Gov. Jay Inslee speaks to members of the press on Jan. 4, ahead of the 2024 Washington state legislative session. (Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is warning of a budget deficit in excess of $10 billion and calling on state agencies to pare spending now to deal with it.
A Nov. 8 memo from Inslee’s budget director cited rising costs, increasing demand for public services and lower-than-expected tax collections for a projected operating budget shortfall between $10 billion and $12 billion over the next four years.
Cuts are needed to balance the spending plan Inslee will release next month for the 2025-27 biennium.
“The Governor’s operating budget will prioritize continuing essential programs and addressing caseload increases, while not expanding existing programs and services,” Pat Sullivan, director of the Office of Financial Management, wrote in the memo.
Transportation budget projections also have trended down for several forecasts creating a situation where revenues are not covering current commitments, Sullivan said.