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| 1872 | 1 |
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| 1894 | 8 |
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56 stories matching deficit
- Lawmakers Faced a $350,000 Deficit—and Made Officials Pay Personally
A bill by Senator Ide passed both houses making state managers personally liable for spending beyond appropriations, with a misdemeanor charge for creating a deficit.
- County Commissioners Hike Taxes Amidst Deficit Fears
Facing a projected deficit in the current expense fund, the county board approves a 16-mill levy to cover rising costs in administration and infrastructure.
- The Governor’s Veto and the State’s Looming Deficit
Governor McGraw slashes funding for two new normal schools, citing a constitutional mandate to keep the state's spending within its revenue.
- Scandalous Politician Drowns in Anacortes
A prominent Seattle Republican dies while boarding a steamer, leaving behind a legacy of real estate speculation and a massive public deficit investigation.
- Newport’s Financial Reckoning
Facing a mounting deficit and unpaid warrants, the town council moves to put a bond measure before voters to keep the lights on.
- Seattle’s Sewer Construction Hits a Wall
A report from the City Engineer exposes significant budget overruns and administrative errors in the 1893 sewer bond projects, forcing an immediate halt to construction.
- City Hall's Reckless Ledger Exposed
A scathing look at the city's financial deficit, alleged corruption, and the mismanagement of municipal resources under Mayor Hunt.
- The Hanford Ditch War Goes Federal
A power and irrigation utility takes the state to court to fight regulated water rates, signaling a long battle over regional infrastructure.
- The School Budget Crisis of 1877
Seattle’s public schools faced a complete shutdown due to a $1,500 deficit, forcing local leaders to choose between debt, taxes, or cutting the school year short.
- Whitman College's Financial Reckoning
After years of 'disorganized' student management, the Associated Students face a $1,000 deficit and calls for strict economic reform.
- The Olympia Safe Heist and the Culture of Corruption
A government agent discovered a $39,000 deficit in the Olympia sub-treasury, only for the missing funds to vanish entirely after the agent allegedly returned control to the defaulting official.
- County Treasurer Found in Deficit
Yakima County Commissioners order legal action against bondsmen to recover nearly $12,000 in missing public funds.
- The Price of Policing the 'Unfortunates'
A budget report reveals that Seattle’s municipal court revenue plummeted after a policy change regarding how the city policed its marginalized citizens.
- Industrial Insurance Fund Faces Deficit
A surge of injuries in Washington logging camps and mills has overwhelmed the state accident insurance commission, forcing an emergency levy on employers.
- Tacoma’s Public Market Finds Its Feet
City report confirms that the municipal public market is paying down its initial debt and thriving with a diverse range of local vendors.
- The Price of a Growing City: Mayor Leary’s 1885 Fiscal Reckoning
Mayor John Leary delivers a scathing audit of Seattle’s municipal debt, high-interest scrip, and the struggle to maintain public services while balancing the budget of a booming town.
- County Commissioners Hunt Down Missing Treasurer’s Funds
A forensic audit reveals that former Yakima County Treasurer John A. Splawn left a deficit of over a thousand dollars, sparking a legal demand for repayment from his estate.
- The Financial Cost of the Temperance Fight
A state supreme court ruling creates a $42,000 budget deficit for Everett, leaving the city to grapple with the economic fallout of its prohibitionist policies.
- Seattle's 1894 Budget Crisis: $89,787 Short and Cutting the Police
A comptroller's statement exposed a looming deficit, the council created a retrenchment committee, and eight patrolmen were dropped from the force—over the mayor's personal objection.
- The Farewell of a Pastor
Trinity M.E. Church honors their departing leader, who transformed the congregation's finances during the 'hard times'.
- The City Treasurer Absconds
Seattle City Treasurer Adolph Krug flees to British Columbia amid reports of a massive $30,000 deficit in the municipal treasury.
- The Price of Early Seattle’s Growing Pains
Facing a mountain of debt, unpaid warrants, and legal judgments, Seattle held a high-stakes special election in 1892 to borrow $850,000 to keep the city running.
- The Northern Pacific Railroad Meltdown
Shareholders accuse directors of self-dealing as the rail giant enters receivership amid the Panic of 1893.
- The Great Baptist Schism of 1885
A regional convention turns into a heated public spectacle over the management of church funds and the role of the 'superintendent of missions.'
- The Great County Treasury Heist
After fleeing to Whidbey Island, a disgraced ex-treasurer remains at large while investigators uncover a web of missing warrants and forged securities.
Also about this, in other words
- The Governor's 1895 Warning: Washington Is Spending Itself Into Debt
A message to the legislature tallies a looming deficit, runaway appropriations and a public-land system under pressure — while urging lawmakers to lease harbor areas cheaply and defend taxpayers.
- City Hall's Fiscal Fantasy
A skeptical report on the retiring Walla Walla city council's claims of fiscal responsibility amidst rising taxes.