On November 8, OFM Director Pat Sullivan sent a letter to state agency directors and others, outlining that revenue forecasts, rising costs, and expanding needs require reductions for the governor to propose a balanced budget. This page includes answers to questions about those budget reductions.

Out monthly economic report for September 2024 shows steady nonfarm job growth, rising unemployment amid job growth, and a rebound in revenue collections in August. Read more in the full report:

OFM has just launched a series of dashboards designed to track and display the progress of specific state agencies in implementing the HEAL (Healthy Environment for All) Act, Washington's landmark environmental justice law: 

OLYMPIA – Washington’s projected Near General Fund revenue collections for the 2023–25 state budget decreased by $477 million to around $66.5 billion — about a 0.7% decrease from the February 2023 projection, according to estimates released today by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

The Climate Commitment Act (CCA) sets a declining cap on greenhouse gas emissions and requires the state’s largest emitters to purchase allowances for their planet-warming pollution. The law requires the Legislature to invest revenue from this cap-andinvest program to reduce emissions and create jobs, including in clean buildings, transportation, and improving community resiliency in the face of climate change.

We are happy to announce the first release of Small Area Demographic Estimates (SADE) based on 2020 census data. The estimates cover the years 2020 through 2023 and are normalized to census 2020 geographies for: the state, counties, census tracts, and school districts. Estimates for congressional districts based on the 2020 census redistricting commission’s boundaries and data for the recently revised 2024 state legislative districts are also provided.

An innovative team using service trucks to reach people around the state who can’t easily get to a DSHS office to access benefits.

A partnership between WorkSource Yakima and the Yakama Nation Veteran Affairs Center, working together to improve training and employment services for tribal members who are veterans.

A WSDOT worker that showed quick thinking to keep his team safe from a violent crime spree.

OLYMPIA – Washington’s projected Near General Fund revenue collections for the 2023–25 state budget increased by $122 million to around $67 billion — about a 0.2% increase from the November 2023 projection, according to estimates released today by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

Do you know a state employee who consistently excels beyond expectations?

In the spirit of recognizing such service, the Office of Financial Management is asking you to think about nominating state government and higher education employees and teams for one of the following awards.

The Extra Mile Award is given to individuals or groups of state employees who surpass expectations for exemplary public service by demonstrating the following ideals:

Governor Jay Inslee released his 2024 supplemental budget proposals, which serve as a mid-way update to the state’s two-year 2023–25 budgets. His release precedes the start of the 60-day legislative session on January 8.

Heading into the new year, Washington’s overall economic health remains strong. Pandemic response funding is winding down, but new state revenues have kept pace with higher costs from inflation and entitlement caseload increases.

The OFM State Human Resources Division recently completed a move to the 1500 Jefferson Building from their previous home in the Raad Building. They will be collocated on the 4th floor with Statewide Accounting, One Washington, and Information Technology Services Divisions. Having subject matter experts together will better prepare us for the statewide Workday transition, while allowing the agency to consolidate office space. 

The new address for the State Human Resources office is:

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), was signed into law by President Biden in November 2021, and was followed by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of August 2022.  As of August 2023, these bills have funded $3.60 billion in federal grants to Washington state agencies, including $3.59 billion from the IIJA/BIL and $9 million from the IRA.

The federal funds are used for projects within categories listed below:

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington’s total population grew by an estimated 86,750 — to 7,951,150 as of April 1, 2023, according to annual estimates that the Office of Financial Management prepared.

The unadjusted population growth rate over the last year was 1.1%, somewhat slower than the previous year, when the state’s population grew by 1.3%.

Washington’s population has grown by 244,840 people since the 2020 decennial census on April 1, 2020. The 86,750 increase is below the average annual increase from the last decade (98,200).  

OLYMPIA – Washington’s projected Near General Fund revenue collections for the 2023–25 state budget have increased by nearly $327 million, according to estimates released today by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

The 2023 Washington State Employee DEI Empowerment Conference kicks off on Wednesday, June 7, and you're invited. 

Please join us at the 2023 Washington State Employee’s DEI Empowerment Conference.

The first week of May is for recognizing the great work and service that public employees provide for Washingtonians. This year, in-person cross-agency events are back — join us in celebrating state employees at the Capitol Campus, in Spokane, in the Tri-Cities and at T-Mobile Park.

Do you know a state employee or manager who consistently excels beyond expectations? In the spirit of recognizing such service, OFM is asking you to nominate state government and higher education employees and teams for one of the awards below. Nominations close Sunday, Feb. 26, and awards will be announced on May 9 as part of Public Service Recognition Week.

View operating budget requests that state agencies and higher education institutions have submitted to us for consideration in Gov. Inslee's 2023-25 biennial budget proposal:

Agency Budget Requests

The website is best viewed in either Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browser.

For help in using the online system, check out this guide:

OLYMPIA – Washington’s projected Near General Fund revenue collections for the 2021–23 state budget have increased by a net of nearly $1.46 billion, according to estimates released today by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

“Continued strong revenue collections and high inflation have again resulted in increases in the revenue forecast,” said Steve Lerch, executive director of the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

The first week of May is when we celebrate public employees for their great work and service to the public. 

While there will be no in-person, multi-agency event in Olympia this year, there will be in-person events in Spokane and the Tri-Cities. OFM is also offering several online presentations on state employee benefits and business resource groups, and it will hold these events in partnership with the Seattle Mariners and Tacoma Rainiers.

OLYMPIA – Washington’s projected Near General Fund revenue collections for the 2021–23 state budget have increased by about $1.45 billion, according to estimates released today by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

"Continued strong revenue collections and real estate transactions combined with higher inflation have resulted in an increase in the revenue forecast,” said Steve Lerch, executive director of the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

Do you know a state employee or manager who consistently excels beyond expectations? In the spirit of recognizing such service, OFM is asking you to nominate state government and higher education employees and teams for one of the awards below. Nominations close Monday, Feb. 28, and awards will be announced on May 4 as part of Public Service Recognition Week.

View operating budget requests that state agencies and higher education institutions have submitted to us for consideration in Gov. Inslee's 2022 supplemental budget proposal:

Agency Budget Requests

The website is best viewed in either Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browser.

For help in using the online system, check out this guide:

Washington’s projected Near General Fund revenue collections for the 2021–23 state budget have increased by nearly $1.8 billion, according to estimates released today by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

“Trends in collections and the steady re-opening of the economy suggest some positive improvements in the revenue forecast this quarter,” said Dr. Steve Lerch, executive director of the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

Notify your payroll office if you choose to make changes to your banking information and use this form:

If you decide to make a change, here are some things to note:

Gov. Inslee announced the details of his 2021 – 2023 biennial budget proposal Thursday, which included significant funding for public health, economic supports for workers and businesses, and other services that Washingtonians need to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19.

"We must invest in the relief, recovery and resilience of Washington. We cannot cut the things that we need most during a pandemic," Inslee said during a press conference Thursday. "In my proposed operating, capital and transportation budgets, I am investing in the people of our state."

One Washington agency deep dive meetings are underway! Watch a video featuring Emily Poyner, the One Washington OCM Director, and Amy McMahan, the Department of Retirement Systems Project Management Office Director, to learn more about the benefits of the One Washington agency deep dive meeti

Revenue collections and forecast continue to lag pre-pandemic levels

OLYMPIA – Washington’s projected Near General Fund revenue collections for the 2019–21 state budget have increased by more than $634 million, according to estimates released today by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

But revenue collections and forecast remain below pre-pandemic levels

OLYMPIA – Washington’s projected Near General Fund revenue collections for the 2019–21 state budget have increased by more than $2.2 billion, according to estimates released today by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

Update: see video recordings and slides from these meetings.

You are invited to the Washington State Data Center conference, with three seperate presentations on September 22, 29, and October 6.  Receive training and information from Census Bureau program experts. Learn more about how to access and analyze census data, about the Census Bureau’s economic and employment data, and finally about how differential privacy will affect the 2020 Census data products.

State funds totaling $171.7 million have been distributed to state agencies and institutions to use to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak crisis. This is part of a total $200 million in funds budgeted by the Legislature in Engrossed House Bill 2965. The current allocations are listed below. Click the column headings to sort by that column, or use the search box to filter by keyword:

Gov. Jay Inslee issued a directive to executive and small cabinet agencies today to freeze all hiring, personal service contracts and equipment purchases. The directive aims to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Washington's economy and financial outlook.

The newly established ITPS Governance Committee held its first meeting on Jan. 28, 2020.  This IT & HR joint governance committee is a first-of-its-kind collaboration to help manage the state's IT workforce.

Read more about the the purpose of the ITPS Governance Committee and what was covered in the first meeting.

Gov. Jay Inslee released his 2020 supplemental budget proposal Wednesday with substantial investments that address the statewide homelessness crisis, expand early learning and strengthen the foster care system, and enhance diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in government, schools and communities.

Gov. Jay Inslee recently signed an executive order that directs Washington state agencies to update many of the state’s technology systems — some of them from the dinosaur era, in computer years. These systems help the state continue uninterrupted services to Washingtonians and are overdue for important and more current technology updates.

The Office of Financial Management announces the availability of $2 million for Washington state cities, counties and libraries to support their efforts to reach out to residents regarding the 202

Washington’s projected Near General Fund revenue collections for the 2019–21 state budget have increased by nearly $299 million, according to estimates released today by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

“The Washington economic and revenue outlook remains positive without significant changes since our previous forecast,” said Steve Lerch, forecast council executive director. “This update reflects these modest changes.”

The  Lunch and Learn series is a bi-monthly hour-long workshop that provides training and resources to state human resource professionals. These sessions are intended to promote collaboration and learning within the state’s human resources community.

The following data products are now available on our website:

You can now view operating budget requests that state agencies and higher education institutions have submitted to us for consideration in Gov. Inslee's 2020 supplemental budget proposal:

Agency Budget Requests

The website is best viewed in Google Chrome browser.

For help in using the online system, check out this guide:

As of April 1, 2019, an estimated 7,546,400 people reside in the State of Washington, according to annual estimates prepared by the Office of Financial Management.

On June 21 OFM issued Request for Proposals for 2020 Census Education and Outreach.

This message from Governor Jay Inslee was sent out to all state employees on April 9, 2019:

Dear Fellow State Employee,

OFM Census team adds lots of new resources in March, including:

The Washington state Complete Count Committee met for the second time on January 24, 2019. In addition to reviewing and approving the Factsheet on Census and Confidentiality, the CCC reviewed the work of various subcommittees and discussed the Governor's budget request for 2020 Census promotions.

The agenda, minutes and other products are now available on our website.

Now available: printable color-coded county maps showing hard-to-count populations.

The Governor's Award for Leadership in Management is an annual award that recognizes managers in state government who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through performance results in the previous year. The governor is seeking nominees who have achieved results, demonstrated leadership competencies and prioritized cultivating an innovative and inclusive work environment. The criterion has a focus on utilizing continuous process improvement principles. Nominations are due March 4, 2019.

A new and improved version of an online dashboard that makes it even easier to monitor postsecondary outcomes for Washington high school graduates is now available.

The High School Graduate Outcomes dashboard, created by the Education Research and Data Center in the state Office of Financial Management, has displayed first-year college enrollment, persistence, completion and earnings of high school graduates by school district and individual school.

Census Bureau is recruiting. OFM posts recruiting fliers for Adams, Clark, King, Kitsap, Pierce and Thurston counties. It is an easy process and can provide you with extra income and helps your community. Apply today!

Gov. Jay Inslee released his 2019–21 biennial budget today that makes significant investments in clean energy, behavioral health, orca recovery, education, statewide broadband and other crucial budget investments.

“Washington is the only state that consistently ranks as a top state for business and ranks as the top state for workers. But we know that prosperity is not shared equally and we must make investments to grow our economy, protect the most vulnerable and ensure that everyone has access to opportunity,” Inslee said.

On November 27, 2018 One Washington presented to state chief financial officers, chief information officers, application owners and information technology staff a recap of the state’s initial integrations analysis.

Revenue forecast for 2019–21 budget increased by $196 million

OLYMPIA – Washington’s projected Near General Fund revenue collections for the 2017–19 state budget have increased by about $163 million, according to estimates released today by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

“Revenue collections are essentially the same as forecast and the economy is behaving as anticipated, so the latest revisions are relatively small,” said Steve Lerch, forecast council executive director.

WaTech and OFM are very excited to announce the launch of the HRMS Support Hub website, designed to create a user-friendly support experience for our Human Resource Management System (HRMS) professional user community.

Revenue forecast for 2019–21 budget increased by $443 million

OLYMPIA – Washington’s projected Near General Fund revenue collections for the 2017–19 state budget have increased by nearly $348 million, according to estimates released today by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

“With positive adjustments to both state personal income and employment, we have revised the latest forecast upward slightly,” said Steve Lerch, forecast council executive director.

You can now view operating budget requests that state agencies and higher education institutions have submitted to us for consideration in Gov. Inslee's 2019–21 biennial budget proposal:

Agency Budget Requests

The website is best viewed in Google Chrome browser.

In a report released August 27, 2018, the U.S. Government Accountability Office finds that the Census Bureau is behind on finalizing planning for efforts to reach minorities and hard-to-count populations in the 2020 census.

One Washington provided an update to state employees in a live presentation on July 30 and a repeat presentation on July 31, 2018. The update provided a fresh orientation to the effort.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is initiating a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals from organizations interested in helping ensure a complete count of people in Washington during the 2020 census. Proposals are due by August 24.

Download full RFP

Contact Jaclyn Woodson, RFP coordinator, at Jaclyn.woodson@commerce.wa.gov or 360-725.4049.

The final edition of the One Washington Program Blueprint was released June 29, 2018. This document is the go-to resource to understand where the state is headed. At the time of publishing, no other state has implemented a complete Software as a Service (SaaS) enterprise resource planning system across all of its core business domains – so Washington will be leading the curve.

OLYMPIA – Washington’s projected Near General Fund revenue collections for the 2017–19 state budget have increased by a net $298 million, according to estimates released today by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. 

“With collections once again running above the previous forecast, particularly given the increase in housing values, we revised the forecast upward,” said Steve Lerch, forecast council executive director.  

The US Census Bureau has begun recruiting for a variety of jobs related to the 2020 Census. Job postings will change over time, and you can check out the current openings in Washington here:

Census Bureau - Washington Employment Opportunities

A new system that will both streamline and modernize budget development and reporting operations for Washington state agencies and for state government as a whole was launched today.

The new Agency Budget System (ABS) is a collaborative project between the state’s Office of Financial Management (OFM), which manages the state’s budgeting processes, and Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech), which lent about two dozen staff to the project through its inception in September 2016.

The 2018-19 supplemental budget required and funded work at OFM to promote a complete count of Washingtonians in the 2020 census. Based on a Census Bureau recommendation and experience in other states in 2010, OFM is assembling a “Complete Count Committee” of key stakeholders and prominent individuals, particularly among hard to count communities, to develop strategies, activities and documents to promote a complete count of Washington residents.

The project team is working diligently to replace the enterprise Budget Development System (BDS) with the new Agency Budget System (ABS). In case you missed it, One Washington held a statewide system preview event on Oct 27, 2017 to provide information about ABS. The first release is scheduled for early June, just in time for agencies to prepare 2019-21 budget requests. The new system streamlines several paper-based processes and establishes a new digital framework to submit and share biennial and supplemental budget requests. Features include:

The One Washington program has been busy working with stakeholders in a variety of interviews and workshops.  This work has been summarized throughout version two of the Program Blueprint.  This document is the second of three versions, which describes the timeline and budget for modernizing and improving aging administrative systems and related business processes that are common throughout state government.

The Governor's Award for Leadership in Management is an annual award that recognizes managers in state government who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through performance results in the previous year. The governor is seeking nominees who have achieved results, demonstrated leadership competencies and prioritized cultivating an innovative and inclusive work environment. The criterion has a focus on utilizing continuous process improvement principles. Nominations are due March 5, 2018.

Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday released his 2018 supplemental budget, which adds nearly $1 billion to fully fund basic education in time for the 2018 school year and makes modest new investments for emerging and urgent needs such as tools to combat the opioid crisis, emergency preparedness, protection for endangered orcas and mental health.

OLYMPIA – Washington’s projected Near General Fund revenue collections for the 2017–19 state budget have increased by nearly $319 million, according to estimates released today by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. The increased revenue estimate is a 0.7 percent increase over the previous forecast.

“The U.S. and Washington economies continue to perform largely as expected in our September forecast,” said Steve Lerch, forecast council executive director. “As a result, we have made relatively small adjustments in our forecast update.”

Agency Budget System preview presentation, 10/27/17 from Office of Financial Management on Vimeo.

Please join us for an exciting opportunity to see the latest work on the Budget System Modernization project! We will preview the prototype for the system that will replace the Budget Development System (BDS) in June 2018. There will also be an opportunity for Q&A with the project team and we will announce the winner of the new system naming contest!

When:  Friday October 27, 2017, 9–11 a.m.

Where:  1500 Jefferson Street, 1st Floor, Presentation Room 1213

The Office of Financial Management’s Health Care Research Center is pleased to announce the release of a new research brief, “Potentially Preventable Hospitalizations by Legislative District.”

This report examines hospitalizations for eleven conditions that, in theory, would not have required inpatient care if the patients had had timely access to primary or secondary care services such as vaccinations, antibiotics, regular physician office visits, etc.

Be sure to mark your calendars for our Blueprint Kick-off Event for the One Washington program!

To kick-off the work for the new biennium of the Program Blueprint we are hosting an event to share important information with you.  The One Washington Program Blueprint will plan, budget, and structure our business transformation and system implementations into achievable, incremental, fundable projects. This detailed plan will provide the support we need to move forward.

On April 21, 2017 Accenture LLP (Accenture) was announced as the Apparently Successful Bidder (ASB) to serve as the state’s Strategic Partner for the One Washington Program. To learn more, visit the Strategic Partner page.

If you're looking to verify employment of workers from state agencies, or get information about W-2s, please contact the employing agency HR office.

OFM conducted three presentations on the Chart of Accounts (COA) project and data governance plan.  The first presentation was at the Financial Management Advisory Council meeting on January 26th.  Due to the limited size of the room, two follow up presentations were conducted on Feb 7th and 14th in the OB2 auditorium.