New Washington budget boosts state spending by $2B

Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday signed the final operating budget of his tenure, approving an extra $2 billion during the second half of the state’s two-year budget cycle for education, mental health services, housing and more.

Before acting, Inslee reflected on his three terms as governor citing passage of key progressive priorities like the capital gains tax and the Climate Commitment Act, along with policies and funding to build more housing and increase access to financial aid for college-bound students.

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The $2 billion in new spending is on top of the $69.8 billion operating budget that passed the Legislature last year. The added money approved this session will be spent through June 2025 when the state’s budget resets.

About half of that money is for “maintenance level” costs for government activities already underway. The other half is for new policy investments.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/03/29/inslee-oks-2-billion-boost-in-state-spending/