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Welcome to EFF’s state budget page! Get all the latest budget news, analysis and happenings here. The development of this year’s budget is bound to be a fight, and EFF stands squarely in the taxpayer’s corner. We get dirty so you don’t have to.

 

LATEST HEADLINES

State budget sleight of hand continues
Bellingham Herald | June 1, 2009
The sputtering economy spawned a 2009 legislative session accompanied by more legislative wailing and gnashing of teeth than a cave full of rabid hyenas fighting over a last meal.

Who are the biggest spenders in Olympia?

What are the Priorities of Government?

Bob Williams: Notes on the 2009-2011 State Budget
Bob Williams, Senior Fellow for the Evergreen Freedom Foundation, has been speaking to groups around the state about the 2009-2011 state budget, focusing on the behind-the-scene games played by the legislature to balance the budget. 

Legislature Continues Faith-based Budget Saga
Policy Highlighter
Read the latest on Washington State's budget plan.

Temporary Sales Tax Increase Would Cost Thousands of Jobs
Policy Highligther
Read more about the bill that would put Washington State's sales tax at 6.8%.

EFF's letter to Governor Gregoire and Legislators
Re: Budget Deficit
In January of this year, I sent each of you a letter outlining our recommendations for solving the state’s budget shortfall. Unfortunately, it appears that little action has been taken (other than ESHB 1694) and the shortfall has grown.

The $9 Billion Deficit Myth
Policy Highlighter | March 20, 2009
Despite the most recent revenue forecast, the state is expected to bring in as much money for the next budget as it will for the current budget.

2007-09

$27.891

2009-11

$27.945

Percent Inc.

0.2%

Reject state bailouts 
By Bob Williams and Amber Gunn

Wednesday, February 4, 2009
President Obama and Congress propose spending billions to bail out the states, and they have the audacity to call it a "stimulus" package.
 
Click here to read the full op-ed

Latest legislative testimony
House Ways & Means
Testimony of Amber Gunn, On the proposed 2009 supplemental budget
1/13/2009

In my brief testimony, I would like to talk to you about how the legislature can cut the deficit for the next budget almost in half using the supplemental budget... read more

Listen to Amber Gunn talk with KVI's Kirby WIlbur on Budget Deficit

Budget transparency: Lawmakers need a 72-hour budget timeout

Unfortunately the budget process in Washington is rushed and leaves little time for legislators or the public to thoroughly review the document before a public hearing or vote is held... read more
EFF’s open letter to legislators regarding the budget deficit

We urge the legislature to receive this budget challenge as a profound opportunity to review state spending priorities and the actual performance outcomes from past investments.... read more

What's new


 Olympia’s biggest problem (Hint: It’s Not the Budget Deficit)
Opinion-Editorial | November 19, 2009

 Amber Gunn details problems with ailing state pension system
EFF in the News | Dori Monson Show | November 13, 2009

 Washington's ailing pension system
EFF in the News | King 5 | November 12, 2009

 New Resource in WA: Evergreen Freedom Foundation's School District Transparency Project
EFF in the News | Center For Fiscal Responsibility | October 22, 2009

 Legislators set sights on higher sin taxes
Commentary | October 02, 2009

 Living Liberty - September 2009
Living Liberty | October 01, 2009