| TITLE |
AUTHOR |
DATE |
SUMMARY |
 Balancing the Operating Budget |
WRC
|
5/14/2012
|
Legislation enacted at the end of the first special session requires the legislature to enact a four-year balanced operating budget beginning in 2013–15. It also requires that regular budget outlooks be prepared.
|
| A Small Step for Public Pension Reform |
WRC
|
5/11/2012
|
At the end of the first special session, the legislature enacted some reforms to public employee pensions. 2ESB 6378 reduces subsidized early retirement benefits for new employees and lowers the assumed rate of return of pension investments.
|
| Changes to Public School Employee Health Insurance Coverage |
WRC
|
5/4/2012
|
During the second special session, the legislature adopted changes to public school employee health benefits coverage. The enacted legislation emphasizes data gath-ering and does not consolidate benefits purchasing.
|
| Repealing I-728, Grading Teachers, and Other 2012 Education Reforms |
WRC
|
4/26/2012
|
A key education reform—repeal of Initiative 728—was passed as part of the final budget compromise, and other reforms, including strengthened evaluations for teachers and principals, were passed during the regular session.
|
| Legislature Closes the 2011-13 Budget Gap, At Last |
WRC
|
4/20/2012
|
As passed by the legislature, the second 2012 supplemental budget reduces policy spending by $295 million, increases revenues by $178 million, makes other resource changes totaling $263 million, and leaves $319 million in reserve.
|
| Comparing House and Senate Supplemental Budgets |
WRC
|
3/8/2012
|
|
| House Ways & Means Chair's Proposed 2012 Supplemental |
WRC
|
2/24/2012
|
|
| Nation's Seventh-Best Business Climate? |
WRC
|
2/3/2012
|
|
| The First 2012 Supplemental Budget |
WRC
|
2/1/2012
|
|
| Machinery & Equipment Exemption Key to Keeping Jobs in Washington |
WRC
|
1/30/2012
|
|
| The Drag of Unfunded Commitments |
WRC
|
1/24/2012
|
|
