State revenue projections higher than expected

By Rachel La Corte

The Associated Press

OLYMPIA — Lawmakers on Thursday received a revenue forecast that shows they have a little more money to work with as the Senate and House prepare to release their budgets.

The latest Office of Financial Management numbers that were released at a meeting of the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council show that the state’s revenue collections through the middle of 2019 are expected to increase by about $571 million — with $313 million more than originally forecast for the upcoming 2017-19 budget and $258 million more for the current two-year budget through the end of June.

The projected overall state budget for 2017-19 is expected to be $41.6 billion.

The Legislature is just past the halfway point of its scheduled 105-day regular session. Senate Republicans are set to release their budget proposal next week, while House Democrats are expected to release their plan the following week.

Any final budget will have to satisfy the state Supreme Court, which has held the state in contempt for a lack of progress on fully funding education.

The court has given the state until Sept. 1, 2018, to comply with its initial 2012 ruling on the issue, but it has ordered that a plan must be in place before the Legislature adjourns this year.

There are differing ideas between the politically divided chambers on how best to proceed, with Democrats seeking more revenue and Republicans saying new taxes are not needed.

Republican Sen. John Braun, a member of the council and the Senate’s main budget writer, said the latest revenue forecast gives lawmakers additional opportunities for additional investments, or possible tax reductions.

“Now we have a little bit more money, we’ll do our best to present a case that does good things for the state of Washington,” he said. “I remain confident that we do not need additional revenue.”

But Democratic state Rep. Timm Ormsby, a fellow member of the council and chairman of the House Appropriations committee, disagreed, citing the state’s obligations not only on education funding but in other areas such as mental health.

When asked what type of revenue could be involved, he wouldn’t give specifics, pointing instead to the yet-to-be-unveiled House budget, saying, “I think we have a lot of options.”

More in News

Voters approving all Peninsula school measures

Sequim bond passing with required supermajority

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Clallam County election workers Neva Miller, right, and Debbie Kracht, both of Sequim, open election ballots on Tuesday at the courthouse in Port Angeles.
Ballot sorting in Port Angeles

Clallam County election workers Neva Miller, right, and Debbie Kracht, both of… Continue reading

Jefferson County board to select interim sheriff

Chosen candidate will serve until next election

State funding challenges dominate legislative conversations

Multiple bills may have local relevance

PA’s Platypus Marine looks to expansion

Growth benefits local economy

Port of Port Angeles updates delegation of authority

Debt collections, Amazon site among other business

Matthew Nash / Olympic Peninsula News Group
Rick Godfrey stands with his Boy Scouts of America achievements on his office’s wall, including his merit badges and Troop 490 photos. In 1950, he was the youngest scout in the state to earn his Eagle Scout, the highest rank in scouting. The troop celebrated 100 years at a special dinner on Saturday at the Sequim Masonic Lodge.
Sequim troop celebrates centennial with dinner

Scout organization began in 1925 in a Sunday school class

Jefferson County board takes on transportation benefit district

Tax, license fee expected to bring in $1 million

Clallam County commissioners discuss reservoir design

Consensus reached on two-cell option

Firefighters respond to a house fire at West Sixth Street and Cherry Street on Friday in Port Angeles. (Port Angeles Fire Department)
Home destroyed in Port Angeles house fire

Residents escaped a house fire at West Sixth Street… Continue reading

Five workshops to repair broken items set this spring

JeffCo Repair will sponsor five workshops where fixers will… Continue reading

Kathy Cruz/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Mary Montgomery-Crumley dishes up helpings of salad at “Soup’s On.” Lunch also included a biscuit, two versions of minestrone soup, one vegetarian, one with chicken, and chocolate chip butterscotch bars.
‘Soup’s On’ free lunch at St. Luke’s draws varied crowd of helpers, diners

Melissa, a member of Sequim’s Friends Together, a group that… Continue reading