Washington State has been flexing its financial muscles like it's in a Spending Olympics. The problem is, winning the gold medal means landing in the most financial trouble. Since 2015, government spending has shot up faster than a squirrel on espresso, and now people are wondering if anyone remembers what common sense looks like. (Hint: no.)
Here are Five Fast Facts on the massive government spending problem in Washington State:
- 🤯 That's A Helluva Jump - Government spending in Washington State has jumped 116% since 2015, from $80 billion to over $173 billion. But who’s counting (besides taxpayers)? No one, clearly.
- 🚫 Don't Buy It - Inflation is up about 36% in that same timeframe. So for those suggesting spending is only increasing due to inflation...um, no.
- 🐷 Rev It Up - Revenue grew too (by $8 billion), but only because of massive tax increases this year. Take those out of the picture and you actually see declines in tax revenue, meaning people and jobs are leaving the state, and the new tax hikes are just putting lipstick on a pig.
- ⚕️ Medicaid Crisis - Some are calling it the worst budget crisis in the state's history. One contributing factor is Medicaid, which has increased fivefold since 2013 and now includes $150 million just for illegal aliens. Show of hands for people interested in continuing that...?
- 🙈 Nothing To See Here - Critics are calling for more transparency and responsibility, while most lawmakers are like, “Look! Record revenue!” and then moonwalk away in the other direction. Never mind the still-looming multi-billion dollar budget shortage, either.
🔥Bottom line: Washington's budget is living its best life thanks to a majority of its legislators, but the numbers are getting hard to ignore. If money talks, this budget is screaming in panic, and taxpayers are stuck footing the bill for every penny of it.
Do you think Olympia is being responsible with your taxpayer dollars?
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