New Brief: I-1163: Once, Twice, Still Not a Priority
We have taken a look at Initiative 1163, and the resulting policy brief is here. I-1163 would essentially make the state implement training and background check requirements for long-term care workers (which were approved by voters in 2008) this biennium. The program never had a dedicated source of funding, and the legislature has never implemented […]
September 30 , 2011 - Emily Makings
From the Auditor: An Inventory of State Regulations
The state auditor’s office is undergoing a series of audits “to determine whether Washington’s business regulations are streamlined, transparent and consistent.” Today, they released an inventory of all state regulations, by agency. There is an Excel spreadsheet for each agency showing licenses, permits and inspections required by each. The information includes the purpose of license/permit/inspection, […]
September 30 , 2011 - Emily Makings
New Brief: I-1125: Jamming Transportation Planning
We have a new brief today on Initiative 1125, which would affect tolling and transportation policy in Washington. The initiative would forbid the transfer of revenues in the motor vehicle fund or any toll fund to the general fund; require that lanes funded by the gas tax or tolls be used for highway purposes; require […]
September 20 , 2011 - Emily Makings
Arkansas' Budget System and Prioritization
Arkansas, apparently, is one state that has managed to weather the recession fairly well. Stateline has an article today about the state's budget process, which is quite interesting: Every two years lawmakers pass a list of appropriations, and agencies project what they will need to run their programs. Then those funding requests are divided into […]
September 19 , 2011 - Emily Makings
New Brief: SJR 8206: A Prudent Savings Measure
In our new brief, we take a look at SJR 8206 — a constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot in November. The amendment would save any extraordinary revenue growth (growth that exceeds by one-third the average revenue growth over the prior five biennia) in the Budget Stabilization Account. Years in which there is […]
September 15 , 2011 - Emily Makings
Overpayment of Unemployment Benefits in WA
In a blog post yesterday, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) has released data on overpayment of unemployment benefits. As part of a plan to lower these overpayments, DoL will target certain states with high overpayment rates–including Washington. Nearly $19 billion in state unemployment benefits were paid in […]
September 06 , 2011 - Emily Makings
New Brief: The 2011-13 Budget and the Upcoming Revenue Forecast
As Kriss reported on Sunday, the September 15 revenue forecast probably won’t be pretty: “[State economist Arun] Raha indicated that a major downward adjustment to the forecast of state revenue for the 2011-13 biennium is forthcoming.” In light of that, we have a new brief today that describes some of the policy changes made in […]
August 29 , 2011 - Emily Makings
GASB Proposals for Public Pension Accounting and Reporting
Earlier this summer, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) released proposed new standards for state pension accounting and financial reporting. One of the reasons GASB has proposed these changes is the “increasing need among the users of governmental financial reports for comparable information about pensions.” The WRC looked at public pensions in a policy brief […]
August 25 , 2011 - Emily Makings
City and County Classifications in the News
If you liked our policy brief on local initiatives and referenda, you may be interested in a few stories today from around the state regarding city and county classifications. A locality’s classification is the starting point in determining whether its residents have initiative and referendum powers. First, in a blog post in the Kitsap Caucus, […]
August 23 , 2011 - Emily Makings
WA has Highest Workers' Comp Benefits per Covered Worker
Last week the National Academy of Social Insurance released its report on workers’ compensation for the year 2009. Based on the state-specific data in the report, 2009 benefits paid per covered worker in Washington were the highest in the nation at $857.32. The state with the second highest benefits per covered worker was West Virginia […]