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JFAC adopts FY2025 revenue baseline of $5.99 billion; FY2026 decision postponed after divided votes
Summary
The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee adopted the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee(EORAC) recommendation for FY2025 revenues but did not reach a bicameral majority on a FY2026 number, leaving that decision for a later date.
The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee adopted the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee(EORAC) recommendation for fiscal year 2025 general fund revenues of $5,990,000,000. The motion was made by Senator Woodward and seconded by Cochair Horman; the committee recorded a unanimous affirmative vote from both the Senate and the House delegations (total 20-0).
The adopted FY2025 figure will be used to set agency budgets and replaces the governor's lower recommendation for the current fiscal year. Keith Bybee, division manager of the Budget Policy Analysis Division, presented the packet and identified the EORAC recommendation as the basis for the motion.
By contrast, members were unable to reach agreement on a FY2026 revenue number. Representative Petsky moved to adopt the EORAC recommendation of $6,400,000,000 for FY2026; Senator Woodward offered a substitute motion to adopt $6,330,000,000. Committee debate ranged from arguing for a conservative baseline to urging adherence to the economic outlook committee's recommendation.
The substitute motion (Senator Woodward's $6,330,000,000) failed on a combined tally (grand total 8 ayes, 12 nays), preventing it from carrying. The committee then voted on the original motion to adopt $6,400,000,000; that motion received a combined tally of 14 ayes and 6 nays but did not win a majority in both chambers within JFAC, so it also failed to advance. After the votes, the committee chair said the FY2026 revenue decision would be revisited at a later time when both chambers could reach a concurrent majority.
Why it matters: The revenue baseline that JFAC sets determines the budget envelope for every state agency. Adoption of the FY2025 figure immediately sets budget targets; postponing the FY2026 decision leaves agency planning and later appropriation choices contingent on a future committee action.
Votes at a glance: - FY2025 revenue projection ($5,990,000,000): Motion by Senator Woodward; second by Cochair Horman. Outcome: Passed (Senate 10-0; House 10-0; grand total 20-0). - FY2026 substitute ($6,330,000,000): Motion by Senator Woodward; second recorded. Outcome: Failed (grand total 8 ayes, 12 nays). - FY2026 original (EORAC $6,400,000,000): Motion by Representative Petsky; second recorded. Outcome: Failed to obtain required majority from both chambers (grand total 14 ayes, 6 nays); committee deferred further action.
What happens next: The chair said the committee will revisit FY2026 revenue at a later meeting; the adopted FY2025 number will be used for agency budget setting and for maintenance-budget work scheduled for the following day.
