June 18, 2009TO: Statewide Elected OfficialsAgency Directors Presidents of Higher Education Institutions State Boards and CommissionsFROM: Christine O. Gregoire, GovernorSUBJECT: Additional Budget SavingsOn June 18th, the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council announced an additional reduction to the General Fund State revenue forecast. Although…
I had this story in the morning paper:OLYMPIA – State tax officials recently gave several Spokane-area churches an ultimatum: Stop running farmers markets in your parking lots or start paying tax on that land. “We have no choice here. The law is really clear,” said…
There was also some good news, however, in state revenue forecaster Arun Raha's predictions Thursday."It increasingly appears that we are finally approaching the end of this `Great Recession,'" he said. The bottom of the recession seems near, he said, and the "freefall" declines in economic…
Gov. Chris Gregoire is ordering state agencies to cut their payrolls by 2 percent more, after the state's revenue forecaster this morning whacked revenue projections by nearly $500 million. "We have been aware of the likelihood of a negative forecast and are prepared to take…
Gov. Chris Gregoire is ordering cabinet-level state agencies to cut their employee costs by 2 percent more than budgeted."Agencies can hire employees where needed to accomplish their core business and enact the reforms I am asking for, but they cannot exceed the cap I am…
"Initial claims for unemployment insurance appear to have peaked and monthly job losses are diminishing."That's the word from economist Arun Raha, the state's revenue forecaster.The trough of the recession, however, will be lower than he and the state's economic and revenue forecast council expected in…
Short takes and breaking news from the Washington Legislature and the state capital.
