The Way We’re Taxed: A Brief History
Here’s a link to the WRC’s new policy brief: The Way We’re Taxed: Brief History.
May 24 , 2012 - Emily Makings
New Brief: Increasing the 2011-13 Capital Budget
When considering the state budget, we tend to focus on the operating budget. Shifting gears, in a new policy brief, we discuss the 2012 supplemental capital budget. Unlike the operating supplemental, which reduced spending, the capital supplemental (enacted in April) increased spending by over $1 billion. About half of the increase is funded with general […]
May 22 , 2012 - Kriss Sjoblom
Increased Federal Tax on Sales of Partnerships Will Cost Washington Jobs and Income
Recent federal proposals would apply ordinary income tax rates rather than capital gains rates to gains from sales of investment service partnership interests. According to our analysis, this change could reduce annual personal income in Washington state by almost $300 million. Our Policy Brief on the subject is available here.
May 14 , 2012 - Emily Makings
New Brief: Balancing the Operating Budget
At the end of the first special session, the legislature passed SSB 6636. Beginning in 2013-15, the legislature will be required to enact operating budgets that are balanced over four years. Right now, the governor must propose a balanced budget, but there is no requirement for the legislature to actually pass one. Additionally, the Economic […]
May 11 , 2012 - Emily Makings
New Brief: A Small Step for Public Pension Reform
During the budget negotiations, reforms to public employee pensions was a sticking point. In the end, the legislature adopted changes to the assumed rate of return on pension investments and reduced subsidized early retirement for new employees (hired on or after May 1, 2013). Current employees may retire early (before age 65), but their pensions […]
May 04 , 2012 - Emily Makings
New Brief: Changes to Public School Employee Health Insurance Coverage
During the second special session, the legislature enacted a bill that makes some changes to the purchasing system for K-12 employee health benefits. The current system had been the subject of a February 2011 report by the state auditor, which suggested that the system be streamlined, standardized, and even consolidated. The new bill doesn’t go […]
April 26 , 2012 - Emily Makings
New Brief: Repealing I-728, Grading Teachers, and Other 2012 Education Reforms
The legislature passed several education reform bills this year, which we consider in this policy brief. Significantly, as part of the budget compromise, legislators finally repealed I-728. By doing so, they helped clear the way for basic education funding needs. They also improved the 2013-15 fiscal situation by removing I-728 from the maintenance level. In […]
April 20 , 2012 - Emily Makings
New Brief: Legislature Closes the 2011-13 Budget Gap, At Last
Our overview of the 2012 supplemental passed by the legislature last week is here. Future briefs will focus on the reforms that were passed as part of the compromise, and readers should keep in mind that the governor will not act on the budget bill until May 2 (so the numbers are still in flux). […]
March 08 , 2012 - Emily Makings
New Brief: Comparing House and Senate Supplemental Budgets
Our policy brief on the House- and Senate-passed 2012 supplemental budgets is available here.
February 24 , 2012 - Emily Makings
New Brief: House Ways & Means Chair's Proposed 2012 Supplemental
On Tuesday, Rep. Hunter released his proposed 2012 supplemental budget. Our brief on the proposal is available here.