Blog

New brief: The Best Interests of Washington's Workers' Compensation System

Washington continues to have the nation’s highest workers’ compensation benefits, which are accompanied by high costs. In a new policy brief, we look at the factors that make Washington’s system unusual, explain why the Oregon premium rate ranking study is a flawed measure of Washington’s costs, describe the cost drivers of the system, and consider […]

New brief: High Stakes for Washington in Competition for 777X

In a new policy brief, we write about the tax preference and spending package the Legislature passed earlier this month as part of the effort to secure manufacture of Boeing’s 777X for Washington. Read it here.

New Brief: I-517: Infringing Property Rights and Enshrining a New Protected Class

Initiative 517, on the ballot this fall, would broadly expand the places in which a campaign may gather signatures, including on private property without owners’ consent; elevate interference of signature gathering above other types of harassment, putting signature gatherers and signers above everyone else; require every initiative with sufficient signatures to go to the ballot, […]

New special report: Economic Impact of Data Centers on Central Washington

Our latest report is on the Economic Impact of Data Centers on Central Washington. Briefly, World class industries have located in Central Washington, providing stable, diversified employment and expanded tax bases for local governments. The data center industry is among the notable additions to Central Washington’s resurgent economy. Data centers have benefitted Central Washington in […]

Special Report: Initiative 522: Costly, Flawed and Ill-Conceived

This fall Washington residents will vote on Initiative 522, which would require foods offered for retail sale in the state to be labeled if they are genetically engineered. In a special report, we assess the economic impact of I-522 on Washington’s consumers, taxpayers and Washington’s agricultural economy. Here is the executive summary, and here is […]

New Policy Brief: Expanded Commodity Exports Will Create Jobs, Increase Investment

We have just released the final report in our four-part “trade and transportation” series. The report summary: Growth in trade of all kinds—intermodal, break bulk, liquid bulk, dry bulk—in the coming decades will increase demands on the state’s privately owned and operated freight rail system. The addition of new bulk terminals for coal and other […]

New policy brief: Washington Cargo Rides the Rails

We have posted a new policy brief titled Washington Cargo Rides the Rails. This is the third part of our Trade and Transportation series. The brief can be downloaded through this link.

New policy brief: Export Activity Boosts Washington’s Economy

We have posted a new policy brief titled Export Activity Boosts Washington’s Economy. The brief can be downloaded through this link. This is the second brief in our series Trade and Transportation.

Special report: Proposition 1 and the "Living Wage Movement" in SeaTac: Increasing Unemployment, Decreasing Opportunity

A proposal on the November ballot in SeaTac would establish a $15 minimum wage and paid sick leave benefits, and impose restrictions on employers’ labor practices. In a new special report, we consider the economic effects of Proposition 1. Our five main findings are: Approximately 5 percent of low wage jobs will be lost. Another […]

New brief: Trade-Dependent Washington Relies on Rail

In a new policy brief, Trade-Dependent Washington Relies on Rail, we take a look at the rail system in Washington, including funding sources and traffic estimates. As we conclude, Our state’s ability to maintain its nation-leading position as a hub for domestic and international trade depends on speedy, safe, and reliable transportation connections. Privately-owned freight […]