Average Washington State Pension Benefits

According to the State Actuary’s 2011 valuation report of Washington’s pension system, the average annual state pension for all plans is $21,493 (weighted by headcount). Here is a summary of the average annual pensions for the state’s major plans . . . READ MORE

Budget outlook released for 2013-15

When the Legislature adopted the state's first balanced budget requirement last session (SB 6636) it also required a standardized 4 year budget outlook to be published. Today's revenue forecast saw the release of the first official 4 year budget outlook required under SB 6636 . . . READ MORE

58 lawmakers support letting voters decide supermajority tax issue

If the election results hold (still 178,863 ballots left to count) there will be at least 58 lawmakers in Olympia next January that answered yes to this question: "If Initiative 1185 is adopted, would you vote to allow the people of Washington to have the opportunity to vote on a state constitution amendment to require a supermajority vote in the legislature to raise taxes?" READ MORE

Olympia: Can you hear taxpayers now?

Not only did voters for the fifth time in the past twenty years approve a supermajority for taxes requirement but they also are recommending that lawmakers repeal the two tax increases they adopted last session. Just in case a translation for these votes is really needed, lawmakers should focus their attention on balancing the 2013-15 without tax increases . . . READ MORE

Newspapers call for election reform

As Americans head to the polls today, Washingtonians who haven't voted yet should drop their ballot off at designated drop sites. Although our ballots only need to be postmarked by today's deadline, election officials advise instead to drop off your ballots versus take the chance on the mail today to ensure they are eligible for counting. Our neighbors in Oregon also are voting exclusively by mail. Unlike Washington, however, Oregon's ballots need to be received by 8 p.m. tonight versus postmarked . . . READ MORE

Sam Reed forecasts what to expect on Election Night

Retiring Secretary of State Sam Reed was a guest on TVW's Inside Olympia last night discussing what to expect on Election Night next week. According to Reed . . . READ MORE