Today we mourn the loss and celebrate the life of former Washington State Senator John McCoy (D – Tulalip). Senator McCoy was one of the longest-serving Native legislators in Washington state history and a true champion and advocate for Tribal Sovereignty, public education, environmental protections, and human rights. Senator McCoy served in the state House from 2003 to 2013 and then in the state Senate from 2013 until his resignation in April 2020. He was a fearless leader for Indian Country, here in Washington and across the nation. Our hearts go out to Senator McCoy’s family and loved ones.
Category: News
WA Supreme Court approves new state political boundaries
The Washington Supreme Court approved the congressional and legislative district maps created by the state’s bipartisan redistricting commission, declining to exercise its authority to draw new political boundaries.
Using the 2020 census data, the Washington State Redistricting Commission was charged with drawing and approving the state’s district maps by midnight Nov. 15. The commission published and unanimously agreed to new maps but narrowly missed the deadline to adopt them, which gave the court the jurisdiction to craft the new districting plan by April 30.
In a unanimous five-page ruling, the court found the commission “substantially complied with the statutory deadline” by voting to approve the redistricting plans by the Nov. 15 deadline, even though the plans were not transmitted to the state legislature on time. The order also directs the redistricting commission to complete any remaining work necessary to transmit the final report to the state legislature. Once the legislature receives the final report, it will have the opportunity to make small tweaks to the maps with two-thirds vote of both chambers.
The court ruling emphasizes the state’s redistricting process is best addressed by the bipartisan commission, who is appointed by the state legislature and considers public testimony. The court also stated “the primary purpose of achieving a timely redistricting plan would be impeded by rejecting the Commission’s completed work.”
However, the order only weighed the commission’s compliance with the midnight Nov. 15 deadline required by state law and not the entirety of the redistricting statute, which leaves the maps open to lawsuits. At least one lawsuit has been filed to date.
Regardless, the court’s decision provides clarity on the state’s new political boundaries, which will be in place for the next decade.
View the bipartisan redistricting commission’s final district maps here.
First 2021-23 economic and revenue forecast shows strong budget collections
The Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council projects 2021-23 state budget collections will increase by more than $927 in their newly published September quarterly report. The report is the first since the end of the 2019-21 biennium. The state’s General Fund revenue is now projected at $59.3 billion for the current two-year budget cycle, which began July 1.
Real estate excise taxes are the main driver of the improved revenue collections with residential real estate sales remaining strong and commercial sales seeing a significant increase. Retail sales tax collections were also stronger than forecasted in the June quarterly report.
Washington state employment stays steady with the unemployment rate unchanged at 5.1%. An increase of 2.4% in the state’s employment is expected this year, with average growth between 2022-25 projected at 2.2% per year.
The forecast also shows higher personal income and inflation in the state since the June report. The state’s inflation numbers match the national average, while personal income is expected to begin slowing next year due to decreasing federal stimulus dollars meant to help the economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Compared to this time last year, Washington state’s economy is in a much better position. The 2022 legislative session is approaching, beginning on January 10, with state legislators focused on making fixes to the 21-22 biennial budget. While the September outlook shows strong budget collections, the ongoing pandemic’s impacts on the economy and economic growth mean state revenues will remain fragile and uncertain.
For more information, view the Council’s September economic and revenue forecast documents here.
Governor requires COVID-19 vaccines for higher education employees
Governor Jay Inslee announced yesterday that all employees at higher education institutions, including the University of Washington, must be fully vaccinated from COVID-19 by Oct. 18 as a condition of employment. There will be limited exemptions for individuals with documented medical conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs. Test out options or philosophical exemptions are no longer allowed.
Today’s proclamation is consistent with the Governor’s Aug. 9 vaccination mandate for health care workers, including those at UW Medicine and the School of Dentistry.
The governor also announced a statewide mask requirement starting Aug. 23 for all individuals regardless of vaccination status in most indoor public spaces. The University already reinstated an indoor mask mandate for all individuals so this requirement does not change UW operations.
The University will determine how COVID-19 policies will be updated to reflect the new requirements in the coming days. The UW’s response to yesterday’s announcement can be found here.