Richard S. Davis

Washington gets high marks for quality of education finance reporting

The Cata Institute gives Washington a ‘B’ in its new “Cracking the Books” study. They’re not grading on the curve, because that B ranks Washington third among the 50 states, just behind New Mexico and South Dakota. Cato says inadequate financial reporting leads most members of the public to significantly underestimate the “true cost of […]

With membership at historic lows, unions turn to new organizing strategies

In my column today, I comment on how the union movement seeks to address its shrinking membership rolls. AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka said in March, “To be blunt, our basic system of workplace representation is … failing miserably…” To stem the decline, he proposes “to open membership to anyone who wants to join and build […]

Little support shown for $15 minimum wage hike

SeaTac’s Prop. 1 remains in limbo, but the minimum wage debate continues. AWB president Don Brunell uses his column today to explain why the $15 minimum wage proposal is deeply flawed. I urge you to read the whole column. Here’s a sample. Washington is already a high-cost state for employers, with the nation’s highest workers’ […]

Judge rules SeaTac minimum wage initiative falls short on signatures, orders city to withdraw Prop. 1 from ballot

Add SeaTac’s controversial Proposition 1, a so-called “living wage” initiative, to the measures that won’t be appearing on local ballots in November. At least, that’s how it looks now. Things can change. The order came down yesterday, from King County Superior Court Judge Andrea Darvas. The issue came down to what to do with signatures […]

Spokane won't vote on two local initiatives curbing business speech and erecting regulatory hurdles

We’ve paid a lot of attention to SeaTac’s Prop. 1, establishing a $15 minimum wage and paid sick leave for some workers. Our special report on the measure is here. Less noticed on the west side of the state has been the efforts of a couple of groups in Spokane to establish a community bill […]

Charter school lawsuit by WEA and others does disservice to students

My column yesterday called the lawsuit filed by the WEA, WASA a last-gasp effort, another instance of losers litigating after being defeated at the polls. I look at some recent data giving high marks to charter school performance across the country and a positive evaluation of Washington’s Charter School Law, adopted as Initiative 1240. I […]

Budget stalemate is one consequence of the disappearing center in state politics

That's one of the takeaways from my column today. Please take a look at it and share your thoughts in the comments. 

Research Council's 81st Annual Meeting celebrated June 4, broadcast on TVW

Thanks to all who contributed to making our 81st Annual Meeting a great success.The event featured TVW president Greg Lane interviewing Bill Bishop, the author of the Big Sort. The program, including my remarks and those of our newly-elected board chair, Steve Mullin, president of the Washington Roundtable, are available below as broadcast on TVW.

I-5 bridge collapse should rekindle commitment to improving transportation infrastructure

Yesterday’s bridge collapse calls our attention again to the state’s transportation infrastructure – roads, bridges, and so on. Seattle Times editorial writer provides some good detail, links and commentary. It looks like the state transportation budget won’t be further stressed. We can appreciate the relatively light impact of the I-5 bridge collapse while also asking pertinent […]

WRC discusses state budget on TVW's Inside Olympia

I join Remy Trupin, executive director of the Washington State Budget and Policy Center, to discuss the budget end game with Inside Olympia host Austin Jenkins. It was a lively half hour. Hope you enjoy it.