JFAC adopts FY2025 revenue projection, defers FY2026 decision after split votes

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Friday voted to set the FY2025 general fund revenue projection at the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee’s recommendation of $5,990,000,000, a motion made by Senator Woodward and adopted by roll call. The committee recorded a unanimous combined vote of 20–0 (10 Senate, 10 House), satisfying the panel’s requirement for a majority in each chamber to move budget decisions to the floor.

For FY2026, the committee debated multiple competing revenue projections. Representative Petsky moved to adopt the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment Committee’s higher projection of $6,400,000,000. Senator Woodward offered a substitute of $6,330,000,000 as a compromise between the committee recommendation and the governor’s lower budget recommendation. After floor debate and roll-call votes on the substitute and then the original motion, neither motion secured the required majority from both the Senate and House delegation, so the committee did not adopt a FY2026 revenue number and postponed further action.

Chairman Groh explained the committee’s longstanding requirement that both a majority of Senate members and a majority of House members vote in favor of revenue-setting motions to strengthen floor consideration. Keith Bybee, Division Manager of the Budget Policy Analysis Division, briefed members on the differing forecasts and reminded the committee that the governor’s recommended budget used a lower $6.261 billion figure that included a $330 million public schools allowance.

Ending: The committee will revisit the FY2026 revenue number at a later date; meanwhile members will proceed with other maintenance decisions and nominations as scheduled.