Budget writers in Olympia hopeful with improved revenue forecast
Jun 18, 2013, 2:47 PM | Updated: 3:25 pm
Tax revenues are growing and state lawmakers are hopeful that the good economic update Tuesday will help avoid a partial government shutdown at the end of the month.
Republican and Democratic lawmakers are locked in a showdown over the 2013-2015 budget and how to close a $1 billion shortfall while increasing education funding by $1 billion.
The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council is projecting an increase in revenue of $231 million through the next two years.
“Washington’s economy continues to improve, but at a slow pace,” said Steve Lerch, the council’s executive director.
Legislative budget writers were anticipating the new revenue forecast.
“The differences we may have had in how much money to spend were essentially solved Tuesday and put us in a very good position to finish well ahead of the June 30 deadline,” said State Senator Mark Schoesler, R-9th District.
Democrat Jim Hargrove says the revenue report is good news and should speed agreement on a new two-year budget.
