Revenue projections for Washington up slightly

As lawmakers head toward a third overtime legislative session, they received updated revenue numbers that give them a little bit of help as they struggle to reach agreement on a two-year state budget.

If a state operating budget isn't signed in law by midnight June 30, the state faces a partial government shutdown starting July 1.

12th District Representative Cary Condotta says Tuesday's updated revenue forecast was good news.  "It wasn't up a lot but it was up enough to help.  The gap that we are looking at between the two sides is very minimal and any increase in revenue helps that, shortens that gap and that should help get things moving in a forward direction"  Condotta said he is confident a deal will be worked out and a government shutdown will be avoided.

Numbers released by the Office of Financial Management at Tuesday's Economic and Revenue Forecast Council meeting show the state's revenue collections through the middle of through the middle of 2019 are expected to increase by about $159 million - with $80 million more than originally forecast for the upcoming 2017-2019 budget and $79 million more for the current two-year budget through the end of June. The projected overall state budget for 2017-19 is expected to be $41.7 billion.