WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Latest revenue forecast is a shot of good news, yes — but there’s a reality chaser

“Today’s relatively good news from the state Economic & Revenue Forecast Council has to be tempered with a sobering reality: We have a lot of work to do on two fronts, both near-term and long-term.

“First, of course, we face the immediate responsibility to find agreement on an operating budget for the 2013-2015 biennium. It’s heartening to see a revenue-uptick of more than $231 million predicted above the March forecast for the upcoming pair of state-budget cycles.

“Second, the obligation very much persists on our agenda to establish a commonsense reform in the tax system. This is a restructuring we desperately need if we expect to dependably finance essential state programs and services.”