If the state budget outlook were a car dashboard, that red warning light would be blinking like crazy. But in Olympia, it sure doesn’t seem like anyone’s looking.

Washington’s chief economist delivered some rough news on Tuesday: Tax collections for the current two-year budget are now expected to come in $412 million short. Over the next four years, we’re expected to be over $900 million short .

Here’s the thing, revenues are still growing by nearly 11%. We’re taking in more tax money than ever, so why are we in the hole? It’s because we’re spending even faster.

Since 2013, state spending has more than doubled, from $33.6 billion back then to $78 billion today . That’s not inflation. It’s not population growth. Caseloads for services aren’t surging either; they’ve been flat or even

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