Future 42 asks if taxes keep going up, then why are budget shortfalls getting worse?
Governor Bob Ferguson recently warned state agencies to prepare for difficult budget decisions in the years ahead. In guidance sent to agency leaders, the administration pointed to familiar pressures: inflation has driven up costs, Washington’s population has grown significantly over the past decade, and maintaining public services is becoming more expensive. Those factors are real. Anyone who […]
OFM sounds alarm on 2027-29 budget shortfalls, Ferguson says no new taxes, and how we got here
OLYMPIA — The Office of Financial Management has warned state agencies that Washington faces “significant budget shortfalls” in the 2027-29 biennium, calling it likely the most “most challenging budget any of us has yet faced” and directing a sharp break from routine spending practices. “A ‘business as usual’ approach will not meet the need of […]
Refusing to take fraud concerns seriously will add to public’s distrust
Allegations of fraud involving childcare funding and other government-subsidized programs elsewhere have people here concerned that something similar could be happening in Washington. I know this because of the calls and emails that have come in since federal Republicans began investigating the suspected theft, through fraud, of billions in taxpayer dollars intended to subsidize a […]
Tax-first Democrats desperate to blame feds for state’s budget trouble
One of the most enduring lines in conservative politics came from President Reagan’s campaign debates — the “there you go again” reply that so effectively called out his Democrat opponents when they made misleading or hypocritical claims. That came to mind when I read Gov. Bob Ferguson’s Sept. 23 statement about the state’s third quarterly […]
City of Lynnwood seeking community input on its biennial budget
LYNNWOOD—The City of Lynnwood is asking residents to take the 2025-2026 Budget Community Input Survey, and attend a Budget Open House, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Every two years, the City of Lynnwood adopts a biennial budget. The upcoming budget will assign funds to programs, services, and infrastructure throughout 2025 and […]
83.5% of survey respondents in Lynnwood prioritize the need for a social worker to diversity coordinator
By Noel Pai-Young and Mario Lotmore | Lynnwood Times Staff At the December 14, 2020 Lynnwood City Council meeting, Mayor Nicola Smith opened up with a statement reminding community members of the importance to defeat COVID-19. “It can be easy to let our guard down, but we can’t give up yet. Right now COVID-19 cases […]
Somers submits 2021 proposed county budget
By Erin Freeman | Lynnwood Times Staff Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers has submitted the proposed budget for the upcoming 2021 year. Experiencing an economic downturn induced by the coronavirus pandemic, Somers says that the county is committed to cutting costs and reducing expenditures to meet revenue projections. Proposed measures include General Fund budget reductions, […]
Snohomish County budget cuts to include sheriff’s department
By: Erin Freeman | Lynnwood Times Staff Wednesday, June 10, the Snohomish County Council unanimously passed ordinance 20-037, a budget revision intended to address the financial impacts of COVID-19, approving county action to balance out the forecasted $27 million in General Fund revenue shortfalls. All county General Fund departments will undergo a 3.5% budget cut, […]
Council to attempt an override of Mayor’s veto
By Mario Lotmore | Lynnwood Times Staff On June 6, it was brought to the attention of the Lynnwood Times that Councilman George Hurst will bring a motion for a vote to override Mayor Nicola Smith’s veto of Ordinance 3358 that the City Council approved on May 26 by a 4-3 vote to end the […]
City eying early separation as budget shortfalls projected
By Erin Freeman | Lynnwood Times Staff City Council considers voluntary early separation and budget policy changes to fill $1.8 million revenue gap The city of Lynnwood held a virtual special finance meeting on May 14 to discuss city incentives and budget policy changes to confront the $5 million general fund shortfall imposed by COVID-19. […]
