The Washington State Caseload Forecast Council reported earlier this week that caseloads are down in the State – good news! Although very small savings were achieved, Washington will see a $56 million increase in the general fund. Savings are typically achieved when the number of kids in public schools, the number of inmates in prisons, the number of families receiving temporary assistance or medical assistance and/or the number children in foster care, etc.  are lower than expected.

Announced before the health care decision was released by the Supreme Court this week, some forecasters were very uncertain whether these savings would ever be realized. With an affirmation by the Supreme Court, it looks like they are safe for now.

For a full report see the following link: http://www.cfc.wa.gov/Web/20120627_DraftOverviewandNarratives.pdf