Blog

New report: Senate Transportation Package Would Begin to Address State’s Significant Infrastructure Needs

We’ve published a new special report on the Senate’s transportation budget. Briefly: The Senate’s transportation package would increase spending by $13.8 billion through 2031. It would increase the state gas tax by 11.7 cents over three years, bringing in $5.6 billion through 2031. It assumes bonding authority of $3.4 billion. Of the spending, $1.3 billion […]

New special report: Carbon Taxation

We have posted a new special report on Gov. Inslee's cap and trade proposal (SHB 1314) and Carbon Washington's carbon tax initiative. The brief can be downloaded through this link.

New brief: Mandating Paid Sick Leave in Washington

We have a new policy brief today: Mandating Paid Sick Leave in Washington. Briefly: HB 1356 would require employers statewide to provide a paid sick and safe time benefit. The amount of leave would be dependent on the size of the employer. All businesses with more than four FTEs would be affected. Employees could use […]

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 […]

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.

New brief: Higher Education Policy and the State Budget

We have a new policy brief today on Washington’s higher education system.

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.

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.

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.

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 […]