Unless state lawmakers know something we don’t about an economic revival on the verge of sweeping Europe, today’s quick exit from Olympia without actually balancing the state’s budget sets the stage for the legislative budget can-kicking to continue deep into 2012. Consider the following from Publicola: “Not only did the legislature fail to pass a budget during the special session

It’s true that it takes time to make thoughtful decisions on reducing a $32 billion state budget. It’s also true that lawmakers have known since this summer that the Governor would be calling a special session to balance the budget. Yet despite knowing what is required, the sense of urgency on display in Olympia right now is wanting, to say

Olympia can breathe a sigh of relief, our friends at the Washington Federation of State Employees have this $2 billion budget deficit thing all figured out. A friend forwarded an email where they outlined a plan that they and a few other groups had come up with. In order to stand with the 99% and stick it to that evil,

[Update: Comments from WSRP Chairman Kirby Wilbur added at bottom.] On Thursday’s announcement by Gov. Christine Gregoire of a late November special legislative session to resolve the state’s $1.5 billion budget woes, Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature traded opening statements in the press, and the candidates for governor added their own comments. Congressman and Democratic candidate for governor Jay

On the news that Gov. Christine Gregoire is finally calling the State Legislature back into session to tackle budget woes in the form of a $1.5 billion deficit, Republican candidate for governor Rob McKenna issued a statement, praising the incumbent Governor for taking action and suggesting that a quick and bipartisan process is what Washington needs: “No one can be

After news of the revenue forecast’s $1.4 billion drop in revenue for the 2011-13 budget and the now $1.3 billion budget hole confronting the state—assuming use of every last red cent of reserves—Gov. Christine Gregoire promptly issued a press release where she stated that waiting until the regular legislative session in January to address the problem is not an option:

The Chair and ranking member of the State Senate Ways and Means Committee were interviewed by TVW’s Austin Jenkins last Thursday on what the options are for lawmakers to address the estimated $1 billion plus budget deficit. Among the questions Jenkins asked Sen. Ed Murray (D) and Sen. Joe Zarelli (R) were their thoughts on our proposal to provide the

There is universal expectation that after next Thursday’s state revenue forecast lawmakers will need to make substantial reductions to the 2011-13 budget adopted earlier this year. The Speaker of the House and the Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee have already stated their desire to consider tax increases next year. According to Publicola: “On KUOW’s ‘The Conversation’ yesterday,