Press Room

Media contact:

Kery Murakami, Communications Manager
Phone: 206-262-0973, ext. 226
Email: kerym (at) budgetandpolicy.org

Current issues:

Ballot measures:

2010 Initiatives: Voters Will Face Tough Choices In November: Today, signatures for a number of initiatives with significant fiscal impacts will be submitted to the Secretary of State's office for review. These initiatives come at a crucial time in our state’s history.

I-1107 Would Harm Public Priorities: Initiative 1107 would significantly reduce state resources in the current fiscal year and in coming years.

I-1053 Would Handcuff State's Response to Recession:+ If approved, I-1053 would greatly hamper our state’s ability to take a thoughtful and balanced approach to the Great Recession’s on-going impact on the state budget.

 

State budget:

New Revenue Forecast Raises Stakes in DC and Here:

Based on the new forecast from the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council, a weaker-than-expected economy has reduced the state’s general fund ending balance by over $200 million, leaving a reserve of only $253 million.

Washington Joins 30 Other States in Taxing Candy: To help mitigate the recession’s impact on the state budget, policymakers in Washington State recently extended the sales tax to candy and gum. As shown in the graph below, a solid majority of states, 31, currently levy sales taxes on candy.

Majority of recent tax increases are temporary: A majority of the tax increases passed in 2009 and 2010 are temporary—scheduled to expire at the end of fiscal year 2013. These temporary measures will help to preserve essential services like health care and education throughout the downturn and recovery.

See more state budget analysis

BPC in the News:

The Columbian:
States’ revenue lifeboats are leaking: Hair-on-fire ranting usually draws the most attention. Such a tactic is much easier than any in-depth analyses. And, best of all, it’s much easier for the media to cover. Nevertheless, while we’re all sharpening our pitchforks and larding up our torches in preparation for our march on Olympia to storm the Capitol for raising our taxes, several calmer minds have taken a more academic approach. (June 27, 2010)

The Seattle Times:

Op-Ed: Congress should approve additional Medicaid money for states: The debate in Washington, D.C., over providing additional emergency financial assistance to states is about more than money. It's really about values. (June 18, 2010)

The News Tribune:

Op-Ed: Congress must restore health care, insurance provisions of jobless bill: The U.S. House has already voted to extend the emergency unemployment that thousands are relying on to get by, when there simply aren’t enough jobs for them. The Senate should follow suit, but it’s also critical that Congress extend two provisions that were stripped from the bill, H.R. 4213, in last-minute negotiations just before Memorial Day. (June 12, 2010)

Crosscut:

Op-Ed: With state taxes, a little addition means a lot of relief: Depending on what ballot measures are before voters in November, the state may have a lot more chance to talk about the revenue increases approved by the legislature and governor. But, for now, it's important to understand that Washington acted in a balanced way, like most other states, and protected the state's core values. (May 27, 2010)

Bellngham Herald:

Op-Ed: Legislators did right thing by balancing cuts, taxes: During this year's legislative session, lawmakers took a balanced approach in managing the effect of the economic crisis on our state... But revenue wasn't raised for the sake of raising revenue. It was raised because the only other alternative was unthinkable cuts to core services that would have undermined the state's long-term economic competitiveness.
(May 1, 2010)

Publicola:

A video interview of Executive Director Remy Trupin was posted on the political website, Publicola. IN the wide-ranging interview, Trupin reacts to the budget passed by the Legislature in the 2010 session and shortcomings with the state's tax system.(April 15, 2010)

KUOW:

"Conversation:" Executive Director Remy Trupin was on the show reacting to the Senate's budget proposal. (April 12, 2010)

Olympia Newswire: Liberal Revenue Agents: 115 Groups Unite to Promote New Taxes. (February 4, 2010)

Seattle Times: Washington needs more revenue: Add a penny to the state sales tax.  (January 8, 2010)

KING5 Up Front: Legislative Preview (January 8, 2010)

The Olympian:

Lawmakers look for revenue options (January 3, 2010)

Multimedia:

New Slideshow on State Economic and Fiscal Outlook: Watch the 12-minute slideshow (audio included) below to get a better understanding of the state economic and fiscal outlook, including ideas for a balanced solution to the budget shortfall.