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Supreme Court's reasoning on I-1366 illustrates its complexity

In September, the state Supreme Court allowed Initiative 1366 to be on the ballot (it's currently leading 51.79 percent to 48.21 percent). Today the Court released its reasoning. It argues that, because of the two stated options in the initiative (sales tax cut or two-thirds majority constitutional amendment), the true purpose of the initiative is unclear. A King […]

What's next for I-1366?

The latest returns have Initiative 1366 leading by 53.13 percent to 46.87 percent. But even if that lead holds, the measure will be challenged in court. I-1366 would reduce the state sales tax from 6.5 percent to 5.5 percent on April 15, 2016 — unless the state Legislature refers a constitutional amendment to voters requiring a two-thirds […]

Policy Today podcast, Common Ground edition: State Rep. Chad Magendanz

House committee explores K-12 financing

Yesterday in Olympia the House Finance Committee looked at how public schools are funded, here in Washington and nationwide. Committee staff prepared in-depth reports with lots of information (the Research Council in 2013 published a report on on K-12 financing, comparing Washington’s funding to other states’. You can read that here). Some highlights: Washington differs […]

Monthly employment report shows construction flat since January

The state Employment Security Department issued its employment report for September yesterday. The preliminary estimate is that seasonally-adjusted employment in Washington decreased by 2,200 from August to September. The estimate of July to August job growth was revised up to a gain of 5,200 jobs from the gain of  1,600 jobs previously announced. The preliminary estimate of June’s […]

September 11 to October 10 state revenue collections were $27.9 million greater than forecasted

The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council issued its monthly Economic and Revenue Update this morning. Here are the key bullets on revenue from the summary: Major General Fund-State revenue collections for the September 11 – October 10, 2015 collection period came in $27.9 million (2.2%) above the September forecast. During the period there was a […]

School construction in Yakima, and a reminder about class size requirements

I was in my hometown of Yakima last month, and for the first time in several visits, I happened to drive by Eisenhower High School. The transformation of the campus from what it had been while I was growing up was astounding. I wondered how much the new school and fields had cost. Almost on […]

Policy Today: The elusive silver bullet of tax policy

WA's unfunded paid family leave program gets a federal grant — for a feasibility study

Today the U.S. Department of Labor announced that it has awarded $1.55 million in grants to eight states to study paid family leave implementation. Washington is one of those eight states; it will receive $247,000 “to study the feasibility and impacts of the Washington Family Leave Insurance Act of 2007 that remains unimplemented.” Gov. Inslee’s […]

AG asks Court to reconsider charter schools decision, makes a key point about initiative funding

Yesterday Attorney General Bob Ferguson asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision that charter schools are unconstitutional. His motion states, Ultimately, the State urges the Court to reconsider its decision to set aside the entirety of Initiative 1240, as adopted by the people. But even if the Court rejects that request, it should narrow […]