Federal dollars replace rainy day fund appropriations; if the rainy day fund is replenished, there is no longer a budget shortfall
Gov. Inslee has allocated $122.2 million from the state’s share of the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) to replace funds that the state Legislature appropriated from the rainy day fund in March. If the state funds are returned to the rainy day fund, the 2019–21 budget is back in balance over four years. In March, […]
Gov. Inslee allocates additional federal funds for economic support
On Sunday, Nov. 15, Gov. Inslee announced that he would allocate $50 million of the state’s share of the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) for aid for businesses. As I wrote last week, a proposal for use of CRF dollars that the governor submitted to the Legislature on Nov. 17 also included $20 million for […]
20th of November 2020
More information on the proposed $50 million in business assistance
On Sunday, Gov. Inslee announced $50 million in aid for businesses but provided few details. Joseph O’Sullivan of the Seattle Times reports that the $50 million will come from the state’s share of the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). The governor has not formally made the allocation, but he has shared his plan with the Legislature. […]
16th of November 2020
How will Washington fund the proposed $50 million in aid for businesses?
When Gov. Inslee announced new restrictions on business and other activities yesterday, he also said that the state will provide some additional relief for businesses: To help mitigate financial impacts on businesses and their employees, the state will commit $50 million in aid. In the short term, the state is commuting $20 million be dedicated […]
3rd of November 2020
Will the state use the CRF to backfill the rainy day fund?
After a new batch of allocations, the state has about $363.9 million left of its share of the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). As I briefly noted last week, according to the Office of Program Research (OPR), it’s possible the state could use some of the remainder to backfill the rainy day fund. EHB 2965 was […]
30th of October 2020
Increased residential and in-home provider rates are the second biggest use of the coronavirus relief funds so far
On Tuesday, the Office of Financial Management (OFM) made a new round of allocations from the state’s share of the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). First, there is $8.9 million for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families caseload impacts from policy changes that waived time limit and participation requirements. Second, there is $5.1 million for the […]
23rd of October 2020
The state of Washington has $662.4 million left from federal Coronavirus Relief Fund—here’s where the money has gone so far
The federal CARES Act included the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), which distributed $2.953 billion for governments in Washington. The federal government made direct payments to the state, the city of Seattle, and King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Spokane counties. The state government’s share was $2.167 billion. Since May, the state has been distributing the funds to […]
14th of October 2020
State support for businesses and the economy
Yesterday Gov. Inslee announced the formation of the Washington Recovery Group. This is “a new state effort to help communities recover from the social and economic damage wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.” It will be housed in the Office of Financial Management and “will help state agencies coordinate with local governments, higher education and the […]
28th of September 2020
$671.9 million is left of the state’s coronavirus relief fund share
The state of Washington has now allocated $1.495 billion of the $2.167 billion it received from the federal coronavirus relief fund (part of the CARES Act). Since my last post on the state’s allocations of this funding, the state has distributed additional funds to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and the Employment […]
16th of September 2020
$11.9 million in disaster cash assistance distributed through July
The Economic Services Administration (part of the Department of Social and Health Services) runs the state’s Disaster Cash Assistance Program (DCAP). In declared emergencies, the program provides cash to people who “don’t have the money to meet their basic needs.” These are generally one-time funds, but this year, someone could qualify once if affected by […]