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	<title>population growth &#8211; ClarkCountyToday.com</title>
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	<title>population growth &#8211; ClarkCountyToday.com</title>
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	<item>
		<title>Opinion: What the state&#8217;s own data says about Superintendent Reykdal&#8217;s budget claims</title>
		<link>https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-what-the-states-own-data-says-about-superintendent-reykdals-budget-claims/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=opinion-what-the-states-own-data-says-about-superintendent-reykdals-budget-claims</link>
					<comments>https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-what-the-states-own-data-says-about-superintendent-reykdals-budget-claims/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ClarkCountyToday.com]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 21:39:27 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state spending]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pension]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Superintendent of Public Instruction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[technology sector]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[population growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wage growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Office of Financial Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget shortfall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[OFM data]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[taxpayers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fiscal policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget claims]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state employees]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ryan Frost]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[King County]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax structure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Center for Budget and Tax Policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GDP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chris Reykdal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[public sector wages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Policy Center]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[operating budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[employee compensation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[government spending]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/uncategorized/opinion-what-the-states-own-data-says-about-superintendent-reykdals-budget-claims/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="300" height="169" src="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Large_Clark-County-Today-16668-ryan-frost-washington-policy-center-reykdal-state-budget-spending-300x169.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="State data show real tax burden per resident rose roughly 44% since 2004, contradicting Reykdal&#039;s fiscal restraint claims." decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Large_Clark-County-Today-16668-ryan-frost-washington-policy-center-reykdal-state-budget-spending-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Large_Clark-County-Today-16668-ryan-frost-washington-policy-center-reykdal-state-budget-spending-711x400.jpg 711w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Large_Clark-County-Today-16668-ryan-frost-washington-policy-center-reykdal-state-budget-spending-150x84.jpg 150w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Large_Clark-County-Today-16668-ryan-frost-washington-policy-center-reykdal-state-budget-spending-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Large_Clark-County-Today-16668-ryan-frost-washington-policy-center-reykdal-state-budget-spending.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>State data show real tax burden per resident rose roughly 44% since 2004, contradicting Reykdal's fiscal restraint claims.]]></description>
		
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			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
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		<item>
		<title>Opinion: Idaho and Montana are winning the competition for America’s families</title>
		<link>https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-idaho-and-montana-are-winning-the-competition-for-americas-families/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=opinion-idaho-and-montana-are-winning-the-competition-for-americas-families</link>
					<comments>https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-idaho-and-montana-are-winning-the-competition-for-americas-families/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ClarkCountyToday.com]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:56:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state spending]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[domestic migration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chris Cargill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state competition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gasoline taxes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[free market]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[entrepreneurship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[regulatory reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Idaho]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[moving truck]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax burden]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mountain West]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[population growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[carbon pricing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[think tank]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New York]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[educational opportunity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[economic freedom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Montana]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Illinois]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[infrastructure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mountain States Policy Center]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mercatus Center]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[capital gains tax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[housing affordability]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[interstate migration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[income tax]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/uncategorized/opinion-idaho-and-montana-are-winning-the-competition-for-americas-families/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="300" height="169" src="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/cc7689-Large_Clark-County-Today-16638-chris-cargill-mountain-states-policy-center-interstate-migration-idaho-montana-1-300x169.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Idaho gained roughly 12,500 net new residents in 2024, with Washington as its single largest source of newcomers." decoding="async" srcset="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/cc7689-Large_Clark-County-Today-16638-chris-cargill-mountain-states-policy-center-interstate-migration-idaho-montana-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/cc7689-Large_Clark-County-Today-16638-chris-cargill-mountain-states-policy-center-interstate-migration-idaho-montana-1-711x400.jpg 711w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/cc7689-Large_Clark-County-Today-16638-chris-cargill-mountain-states-policy-center-interstate-migration-idaho-montana-1-150x84.jpg 150w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/cc7689-Large_Clark-County-Today-16638-chris-cargill-mountain-states-policy-center-interstate-migration-idaho-montana-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/cc7689-Large_Clark-County-Today-16638-chris-cargill-mountain-states-policy-center-interstate-migration-idaho-montana-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>Idaho gained roughly 12,500 net new residents in 2024, with Washington as its single largest source of newcomers.]]></description>
		
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			<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		
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		<item>
		<title>POLL: Do you believe Clark County needs light rail or other fixed rail transit in the future?</title>
		<link>https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-do-you-believe-clark-county-needs-light-rail-or-other-fixed-rail-transit-in-the-future/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=poll-do-you-believe-clark-county-needs-light-rail-or-other-fixed-rail-transit-in-the-future</link>
					<comments>https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-do-you-believe-clark-county-needs-light-rail-or-other-fixed-rail-transit-in-the-future/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ClarkCountyToday.com]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2026 02:42:10 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fixed rail transit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clark County Today]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[long-range planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[community input]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vancouver leaders]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[population growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transit debate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rail infrastructure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[public opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transit planning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fixed rail]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/?p=187289</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="300" height="169" src="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16510-clark-county-light-rail-fixed-rail-transit-poll-ctran-300x169.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Vancouver leaders want C-TRAN to study fixed rail as part of its long-range transportation planning." decoding="async" srcset="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16510-clark-county-light-rail-fixed-rail-transit-poll-ctran-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16510-clark-county-light-rail-fixed-rail-transit-poll-ctran-711x400.jpg 711w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16510-clark-county-light-rail-fixed-rail-transit-poll-ctran-150x84.jpg 150w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16510-clark-county-light-rail-fixed-rail-transit-poll-ctran-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16510-clark-county-light-rail-fixed-rail-transit-poll-ctran.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>Vancouver leaders want C-TRAN to study fixed rail as part of its long-range transportation planning.]]></description>
		
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			<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
		
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		<item>
		<title>Leaders react to Erik Paulsen’s proposal to bring rail infrastructure to streets of Vancouver</title>
		<link>https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/leaders-react-to-erik-paulsens-proposal-to-bring-rail-infrastructure-to-streets-of-vancouver/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=leaders-react-to-erik-paulsens-proposal-to-bring-rail-infrastructure-to-streets-of-vancouver</link>
					<comments>https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/leaders-react-to-erik-paulsens-proposal-to-bring-rail-infrastructure-to-streets-of-vancouver/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ClarkCountyToday.com]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2026 21:05:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clark County Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transit funding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vancouver City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[population growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[staff opinions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C-TRAN]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Erik Paulsen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[small cities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bart Hansen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Expo Center]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[John Ley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C-TRAN 2045]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Interstate Bridge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[replacement bridge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[20-year plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vancouver Waterfront]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax increase]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fixed rail]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bus rapid transit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rail infrastructure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vancouver]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[George Patton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[BRT]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[District 18]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vancouver Urban Growth Area]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C-TRAN Board]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anne McEnerny-Ogle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Vine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tim Hein]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/uncategorized/leaders-react-to-erik-paulsens-proposal-to-bring-rail-infrastructure-to-streets-of-vancouver/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="300" height="169" src="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16502-ctran-board-tim-hein-erik-paulsen-fixed-rail-vancouver-transit-1-300x169.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="C-TRAN&#039;s Tim Hein warns Vancouver and Clark County must sell fixed rail costs to their own constituents." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16502-ctran-board-tim-hein-erik-paulsen-fixed-rail-vancouver-transit-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16502-ctran-board-tim-hein-erik-paulsen-fixed-rail-vancouver-transit-1-711x400.jpg 711w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16502-ctran-board-tim-hein-erik-paulsen-fixed-rail-vancouver-transit-1-150x84.jpg 150w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16502-ctran-board-tim-hein-erik-paulsen-fixed-rail-vancouver-transit-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16502-ctran-board-tim-hein-erik-paulsen-fixed-rail-vancouver-transit-1.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>C-TRAN's Tim Hein warns Vancouver and Clark County must sell fixed rail costs to their own constituents.]]></description>
		
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			<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		
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		<item>
		<title>Vancouver leaders want C-TRAN to look into fixed rail infrastructure throughout the city</title>
		<link>https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-leaders-want-c-tran-to-look-into-fixed-rail-infrastructure-throughout-the-city/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=vancouver-leaders-want-c-tran-to-look-into-fixed-rail-infrastructure-throughout-the-city</link>
					<comments>https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-leaders-want-c-tran-to-look-into-fixed-rail-infrastructure-throughout-the-city/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ClarkCountyToday.com]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2026 18:36:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C-TRAN Board of Directors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[trams]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[trolleys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anne McEnerny-Ogle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sue Marshall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transit oriented development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vancouver City Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[C-TRAN 2045 plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[VUGA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Interstate Bridge Replacement program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[subdistrict tax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kim Harless]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Transportation Benefit Area]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bus rapid transit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[long-range plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vancouver Urban Growth Area]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Vine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PTBA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[population growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Redmond]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Erik Paulsen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fixed rail]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/uncategorized/vancouver-leaders-want-c-tran-to-look-into-fixed-rail-infrastructure-throughout-the-city/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="300" height="169" src="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16487-vancouver-ctran-fixed-rail-light-rail-transit-oriented-developmen-300x169.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Councilor Erik Paulsen says existing Vine stops already have the floor height to support tram conversion." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16487-vancouver-ctran-fixed-rail-light-rail-transit-oriented-developmen-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16487-vancouver-ctran-fixed-rail-light-rail-transit-oriented-developmen-711x400.jpg 711w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16487-vancouver-ctran-fixed-rail-light-rail-transit-oriented-developmen-150x84.jpg 150w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16487-vancouver-ctran-fixed-rail-light-rail-transit-oriented-developmen-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16487-vancouver-ctran-fixed-rail-light-rail-transit-oriented-developmen.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>Councilor Erik Paulsen says existing Vine stops already have the floor height to support tram conversion.]]></description>
		
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			<slash:comments>8</slash:comments>
		
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		<item>
		<title>Opinion: Governor Ferguson warns of upcoming shortfall after years of overspending</title>
		<link>https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-governor-ferguson-warns-of-upcoming-shortfall-after-years-of-overspending/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=opinion-governor-ferguson-warns-of-upcoming-shortfall-after-years-of-overspending</link>
					<comments>https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-governor-ferguson-warns-of-upcoming-shortfall-after-years-of-overspending/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ClarkCountyToday.com]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 22:39:53 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[court challenge]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Research Council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax increases]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[federal funding cuts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[appropriations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[overspending]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[supplemental budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spending trajectory]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Olympia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[OFM]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Center for Budget and Tax Policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Policy Center]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget shortfall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fund transfers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Association of Washington Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fiscal policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reserve drawdowns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ballot measures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governor Ferguson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governor Gregoire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[population growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[deficit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[biennium]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Ryan Frost]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/uncategorized/opinion-governor-ferguson-warns-of-upcoming-shortfall-after-years-of-overspending/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="300" height="169" src="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16403-ryan-frost-washington-policy-center-washington-state-budget-short-300x169.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Washington&#039;s $80.2B budget grew more than twice as fast as population and inflation combined since 2013." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16403-ryan-frost-washington-policy-center-washington-state-budget-short-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16403-ryan-frost-washington-policy-center-washington-state-budget-short-711x400.jpg 711w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16403-ryan-frost-washington-policy-center-washington-state-budget-short-150x84.jpg 150w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16403-ryan-frost-washington-policy-center-washington-state-budget-short-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16403-ryan-frost-washington-policy-center-washington-state-budget-short.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>Washington's $80.2B budget grew more than twice as fast as population and inflation combined since 2013.]]></description>
		
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		<item>
		<title>Washington facing sharp budget deficit, &#8216;significant impact&#8217; to services expected</title>
		<link>https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/washington-facing-sharp-budget-deficit-significant-impact-to-services-expected/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=washington-facing-sharp-budget-deficit-significant-impact-to-services-expected</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ClarkCountyToday.com]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:03:22 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[taxpayer advocates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget deficit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget requests]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[biennial budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fiscal shortfall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[@TCSWashington]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ballot measures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[K.D. Chapman-See]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[population growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Office of Financial Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[millionaires tax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[public services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[forensic audit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state agencies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2027-29 budget cycle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bob Ferguson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[federal funding cuts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cost containment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[court decisions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[program reductions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[OFM]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/uncategorized/washington-facing-sharp-budget-deficit-significant-impact-to-services-expected/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="300" height="169" src="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16399-washington-state-budget-deficit-ofm-2027-29-biennial-shortfall-300x169.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="OFM Director K.D. Chapman-See warns agencies the 2027-29 budget shortfall spans both operating and transportation funds." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16399-washington-state-budget-deficit-ofm-2027-29-biennial-shortfall-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16399-washington-state-budget-deficit-ofm-2027-29-biennial-shortfall-711x400.jpg 711w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16399-washington-state-budget-deficit-ofm-2027-29-biennial-shortfall-150x84.jpg 150w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16399-washington-state-budget-deficit-ofm-2027-29-biennial-shortfall-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16399-washington-state-budget-deficit-ofm-2027-29-biennial-shortfall.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>OFM Director K.D. Chapman-See warns agencies the 2027-29 budget shortfall spans both operating and transportation funds.]]></description>
		
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		<title>WA governor’s office warns agencies to prepare for ‘significant budget shortfalls’</title>
		<link>https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/wa-governors-office-warns-agencies-to-prepare-for-significant-budget-shortfalls/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=wa-governors-office-warns-agencies-to-prepare-for-significant-budget-shortfalls</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ClarkCountyToday.com]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:22:53 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christine Gregoire]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Office of Financial Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ballot initiative]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state agencies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rainy day fund]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[operating budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[K.D. Chapman-See]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bob Ferguson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bill Lucia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[transportation budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget cuts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state spending]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[millionaire tax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[legislative session]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[child care funding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget deficit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pandemic spending]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tax relief]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget shortfall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[price inflation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[revenue forecast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington State Standard]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[population growth]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/uncategorized/wa-governors-office-warns-agencies-to-prepare-for-significant-budget-shortfalls/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="300" height="169" src="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16393-washington-governor-bob-ferguson-budget-shortfall-memo-agency-war-300x169.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="WA budget director warns agencies the next biennium will be the most challenging budget any of them has yet faced." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16393-washington-governor-bob-ferguson-budget-shortfall-memo-agency-war-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16393-washington-governor-bob-ferguson-budget-shortfall-memo-agency-war-711x400.jpg 711w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16393-washington-governor-bob-ferguson-budget-shortfall-memo-agency-war-150x84.jpg 150w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16393-washington-governor-bob-ferguson-budget-shortfall-memo-agency-war-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Large_Clark-County-Today-16393-washington-governor-bob-ferguson-budget-shortfall-memo-agency-war.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>WA budget director warns agencies the next biennium will be the most challenging budget any of them has yet faced.]]></description>
		
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		<title>County Council approves preferred alternative for the county’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan update</title>
		<link>https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/county-council-approves-preferred-alternative-for-the-countys-2045-comprehensive-plan-update/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=county-council-approves-preferred-alternative-for-the-countys-2045-comprehensive-plan-update</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ClarkCountyToday.com]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:57:49 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[urban growth area]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[agricultural land]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wil Fuentes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sprawl]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Growth Management Act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Matt Little]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TDR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Glen Yung]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HB 1110]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ken Vance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[housing units]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environmental Impact Statement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DEIS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Michelle Belkot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[population growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[urban growth boundaries]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Land Use]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transfer of Development Rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Matt Cole]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2045 Comprehensive Plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sue Marshall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[farmland]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/uncategorized/county-council-approves-preferred-alternative-for-the-countys-2045-comprehensive-plan-update/</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="300" height="169" src="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Large_Clark-County-Today-16143-clark-county-comprehensive-plan-urban-growth-boundaries-map-300x169.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="The 3-2 council vote preserves future expansion options despite sharp disagreement over farmland protection." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Large_Clark-County-Today-16143-clark-county-comprehensive-plan-urban-growth-boundaries-map-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Large_Clark-County-Today-16143-clark-county-comprehensive-plan-urban-growth-boundaries-map-711x400.jpg 711w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Large_Clark-County-Today-16143-clark-county-comprehensive-plan-urban-growth-boundaries-map-150x84.jpg 150w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Large_Clark-County-Today-16143-clark-county-comprehensive-plan-urban-growth-boundaries-map-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Large_Clark-County-Today-16143-clark-county-comprehensive-plan-urban-growth-boundaries-map.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>The 3-2 council vote preserves future expansion options despite sharp disagreement over farmland protection.]]></description>
		
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		<item>
		<title>Opinion: Tax slave to Washington state?</title>
		<link>https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/opinion-tax-slave-to-washington-state/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=opinion-tax-slave-to-washington-state</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[ClarkCountyToday.com]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2025 02:15:56 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington State]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[economic policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fiscal policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington State Legislature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ferry County Republican Party]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington Policy Center]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Olympia lawmakers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[government spending]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[House Bill 1560]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[columns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Senate Bill 5638]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[population growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SB 5638]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dangerous Rhetoric]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health care excise tax]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nancy Churchill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hospital employees]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[taxation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[state taxes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal income]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/?p=179512</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p><img width="300" height="169" src="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Large_Clark-County-Today-15265-washington-state-taxation-opinion-column-300x169.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Nancy Churchill argues that Washington lawmakers increasingly treat taxation as entitlement rather than necessity, shifting the balance of power away from citizens and toward government." decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Large_Clark-County-Today-15265-washington-state-taxation-opinion-column-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Large_Clark-County-Today-15265-washington-state-taxation-opinion-column-711x400.jpg 711w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Large_Clark-County-Today-15265-washington-state-taxation-opinion-column-150x84.jpg 150w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Large_Clark-County-Today-15265-washington-state-taxation-opinion-column-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Large_Clark-County-Today-15265-washington-state-taxation-opinion-column.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>Nancy Churchill argues that Washington lawmakers increasingly treat taxation as entitlement rather than necessity, shifting the balance of power away from citizens and toward government. ]]></description>
		
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