» State Budget

By: researchcounci
3:15 pm
May 24, 2017

Policy Brief: The Supplemental Operating Budget Increases Spending 3.1% and Drains the Shadow Reserve Account March 20, 2024

Policy Brief: Comparing the Senate- and House-Passed Supplemental Operating Budgets Feb. 29, 2024

Special Report: The Transportation Budget, Transportation Revenues, and Long-Term Funding Challenges Nov. 6, 2023

Policy Brief: Modest Operating Budget Growth in Inflationary Times July 10, 2023

Policy Brief: Comparing the Senate- and House-Passed Operating Budgets April 10, 2023

Policy Brief: Historically Large Supplemental Budget Also Sets Aside Significant (But Unprotected) Reserves April 28, 2022

Policy Brief: Biennial-Sized Spending in a Supplemental Year: Comparing the Senate- and House-Passed Budgets March 4, 2022

Policy Brief: A Surplus of $11.249 Billion: Gov. Inslee Would Increase Spending, but a Sustainable Budget Could Include Tax Reductions Feb. 2, 2022

Policy Brief: How Should the State Spend Its Substantial Surplus? Dec. 14, 2021

Policy Brief: With No Budget Shortfall to Address, Legislature Spent Heavily and Potentially Created Budget Challenges for the Future June 16, 2021

Policy Brief: Senate- and House-Passed Operating Budgets Would Needlessly Drain the Rainy Day Fund April 19, 2021

Policy Brief: State Revenues Are Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels March 22, 2021

Policy Brief: Washington Does Not Have a Budget Shortfall Feb. 12, 2021

Policy Brief: Delaying Budget Action Would Deepen the Pain July 24, 2020

Special Report: State Budgeting in the Great Recession, and Lessons for Today July 1, 2020

Policy Brief: How Much of the State Budget is “Protected”? May 26, 2020

Policy Brief: While Acknowledging the Increasingly Negative Economic Outlook, the Legislature Increases Appropriations by 20.5 Percent March 30, 2020

Policy Brief: House-Passed Budget Would Increase 2019–21 Appropriations by $1.178 billion—21.0 Percent Above 2017–19 March 6, 2020

Policy Brief: Senate-Passed Budget Would Increase 2019–21 Appropriations by $1.132 billion—20.9 Percent Above 2017–19 March 4, 2020

Policy Brief: Comparing the 2020 Supplemental Operating Budgets March 3, 2020

Policy Brief: Gov. Inslee’s 2020 Supplemental Operating Budget Would Tap the Rainy Day Fund Jan. 14, 2020

Policy Brief: Despite Substantial Recent Revenue Growth, Legislature Increases Taxes by Over $1 Billion May 22, 2019

Policy Brief: State Operating Appropriations for 2019–21 Increase by 18.3 Percent, Topping $50 Billion May 16, 2019

Policy Brief: Legislature Adopts New Taxes to Increase 2019–21 Spending by 18.3 Percent May 8, 2019

Policy Brief: House- and Senate-Passed Operating Budgets Would Increase Taxes to Pay for Billions in New Policy Spending April 18, 2019

Policy Brief: Comparing the 2019-21 Operating Budgets April 10, 2019

Policy Brief: A Capital Gains Tax Would Not Improve Budget Sustainability April 5, 2019

Policy Brief: Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair’s Proposed Operating Budget Would Increase Spending by $7.5 Billion April 2, 2019

Policy Brief: House Appropriations Chair’s Proposed Operating Budget Would Increase Spending by $8 Billion March 27, 2019

Policy Brief: A Tax Expenditure Budget Wouldn’t Improve State Tax Policy March 7, 2019

Policy Brief: Washington’s Budget Sustainability Requirements Work When Followed Jan. 4, 2019

Policy Brief: Gov. Inslee Proposes a 22.3 Percent Spending Increase for 2019–21 Jan. 2, 2019

Policy Brief: Washington Spending Review: Spending Up 44 Percent Since Pre-Recession Peak Dec. 12, 2018

Policy Brief: Washington Revenue Review: Revenues Are Still Growing Strong, But for How Long? Dec. 7, 2018

Policy Brief: In the 2018 Supplemental, the School Salary Increase is Fully Funded, But the Rainy Day Fund is Shortchanged March 15, 2018

Policy Brief: The Senate- and House-Passed Supplemental Budgets Would Fully Fund School Salary Increases Feb. 28, 2018

Policy Brief: ERFC Adopts Outlook for Governor’s Supplemental Budget Showing It Balances Over Four Years Jan. 25, 2018

Policy Brief: Legislature Has Used Rainy Day Fund Each Biennium Except 2011–13 Jan. 12, 2018

Policy Brief: Gov. Inslee’s 2018 Supplemental Operating Budget Would Increase Spending by $960.8 Million Dec. 19, 2017

Special Report: Has the State Finally Closed the Book on McCleary? Aug. 17, 2017

Policy Brief: Legislature Passes 2017-19 Operating Budget That Increases Spending by $5.3 Billion July 18, 2017

Policy Brief: Senate- and House-Passed Capital Budgets Include About $1 Billion for Public Schools May 4, 2017

Policy Brief: Comparing the Capital Budgets April 27, 2017

Policy Brief: House-Passed 2017-19 Operating Budget Would Increase Spending by $6.4 Billion April 17, 2017

Policy Brief: Comparing the Operating Budgets April 11, 2017

Policy Brief: Comparing the Education Funding Proposals, Second Edition April 6, 2017

Policy Brief: Senate-Passed 2017-19 Operating Budget Would Increase Spending by $4.9 Billion April 3, 2017

Gov. Inslee’s 2017-19 Operating Budget Proposal Would Significantly Increase Spending and Taxes Jan. 17, 2017

How Medicaid and Prescription Drug Spending Impact the State Budget Nov. 15, 2016

2016 Supplemental Operating Budget Doesn’t Increase Taxes But Does Tap the Rainy Day Fund April 5, 2016

Supplemental Maintenance Level Changes Are Driven By the Health Care Authority March 7, 2016

Senate-Passed Supplemental Operating Budget Would Modestly Increase Spending Within Existing Revenues February 29, 2016

House-Passed Supplemental Operating Budget Would Increase Spending, Increase Taxes, and Tap the Rainy Day Fund February 26, 2016

Gov. Inslee’s Teacher Shortage Proposal: Good Policy, Bad Timing? January 28, 2016

Gov. Inslee’s 2016 Supplemental Operating Budget Proposal Would Increase 2015–17 Spending by 1.4 Percent January 14, 2016

Improving Economy Allows for Significant Spending on Education Without New Taxes July 17, 2015

A Current Law Transportation Budget is Enacted; Will a New Transportation Revenue Package be Next? June 26, 2015

The 2015–17 Budget Undercard: Capital Appropriations June 9, 2015

College Affordability, Two Ways May 4, 2015

Levy Swap: Tax Increases, Tax Reductions, Unanswered Questions April 20, 2015

2015-17 Operating Budget: Spending Priorities April 10, 2015

Gov. Inslee’s Capital Gains Tax Proposal. February 9, 2015

Higher Education Policy and the State Budget January 26, 2015

Governor Inslee’s 2015–17 Operating Budget Proposal January 22, 2015

2015–17 Budget Preview: McCleary Not the Only Cloud on the Budget Horizon August 19, 2014

Initiative 1351 Class Size Reduction: A $4.7 Billion Unfunded Mandate with Dubious Educational Merit August 13, 2014

The 2014 Supplemental Budget Increases Education Spending, Holds Line on New Taxes, and Fails to Extend R&D Credits March 20, 2014

House- and Senate-Passed 2014 Supplementals are Mostly Similar, but Present Distinct Options March 6, 2014

House Appropriations Chair’s Proposed 2014 Supplemental Largely Tracks Senate Proposal February 27, 2014

Senate Ways and Means Chair’s Proposed 2014 Supplemental Increases Education Spending, Reduces Taxes February 25, 2014

Minimal Changes to 2013-15 Budget in Gov. Inslee’s Proposed Supplemental January 14, 2014

2013-15 Operating Budget Mostly Avoids New Taxes, Prioritizes Education July 12, 2013

Assumptions Gap Divides Legislative Budget Proposals May 2, 2013

House Would Tax and Spend over $1 Billion More than Senate in 2013-15 April 17, 2013

Increasing Education Spending in 2013-15: New Taxes or Re-Prioritization? April 5, 2013

Revenue and Caseload Forecasts Set the Stage for Budget Writers March 29, 2013

Governor Gregoire’s 2013-15 Budget Proposal January 9, 2013

Increasing the 2011-13 Capital Budget May 24, 2012

Balancing the Operating Budget May 14, 2012

A Small Step for Public Pension Reform May 11, 2012

Changes to Public School Employee Health Insurance Coverage May 4, 2012

Legislature Closes the 2011-13 Budget Gap, At Last April 20, 2012

Comparing House and Senate Supplemental Budgets March 8, 2012

House Ways & Means Chair’s Proposed 2012 Supplemental February 24, 2012

The First 2012 Supplemental Budget February 1, 2012

The Drag of Unfunded Commitments January 24, 2012

Governor’s 2012 Supplemental Budget Proposal December 5, 2011

The Budget Arc: State Spending from Expansion to Recession, 2003-2013 November 8,2011

I-1163: Once, Twice, Still Not a Priority October 7, 2011

SJR 8206: A Prudent Savings Measure September 19, 2011

State Analysts and WRC Agree: I-1183 Generates Positive State/Local Revenues September 16, 2011

The 2011-13 Budget and the Upcoming Revenue Forecast September 6, 2011

Higher Education: State Funding Down, Tuition Up May 6, 2011

Class Sizes Up, Compensation Down for Public Schools May 2, 2011

For Human Services, Cuts All Around April 27, 2011

So Close and Yet So Far Away April 22, 2011

Reforming Public Pensions April 20, 2011

Senate Ways & Means Chair’s Budget Plan Cuts Deeper Than House April 14, 2011

House Democrats’ Budget Plan is a Good Starting Point April 6, 2011

March Forecast: Revenue Down, Uncertainty Up March 18, 2011

After Supplemental Number Four, 2009-11 Budget Still Not Balanced February 25, 2011

House Passes Incomplete Supplemental Budget January 27, 2011

Governor Gregoire’s 2011-13 Budget Proposal December 24, 2010

Governor’s Proposed 2011 Supplemental Budget December 22, 2010

In and Out: Second 2010 Special Session Lasts One Day December 14, 2010

Initiative 1053: Requiring a Two-Thirds Majority to Increase Taxes September 29, 2010

Referendum 52: $505 Million to Fund Energy Savings at Universities, Colleges, and Public Schools September 29, 2010

The 2010 Supplemental Budget May 12, 2010

The Senate and House Spending Plans March 11, 2010

Update on the House and Senate Tax Packages March 10, 2010

Legislature Considers Bills that Would Increase Tort Costs March 1, 2010

Governor Gregoire’s Tax Package February 23, 2010

House Bill 3176: “An act relating to increasing state revenues to preserve funding for education, public safety, health care, and safety net services for elderly, disabled, and vulnerable people by preventing abusive tax avoidance transactions, narrowing or eliminating certain tax preferences, and providing equitable tax treatment” February 12, 2010

Gregoire Presents Book 2 Budget January 15, 2010

The Economic Impact of Hiking Taxes to Close the Budget Gap January 8, 2010

Governor Gregoire Presents Current Revenue Supplemental Budget December 11, 2009

Seven in a Row: State Revenue Forecast Reduced Again November 20, 2009

Are We There Yet? State Revenue Forecast Reduced Again September 17, 2009

Time Will TEL: Voters to Decide the Fate of Initiative 1033 September 10, 2009

Senate and House Budget Proposals Kick the Gap Forward to 2011-13 (WashACE) April 10, 2009

Biennial Revenue Still Growing — Barely (WashACE) March 20, 2009

June Reduction to Revenue Forecast Widens 2009-11 Budget Gap (WashACE) June 23, 2008

House and Senate Turn Attention to the 2008 Supplemental Budget March 10, 2008

Revenue Forecast Lowered February 19, 2008

Governor Gregoire’s Supplemental Budget Would Boost Spending by $234 Million January 14, 2008

Looking Forward to a Rainy Day in November September 28, 2007

Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Quash Initiative 960, Measure Moves to the November Ballot September 11, 2007

Senate and House Head Towards a Compromise Budget April 17, 2007

One Thing You Can Count on in Olympia is a Rainy Day March 1, 2007

Building Us Up for a Fall? Construction and State Tax Revenue February 27, 2007

Connecting With Health Care February 26, 2007

Gain-Sharing Pain Sharing February 22, 2007

Governor Gregoire Proposes 2007-09 Budget with $1.2 Billion Structural Deficit January 3, 2007

Restoring the General Fund in 2007 (WashACE) November 17, 2006

Fully Recognizing the Benefits of Retirement April 5, 2006

House Supplemental Budget Has Familiar Look February 23, 2006

Senate Budget: Not Quite Restrained Enough February 21, 2006

Public Retirement Program: Brain-Drain vs. Retire-Rehire February 17, 2006

Contracting: Unfulfilled Promise of Personnel Reform (WashACE) February 2, 2006

Misguided Pension Benefit May Cost Billions January 27, 2006

Diagnosing Health Care Spending Growth January 20, 2006

Gregoire Presents Budget Plan — Legislature Must Protect Reserves December 29, 2005

Too Little Discipline March 31, 2005

Washington’s Infrastructure Needs: Governance and Decision-Making January 26, 2005

Washington’s Infrastructure Needs: Innovative Funding, Financing and Management Tools January 26, 2005

Washington’s Infrastructure Needs: Current Funding and Financing Tools December 22, 2004

Washington’s Infrastructure Needs: Plans, Funding and Gaps December 22, 2004

State Budget Intact, For Now July 8, 2003

Be Wary of Call for Exemption Review April 15, 2003

With Senate Budget, State “Lives within its Means” April 7, 2003

Revenue Forecast Reduced March 20, 2003

No Rush to Fund Collective Bargaining Agreement for Home Care Workers March 17, 2003

Medical Assistance Challenges Policymakers January 22, 2003

Governor’s Budget Sets Priorities, Lives Within Means December 20, 2002

The Medical Assistance Challenge December 13, 2002

Public Funding for Health and Human Services in King County September 18, 2002

Closing the Budget Gap is Now a Major Competitiveness Challenge September 17, 2002

2002 Budget Act: Supplemental but Not Sustainable April 25, 2002

A First Look at the Supplemental Budget March 20, 2002

An Insecure Plan for Tobacco Fund Securitization March 7, 2002

Senate Budget Plan Cuts Biennial Spending 1.4 Percent March 7, 2002

Caseload Increases Drive Up State Costs March 4, 2002

State Revenue Forecast Reduced Again February 19, 2002

$34.3 Million Bond Issue for Police Facilities Goes to Tacoma Voters February 5 January 28, 2002

The Governor’s Recession Budget December 19, 2001

State Revenue Forecast Reduced November 20, 2001

Initiative 775: Wrong Road to Quality Care October 25, 2001

Initiative 773 — Fiscal Smoke and Mirrors October 22, 2001

Revenue Down September 19, 2001

At Last A Budget July 6, 2001

Ten-year, $17.2 Billion Transportation Plan Proposed by Governor May 4, 2001

With House Budget, Sustainability Challenges Lessen Only Slightly May 3, 2001

Tacoma Bonds x 4 April 27, 2001

House Drops $22.7 Billion “Reality” Budget, Sets Stage for Negotiations April 26, 2001

Projections Reveal Budget Challenges Ahead April 4, 2001

Senate Introduces $22.8 Billion 2001-2003 Budget Plan: Creative, Generous and Unsustainable March 29, 2001

Senate Passes Skinny Transportation Budget March 28, 2001

March Revenue Forecast Released March 20, 2001

Governor’s Transportation Budget Reflects Blue Ribbon Recommendations February 27, 2001

Governor’s Proposed Budget Pushes the Limit December 21, 2000

Lawmakers Face Toughest Budget Challenge Since 1993 December 14, 2000

What if all the initiatives pass? Major impact on state budget October 26, 2000

I-745: So Many Roadblocks, So Little Time October 13, 2000

Initiative 745: Paved with Good Intentions October 12, 2000

Final Legislative Budget Good Enough June 20, 2000

Senate Passes Third Budget; Still No Charm March 30, 2000

Bipartisan Budget Clears House March 23, 2000

Senate Produces Supplemental Budget March 6, 2000

Legislature Should be Cautious in Reducing Reserves March 3, 2000

House Republicans and Democrats Offer Competing Transportation Plans March 1, 2000

House Democrats Present Budget: Spending Up, 601 Challenged February 25, 2000

House Republicans’ Supplemental Budget Provides Transportation Funding, Relief to Local Government February 22, 2000

Bill Roundup February 17, 2000

Revenue Forecast Up $116 Million for this Biennium and $198 Million for 2001-2003 February 17, 2000

Fiscal Proposals Threaten Spending Limit February 10, 2000

Spending Up in Governor’s 1999-2001 Supplemental Budget — Is I-601 Down? December 23, 1999

City and County Impacts Vary Widely October 1, 1999

Let’s Vote on It October 1, 1999

Summing It Up: Upon Reflection, I-695 Still a Bad Idea October 1, 1999

Transportation and Transit Lose Plenty October 1, 1999

Surplus Won’t Cover Shortfall September 30, 1999

MVET Off, Property Tax On, and Other Tax Consequences September 30, 1999

Not Much Discretion in the $45 Billion Budget September 30, 1999

Wrap-Up of the 1999-2001 Budget July 23, 1999

Lowry and Huff Examine the Effects of I-601 June 4, 1999

Unfinished Business May 13, 1999

Economic Development/Senate Budget April 23, 1999

Senate Offers Biennial Budget April 23, 1999

Generous Pay Raises for Teachers April 9, 1999

$240 Million Separates House Democratic and Republican Budget Plans April 2, 1999

Supplemental Budget Duels March 31, 1999

House Supplemental Budget March 17, 1999

1999 Supplemental Budget General Fund State: Senate Version February 15, 1999

Governor asks for $73 million in supplemental spending January 22, 1999

Governor’s Proposed Budget Boosts Education Spending January 22, 1999

How Washington Compares 1999

Key Budget Actions: The Supplemental Budget June 17, 1998

Revenue Forecast for Next Biennium: Up 7.5% February 27, 1998

Debt Service January 30, 1998

General Fund Overview January 30, 1998

Key Budget Actions; Revenues and Expenditures August 8, 1997

1997-1999 General Fund State Budget Summary April 9, 1997

Taxing Power: Electric Utility Taxes in a Competitive Environment February 11, 1997

The Citizens’ Guide to School Districts 1997

Too Much Earmarking, Dedicating Funds July 31, 1996

Looking Ahead to the Next Biennium June 21, 1996

What Works for Welfare? Recent Experiences in Washington and Oregon March 5, 1996

Supplemental Budget will contain Minimal New Spending March 1, 1996

Key issues separate budget committee members April 19, 1995

House increases spending $1 billion, $665 million below Governor’s plan March 30, 1995

Washington State Fiscal Trends 1983-85 — 1993-95 March 1995

Confronting employee compensation February 24, 1995

Spending up $1.5 billion in governor’s $18 billion budget plan January 30, 1995

The Citizens’ Guide to School Districts 1995

Takin’ It to the Limit: An Assessment of Initiatives 601 and 602, Second Edition October 4, 1993

Takin’ It to the Limit: A Preliminary Assessment of the Impacts of Initiatives 601 and 602 June 9, 1993

State general fund budget balanced, barely September 3, 1991

Public employee health benefit costs rising fast May 10, 1991

Adding up state employee pay hikes May 10, 1991

Uncovering the budget: A revealing look at state fiscal practices February 19, 1991

Legislature approves local government aid package; sends property tax measure to voters July 18, 1990

Supplemental budget sets stage for 1991-93 May 1990

State operating deficit continues March 1, 1990

Spending proposal continues operating deficit January 22, 1990

Children’s Programs in Washington State September 1989

Paying for Long-Term Care December 1988

How Washington Compares: State and Local Revenue and Expenditures — FY76 to FY86 July 1988

Most Businesses Require Employee Contributions for Health Care Premiums, Consultant Tells State March 4, 1988

House Supplemental Budget Would Add $130 Million to Already Approved $10.2 Billion Budget for 1987-89 March 4, 1988