Special session is only option to secure budget reserve

Last week Governor Gregoire reiterated that if Congress doesn't provide the state with additional Medicaid funds (FMAP) by its August 9 recess she would be forced to call a special session or issue across-the-board cuts. This is because Washington assumed an additional $480 million in FMAP funds to help balance the budget this year. This is more than the $253 million ending fund balance meaning if the funds aren't approved the state's ending fund balance would be negative by more than $200 million . . . READ MORE