Washington Research Council

Mary Strow

July 15 , 2015 - Mary Strow

90 Seconds with the WRC: It's a Wrap!


July 14 , 2015 - Mary Strow

InFocus: Bump in state revenue collections, HS biology test controversy explained


July 14 , 2015 - Mary Strow

Policy Today: New state transportation package


July 10 , 2015 - Mary Strow

Washington #5 in state/local sales tax

The Tax Foundation is out with its midyear report on sales tax rates, and Washington ranks fifth in the nation for our combined state and average local sales tax rate of 8.90%. Ahead of us are #1-ranked Tennessee at 9.46%, #2 Arkansas at 9.27%, #3 Louisiana at 9.01% and #4 Alabama at 8.93%. For more information, see the […]


July 08 , 2015 - Mary Strow

InFocus: State annual average wage, national employment, transportation reforms


July 08 , 2015 - Mary Strow

Policy Today: New state budget details


July 07 , 2015 - Mary Strow

New transportation reforms become law

We’re still waiting on some elements of the new transportation funding package to clear the Legislature (the transportation revenue bill has passed; the spending bill with the project list and the bonding bill have not). In the meantime, Gov. Inslee yesterday signed some important bipartisan reform bills that should help reduce costs and speed up […]


July 06 , 2015 - Mary Strow

Early Start Act signed by governor

This afternoon in Olympia, Gov. Jay Inslee signed the Early Start Act (Second Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1491) into law. In a nutshell, it sets quality standards and outcomes for early education, provides support for educators, and expands access to early learning programs. The 2015-17 state operating budget allocates $159 million for early learning […]


July 02 , 2015 - Mary Strow

Washington's #1!

…in spirits taxes, that is. The Tax Foundation today issued its much-awaited ranking of state distilled spirits excise taxes. Washington easily leads the pack with a rate of $35.22 per gallon (Oregon’s a distant second at $22.72 per gallon). Read more here.  


July 02 , 2015 - Mary Strow

90 Seconds: No shutdown, but session's not over yet