Washington’s budget increased cumulatively more than the maximum rate of population growth plus inflation in state funds and all funds from 2015-24, meaning taxes are higher than the average taxpayer can afford. 

  • The 2024 state funds budget is $10.1 billion higher than it would have had spending grown at the rate of population growth plus inflation over the past decade.
  • Because the state funds budget grew faster than population growth plus inflation for the last ten years, the state spent and taxed $63.9 billion too much.
  • The 2024 all funds budget is $11.8 billion higher than it would have been had spending grown at the rate of population growth plus inflation over the past decade.
  • Because the all funds budget grew faster than population growth plus inflation over the past decade, the state spent and taxed $86.9 billion too much.

State's State Funds Budget Data

  • Estimated FY 2025 Only State Funds Budget ($ Billions): $50.65
  • FY 2026 Only State Funds Budget Limit ($ Billions): $53.52
  • FY 2026 Only State Funds Budget Limit Growth ($ Billions): 5.66%
  • Cost per person of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2024 budget: $1,274
  • Cost per family of 4 of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2024 budget: $5,095
  • Cumulative cost per person of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2015-24: $8,042
  • Cumulative cost per family of 4 of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2015-24: $32,167

State's All Funds Budget Data

  • Estimated FY 2025 All Funds Budget ($ Billions): $68.49
  • FY 2026 All Funds Budget Limit ($ Billions): $72.37
  • FY 2026 All Funds Budget Limit Growth ($ Billions): 5.66%
  • Cost per person of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2024 budget: $1,479
  • Cost per family of 4 of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2024 budget: $5,915
  • Cumulative cost per person of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2015-24: $10,929
  • Cumulative cost per family of 4 of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2015-24: $43,716

Other Economic and Fiscal Considerations