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Washington’s revenue forecaster said today that state government can expect to receive $95.7 million more than predicted in the November forecast. But state budget director Marty Brown said the real net gain is $45 million, because legislation adopted in December drove more than half of the gain…

Washington's budget shortfall is down to $500 million as the economy shows signs of stabilizing and people rely less on state services, according to new numbers released Thursday.
The state's Economic and Revenue Forecast Council released its revised outlooks as lawmakers…

Republicans and Democrats merged closer on tax policy Wednesday as they began to formulate solutions on the state's budget shortfall.
House Republican Leader Richard Debolt said for the first time that they are willing to support a repeal of a tax break for banks, something GOP…

he state House voted 97-to-1 today to endorse a six-year budgeting approach championed by Republican Rep. Gary Alexander and strongly advocated by such “Road Kill Caucus” members as Democratic Rep. Deb Eddy.

House Bill 2607 now goes to the Senate where a constitutional amendment…

A higher education efficiency bill unanimously passed by the state House on Tuesday could save each higher education institution hundreds of thousands of dollars, but overall funding concerns remain.
House Bill 2585 modifies the multiple state regulations, such as purchasing procedures and…

While state lawmakers struggle to close a $1.5 billion budget shortfall, they're also considering a constitutional amendment that would help prevent such gaps in the future.

The state Senate has approved a proposed amendment that would require the Legislature…

Last week’s caseloads report brought more than $200 million in good news for state budget writers. Today’s monthly revenue collections report from the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council brought another $54 million not counted on before.

A recent study by the University of Pennsylvania criticizing Washington’s higher education system identifies some real problems but lands wide of the mark in offering solutions. The report leaves the impression that Washington’s higher education system is fundamentally broken. We do not believe…

Fewer people than expected are using state services, a state panel says, providing a boost for lawmakers struggling to fill a roughly $1.5 billion shortfall.

Bottom line: The state budget is likely to see more than a $200 million windfall once all the numbers are…

HUNDREDS of Washington companies engaged in research and development in technology-related fields pay a reduced business-and-occupation tax. This break was designed to create a healthy R&D climate in our state and spur companies to maturity.

The side…