The study report is broken down into five sub-categories upon which the overall grade is based. The Financial Management category earned the state an A-minus. No state has made more of a virtue out of financial necessity than Washington. It notes that state budgeting is based on six and 10 year plans and that fiscal notes and budget policy proposals on the impact of legislation are attached to whatever legislation is considered. The study also lauds the state for flexibility in budget spending.
Agencies can move cash around within programs . . .
The state was graded a bit lower in the next two areas, Human Resources and Managing for Results. Grades for both were B-pluses. The other B-plus was for Managing for Results. But the report notes that about a sixth of state agencies do not have outcome-orientated measures. Maureen Morris of Locke's Office of Financial Management says these are quasi-independent agencies that do not report directly to the governor.