Washington’s budget increased cumulatively more than the maximum rate of population growth plus inflation in state funds and all funds from 2016-25, meaning taxes are higher than the average taxpayer can afford. 

  • The 2025 state funds budget is $19.3 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 $81.0 billion too much.
  • The 2025 all funds budget is $23.5 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 $110.4 billion too much.

State Funds Budget Data

  • Estimated FY 2026 Only State Funds Budget ($ Billions): $ 63.34
  • FY 2027 Only State Funds Budget Limit ($ Billions): $ 65.80
  • FY 2027 Only State Funds Budget Limit Growth (%): 3.89%
  • Cost per person of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 11,803
  • Cost per family of 4 of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 2,413
  • Cumulative cost per person of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 10,127
  • Cumulative cost per family of 4 of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 40,507

All Funds Budget Data

  • Estimated FY 2026 All Funds Budget ($ Billions): $ 84.72
  • FY 2027 All Funds Budget Limit ($ Billions): $ 88.01
  • FY 2027 All Funds Budget Limit Growth (%): 3.9%
  • Cost per person of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 16,452
  • Cost per family of 4 of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 2,932
  • Cumulative cost per person of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 13,800
  • Cumulative cost per family of 4 of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 55,201

Other Economic and Fiscal Considerations