Emily Makings

Commerce is a beautiful thing

Yesterday we published a report on the new transportation package. As we write in the report, by funding much-needed projects and maintenance, the package will improve commutes and help get goods to market, thereby benefiting the economy. The publication provides an excuse to link to this photo essay at Politico: The art of the interchange. […]

McCleary filings and the stubborn problem of I-1351

Last year the state Supreme Court found the Legislature in contempt for failure to provide a complete plan showing how it would comply with McCleary and implement its program of basic education. The Court held off on imposing sanctions until after the 2015 sessions. Yesterday the Legislature submitted its 2015 report to the Court on […]

Largest hotel in NW moving forward

The Seattle Times reports that the City of Seattle will allow the R.C. Hedreen hotel at 8th and Howell to go forward. It is a very interesting story. The hotel will have 1,264 rooms — the largest in the city (the Sheraton has 1,236 rooms). But originally the hotel was going to be even bigger, […]

New report: Improving Economy Allows for Significant Spending on Education Without New Taxes

Here is our report on the 2015-17 operating budget: Improving Economy Allows for Significant Spending on Education Without New Taxes. Briefly: The 2015–17 operating budget appropriates $38.219 billion. Spending is increased by $4.425 billion, or 13.1 percent, over 2013–15. An improving economy means that the state has about $3 billion more revenues than in 2013–15. […]

State Supreme Court: Washington employers have to pay piece-rate workers separately for breaks

Yesterday the state Supreme Court ruled that piece-rate workers must be paid separately for rest breaks. Further, such workers must be paid at least the minimum wage for the time spent on break, or their regular rate of pay, whichever is greater. Many agricultural workers are paid on a piece-rate basis (e.g., per bin of […]

Technology has made corn ubiquitous

The Hill reports that the House Agriculture Committee has passed a bill that would allow for a voluntary, federal labeling standard for genetically engineered (GE) foods. It would preempt states from mandating such labeling. Of course, Washington voters rejected an initiative in 2013 that would have created a mandatory labeling scheme here. Meanwhile, the Washington […]

Deal on I-1351 and science standards means end of session is in sight

Reportedly the Senate will vote today on delays of both Initiative 1351 and the biology graduation requirement. The 2015-17 operating budget does not fund I-1351. (For more on I-1351, see this policy brief.) Last week the House passed HB 2266 to delay implementation of the initiative until the 2019-2021 biennium, but the Senate failed to […]

Links: Tax changes and employment policy

The Department of Revenue has a list of the tax changes that went into effect July 1 (the first day of fiscal year 2016). Those tax changes include the extension of sales and use tax exemptions for data centers. Data centers have a significant economic impact on communities in eastern Washington, and the exemptions matter […]

How the drought could affect beer prices

The Puget Sound Business Journal’s current cover story is on how Washington’s drought is affecting craft breweries. (The story is behind the paywall.) The impact is most felt via the hops that are used in production. Demand is high for hops, and “demand plus drought is a costly combination.” Michael Butler, chairman and CEO of […]

Operating budget reduces tuition, increases higher education support by $427 million

One of the major headlines of the 2015-17 operating budget is the tuition reduction. According to the Seattle Times, Washington is “the only state in the country to lower tuition for public universities and colleges next year.” Further, Both the UW and WSU said the budget backfilled the loss in tuition revenue that will result […]