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.
August 16 , 2013 - Emily Makings
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 […]
August 15 , 2013 - Emily Makings
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 […]
July 12 , 2013 - Emily Makings
New Brief: 2013-15 Operating Budget Mostly Avoids New Taxes, Prioritizes Education
In a new policy brief, we take a detailed look at the enacted 2013-15 state operating budget. Appropriations are about $2 billion higher than in 2011-13, as are total resources. The budget leaves $630 million in reserves.
May 03 , 2013 - Emily Makings
New Brief: Assumptions Gap Divides Legislative Budget Proposals
In a new policy brief, we take a look at the shaky assumptions made in the House and Senate 2013-15 operating budget proposals. Assumptions are made in revenue and spending levels that may not come to pass. We also discuss transfers from the capital budget and ending reserves.
April 22 , 2013 - Kriss Sjoblom
New policy brief: House Finance Committee Considers Tax Increases
Our new policy brief on the House finance committee chair’s tax proposal can be downloaded here.
April 17 , 2013 - Emily Makings
New Brief: House Would Tax and Spend Over $1 Billion More than Senate in 2013-15
In a new policy brief, we describe the House-passed 2013-15 operating budget and compare it to the budget passed by the Senate. Overall, the House budget spends more, taxes more, and leaves less in reserves than the Senate. But both make significant appropriations for education.
April 05 , 2013 - Emily Makings
New Brief: Increasing Education Spending in 2013-15: New Taxes or Re-Prioritization?
In a new policy brief, we compare Gov. Inslee’s “budget priorities for a working Washington” to the 2013-15 budget proposal from the Senate Ways and Means Committee chair.
March 29 , 2013 - Kriss Sjoblom
New policy brief: Revenue and Caseload Forecasts Set the Stage for Budget Writers
We have posted a new policy brief, Revenue and Caseload Forecasts Set the Stage for Budget Writers, which can be downloaded through this link.
February 20 , 2013 - Emily Makings
New Brief: More Reforms for Workers' Compensation
On February 4, the state Senate passed three workers’ comp bills. In a new brief today, we take a look at those bills and discuss why reforms are needed, even after the changes made in 2011.