instead of 500,000). It’s not clear how much Washington will receive, but […]

How the pandemic is affecting public school funding in Washington and elsewhere in the U.S.

A New York Times article last week looked at public school funding issues related to the pandemic. The new federal aid bill, which was signed by the president on Sunday, includes $54.3 billion for the elementary and secondary school emergency relief (ESSER) fund. (That’s on top of $13.5 billion for this purpose that was part […]

Revenues are expected to keep growing (even without new taxes) and Gov. Inslee’s budget does not include funding for the working families tax credit

Last week the Everett Herald editorialized in favor of Gov. Inslee’s proposed taxes for 2021–23. A few points, for context: First, the editorial states, “Much of the Legislature’s focus when its session begins next month will be on filling an estimated $3.3 billion hole in revenue that the covid-19 pandemic and its economic downturn bore […]

Gov. Inslee’s proposed 2021–23 operating budget would increase appropriations by 7.7%

Gov. Inslee proposes increasing appropriations from funds subject to the outlook to $57.849 billion for 2021–23. That’s an increase of 7.7% from enacted 2019–21 appropriations. (If the governor’s 2021 supplemental proposal is enacted, it would be an increase of 9.6%.) The governor’s office estimates that the maintenance level (the cost of continuing current services, adjusted […]

Gov. Inslee’s proposed operating budget would impose a capital gains tax and drain the rainy day fund

Gov. Inslee has proposed a 2021 supplemental to the 2019–21 operating budget and a 2021–23 operating budget. The 2021 supplemental would reduce appropriations from funds subject to the outlook (NGFO) by $915 million. The 2021–23 proposal would appropriate $57.8 billion, including $1.7 billion in new policy. Despite the improved revenue forecast, the governor is proposing […]

OFM determines that employee CBAs are financially feasible

The Office of Financial Management (OFM) has determined that the collective bargaining agreements (CBA) negotiated with state employee unions for 2021–23 are financially feasible. By statute, this means that they will be included in Gov. Inslee’s budget proposal (RCW 41.80.010(3)). I wrote about the tentative CBAs in October. For general government employees, there is no […]

Gov. Inslee’s climate package would cap greenhouse gas emissions, implement a clean fuel standard, and partially fund the working families tax credit

Yesterday, Gov. Inslee announced a package of climate proposals, as part of his 2021-23 budget proposals. (On Monday he announced $365 million for an equity policy package.) His climate proposal includes: A cap on greenhouse gas emissions, with revenues from selling emission allowances going to a new climate investment account. “Funds from the account would […]

Gov. Inslee has begun proposing new spending for 2021–23

Gov. Inslee has begun rolling out his budget proposals. The main event—the 2021–23 operating budget—isn’t expected to be released in full until later this week. Yesterday, he announced an equity policy package. According to the governor’s office, the package would cost $365 million (from all accounts, not just funds subject to the outlook). In terms […]