Monthly Archives: November 2014

November Economic and Revenue Forecast Released

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Last week the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council released the November revenue forecast.

The recent forecast shows an increase of $115 million in Near General Fund revenue for the current two-year budget.  Near General Fund collections are now projected to total $34.07 billion for the current biennium (2013-15).  In addition the forecast also projected a $275 million increase for the next biennium (2015-17); totaling $36.98 billion for 2015-17.

However the revenue forecast announced today, even with the increases, is insufficient to offset the costs of new caseload and enrollment projections announced earlier this year.

The Caseload Forecast Council projected Washington would have nearly 11,000 more K-12 students by the end of the next biennium. The council also projects the state will have 36,500 more Medicaid recipients than previously forecast as well as more children in foster care and more criminal offenders under community supervision.

Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposed 2015–17 budget will be released in December. The next revenue forecast will be released in March 2015.

WA House Republicans Elect Leadership

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The Washington House Republicans elected their 2015-17 legislative leadership this past week..

House Republicans elected:

  • Representative Dan Kristiansen, Republican Leader
  • Representative Joel Kretz, Deputy Leader
  • Representative Shelly Short, Caucus Chair
  • Representative J.T. Wilcox, Floor Leader
  • Representative Paul Harris, Whip
  • Representative Matt Shea, Assistant Floor Leader
  • Representative Matt Manweller, Assistant Floor Leader

Additional leadership positions are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

House Democrats Keep Current Leadership

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There will be little change this session in the leadership of the Washington House Democratic Caucus.

House Democrats elected their leadership team this week:

  • Representative Frank Chopp – House Speaker
  • Representative Pat Sullivan – Majority Leader
  • Representative Eric Pettigrew – Majority Caucus Chair
  • Representative Kevin Van De Wege – Majority Whip
  • Representative Kris Lytton – Majority Floor Leader

Lytton is the only change from the 2013 Legislature. She replaces former Representative Tami Green who vacated her seat in an unsuccessful bid for the District 28 Senate seat this year.