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Jmercier

Medicaid expansion/block grants discussed at WPC health care conference

July 11, 2012 in Blog

Though somewhat lost in the background of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of the federal health care law, the Court's decision to give states discretion on whether to pursue the law's expansion of Medicaid could have the biggest impact on state budgets going forward.

The Supreme Court ruled:

Quotes from today's 5-4 Supreme Court ruling on the federal health care law

June 28, 2012 in Blog

Don't have time to read the full 193 pages from today's 5-4 Supreme Court decision? Here are some pull quotes from the opinions:

Chief Justice Robert's majority opinion

Caseload forecast gives budget slightly more wiggle room

June 27, 2012 in Blog

Lawmakers received some good news today with the state's caseload forecast adding approximately $56 million to the minuscule budget ending fund balance. Had the caseload forecast instead gone the other way and resulted in an increase of $56 million in costs, the balance sheet for only the general fund would have been a negative $33 million.

Judge: 'You're telling me a court in this state has no right to look into whether the Legislature followed the law?'

June 26, 2012 in Blog

If the fact a Judge had to ask this question is troubling to you, the response by the state won't make you feel any better. As reported by the Tri-City Herald on yesterday's roll-your-own cigarette tax hearing (emphasis added):

Are laws binding on the Legislature?

June 25, 2012 in Blog

Based on a state brief in the roll-your-own cigarette "tax" lawsuit being heard today at 2 p.m. in Franklin County,  lawmakers may be able to ignore a law without first repealing it by passing a new law.

OFM considering sole-source contract for federal health care law communications strategy

June 22, 2012 in Blog

Next week the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide the fate of the controversial federal health care law. With the Court's ruling less than a week a way it was interesting to see the following sole-source contract notice posted yesterday by the Office of Financial Management (OFM):

Here are the details of the sole-source notice:

State Auditor and Secretary of State candidates unhappy with state budget office

June 21, 2012 in Blog

State Auditor candidate Rep. Mark Miloscia (D) and Secretary of State candidate Sen. Jim Kastama (D) are unhappy with the decision by the Office of Financial Management (OFM) to advise agencies to not comply with a state requirement to undergo a quality management assessment. Rep. Miloscia and Sen. Kastama have asked the Attorney General's Office to review OFM's action and provide an official opinion on the legality of the decision.

Budget remains on life support through at least September

June 20, 2012 in Blog

The economic outlook from today's state revenue forecast was virtually unchanged from the expectations in February providing taxpayers with good and bad news about the health of the state's budget.

One way or another, Supreme Court will eventually rule on 2/3 for taxes

June 15, 2012 in Blog

While everyone is focused on the House Democrats' lawsuit challenging the 18 year-old voter-approved supermajority requirement for tax increases, a new lawsuit filed today could be the one that actually forces the Supreme Court to finally rule on this issue.

OFM sends agencies instructions for 2013-15 budget

June 13, 2012 in Blog

Last week the Office of Financial Management (OFM) sent state agencies instructions for building Governor Gregoire's last budget proposal (assuming no special sessions or across-the-board budget cuts beforehand) due this December for the 2013-15 budget. OFM Director Marty Brown warned agencies:

Editorial coverage of 2/3 for taxes ruling

June 11, 2012 in Blog

Responding to the recent King County Superior Court ruling calling into question the 18 year-old voter-approved supermajority requirement for tax increases, Initiative 1185 sponsor Tim Eyman writes in this op-ed (in-part):

Legislative use of emergency clause drops in 2012; constitutional protections still needed

June 5, 2012 in Blog

To provide a check on the legislature, the state constitution grants the people the power to veto unwanted legislation through the use of a referendum. According to the Secretary of State, “The referendum allows citizens, through the petition process, to refer acts of the legislature to the ballot before they become law.” This power applies to any bill adopted by the legislature except those that include an “emergency clause.”

State liquor monopoly ends

June 1, 2012 in Blog

It may have taken nearly 80 years, 1,128,904 voters (59%) and 5 State Supreme Court Justices but Washington's prohibition-era government monopoly on the sale of liquor has finally ended. 

Supreme Court will have another shot at the four-time voter-approved 2/3 requirement for tax increases

May 30, 2012 in Blog

In a decision that guarantees the state's 18 year old voter-approved 2/3 vote requirement for tax increases will remain at the forefront of the public debate, King County Superior Court Judge Bruce Heller ruled today the tax protection requirement is unconstitutional. This means the state Supreme Court one way or another will finally be forced to rule on the issue instead of punting as it has done in the past (most recently in 2007 and 2009).