New report: The Long-Lasting, Negative Consequences of the Minimum Wage
We have a new report today: The Long-Lasting, Negative Consequences of the Minimum Wage. Briefly: High labor costs hurt a state’s economic competitiveness. In Washington, these costs include the nation’s highest minimum wage. Unlike the federal minimum wage, Washington’s is indexed to inflation and has no tip credit. HB 1355 would increase Washington’s minimum wage […]
February 09 , 2015 - Kriss Sjoblom
New policy brief: Gov. Inslee's Capital Gains Tax Proposal
Our new brief on Governor Inslee’s Capital Gains Tax Proposal is available through this link.
January 26 , 2015 - Emily Makings
New brief: Higher Education Policy and the State Budget
We have a new policy brief today on Washington’s higher education system.
January 22 , 2015 - Emily Makings
New brief: Governor Inslee’s 2015–17 Operating Budget Proposal
Today we’ve published a policy brief on Gov. Inslee’s 2015-17 operating budget proposal. It would increase spending by $5.2 billion. It would also increase revenues over amounts already forecast by $1.6 billion.
December 26 , 2014 - Kriss Sjoblom
New WRC report: The Economic Contribution of Washington State's Petroleum Refining Industry in 2013
Here is a link to our new report quantifying the impact of Washington’s five major petroleum refiners on the state’s economy in 2013.
September 08 , 2014 - Emily Makings
New Brief: Washington's Business Taxes Continue to Exceed National Average
In a new brief, we look at this year’s Council on State Taxation report, which summarizes state and local business tax collections in 2013. Washington continues to impose above average business taxes.
August 19 , 2014 - Emily Makings
New Brief: 2015–17 Budget Preview: McCleary Not the Only Cloud on the Budget Horizon
In a new policy brief, we preview the upcoming 2015–17 state budget. It is based on a budget outlook presentation from the Office of Financial Management. The upshot is that even before considering new education funding under the state Supreme Court’s McCleary decision, legislators face a significant budget challenge. If voters approve Initiative 1351 (which […]
August 13 , 2014 - Emily Makings
New Brief: Initiative 1351 Class Size Reduction: A $4.7 Billion Unfunded Mandate with Dubious Educational Merit
In a new policy brief, we look at Initiative 1351, which will be on the ballot in November. I-1351 would reduce class sizes for kindergarten through 12th grade. Below are a few main points about the initiative, which are fleshed out in the brief. It would increase state K–12 spending by $4.7 billion through 2019—over […]
July 15 , 2014 - Kriss Sjoblom
New Policy Brief: About That Mythical $8.7 Billion Tax Break . . .
We have posted a new policy brief regarding aerospace tax incentives: About That Mythical $8.7 Billion Tax Break . . . Briefly: A competitive tax policy is not a “subsidy” that costs the state money. It is, rather, a pragmatic response to the marketplace, including the global competition for major industrial projects. Tax policies adopted […]
June 11 , 2014 - Emily Makings
New brief: A Newly Expanded SEPA Threatens Washington's Competitiveness
As part of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), the Department of Ecology and other agencies have recently used expanded scopes of review for certain proposals. Under these scopes, the agencies are considering impacts that go beyond state borders, to an unprecedented extent. In a new policy brief, we look at what is happening, outline […]