WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

State’s economy keeps getting stronger

Retails sales hit $26 billion during the first part of 2013, according to the state Department of Revenue. That represents an 8 percent rise from last year.

Here’s what the report tells us about our state’s economy:retail sales
•    Spending on hotels and restaurants increased 4.7 percent
•    Sales of cars — new or used — jumped 11.6 percent
•    Building materials and landscaping/garden supplies got a 14.2 percent boost
•    Construction jumped 16.9 percent

This means retails sales have almost recovered from the Great Recession. The Department of Revenue says that the last time taxable retail sales exceeded $26 billion was the first quarter of 2008.

 

Taxable retail sales

Percent change

King

$10.3 billion

7.6

Pierce

$2.8 billion

11.0

Snohomish

$2.5 billion

10.2

Spokane

$1.7 billion

6.6

Clark

$1.1 billion

7.8

The good news comes on the heels of other good news, including a state revenue forecast that’s looking sunnier and nationwide rankings that point to Washington state as a great place to do business.

For more information — by county, city or industry — read the Department of Revenue’s full report.