The legislative sessions in Washington and Idaho have wrapped up with polar opposite decisions regarding government spending.
In Idaho, lawmakers adjourned on April 6th with a general fund budget of $5.1 billion. That is a nearly 8% increase from last year's $4.6 billion budget and an 83% increase in the past decade.
In Washington, lawmakers passed a nearly 9% increase in state spending - finishing with a final product of nearly $70 billion. Over the past decade, the Washington State budget has increased 124%.
Some of the differences can be attributed to population, as Washington is the larger state. But on a per-capita (or per person basis), Washington is spending a boatload more. In fact, almost four times as much.
More analysis in the coming days.