State responds to WEA/House Democrats 2/3 tax lawsuit

Last month several House Democrats joined the Washington Education Association (WEA) and the League of Education Voters to file a lawsuit to overturn the four-time voter approved 2/3 vote requirement for tax increases. On Monday the state responded. From the state's brief (in-part) . . . READ MORE

September revenue forecast could be ugly

Earlier this week Governor Gregoire asked agency budget directors to prepare for budget cuts of up to 10 percent ($1.7 billion). Today the state's Economic and Revenue Forecast Council released the revenue totals for August underscoring the prudence of the Governor's actions. Based on the numbers, the September 15 revenue forecast could put the state budget in the red. From the Council's press release . . . READ MORE

Fiscal impact statements for initiatives published

The Office of Financial Management has published its fiscal impact statement for the three initiatives that have qualified for the 2011 election. Here are OFM's estimates (in-part) . . . READ MORE

OFM releases state employee salary details

The Office of Financial Management has released the 2011 Personnel Detail Report. According to OFM: "This edition of the Personnel Detail Report includes total calendar year earnings for employees on the state payroll at any time between Jan. 1 2010 and Dec. 31 2010. The report is compiled by the state Office of Financial Management (OFM) from information provided by the state's payroll systems. The information OFM receives from the payroll systems is entered and maintained at the individual agencies . . ." READ MORE

Governor asks agencies to prepare for budget reductions

Today the Office of Financial Management (OFM) sent agency budget directors a memo requesting that they prepare for budget reductions of up to $1.7 billion (10%) in a 2012 supplemental budget. From the OFM memo . . . READ MORE