WA Senate OKs 4-year budget forecast requirement

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington state Senate has passed a measure to require that the state’s two-year budget be in line with anticipated revenue over a four-year period.

Sen. Jim Kastama, a Puyallup Democrat, says Senate Bill 6636 would force lawmakers to be more responsible in their budgeting. The measure was approved Saturday on a 30-16 vote.

The revenue forecast would be conducted by the state’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

Kastama was one of three conservative Democrats to break ranks with his party in voting for the Senate Republican budget plan in the regular session last month.

He has insisted that the four-year balanced budget forecast be in place before a supplemental budget deal be reached.

The bill goes now to the House.