Forbes.com contributor: "Washington Lawmakers Grandstanding Against Boeing Could Cripple State's Aerospace Industry"
Writing on Forbes.com yesterday, Travis H. Brown sets his sights on "politicians in Olympia [who] have repeatedly floated the notion of clawing back the aerospace tax incentives." Earlier this year, Representative June Robinson (D-Everett) introduced a bill that put caveats on Boeing’s ability to receive the full benefits of the 2013 tax package. The legislation (House Bill […]
May 26 , 2016 - Emily Makings
State Supreme Court: I-1366 is unconstitutional
The state Supreme Court has ruled that Initiative 1366, which was approved by voters last year, is unconstitutional. I-1366 would have reduced the state sales tax rate to 5.5 percent unless the Legislature referred a constitutional amendment to voters requiring two-thirds majority approval of tax increases. Earlier this year, a King County Superior Court judge […]
February 23 , 2016 - Emily Makings
More information on the tax increases in the Appropriations Chair's proposed budget
When I wrote yesterday about the Appropriations Chair's supplemental budget proposal, the tax increases included in the proposal had not been identified. More details are available now. The increases will be considered as HB 2996. The bill would increase revenues in 2015-17 by $119.5 million. According to the House Democrats, six tax preferences would be […]
January 28 , 2016 - Emily Makings
New brief: Gov. Inslee’s Teacher Shortage Proposal: Good Policy, Bad Timing?
When Gov. Inslee proposed his 2016 supplemental budget, he also proposed a teacher recruitment and retention plan. We take a look at it in a new policy brief: Gov. Inslee’s Teacher Shortage Proposal: Good Policy, Bad Timing? Briefly: Gov. Inslee proposes increasing salaries for teachers and other school staff. Newer teachers would get the largest […]
January 22 , 2016 - Mary Strow
January 21 , 2016 - Emily Makings
King County Superior Court judge finds I-1366 unconstitutional
A King County Superior Court judge has ruled that Initiative 1366 is unconstitutional. I-1366 was passed by voters in November. According to the judge's order, I-1366 violates article XXIII of the constitution (amendments must be proposed by the Legislature) by usurping the role of the legislature by proposing precise terms for a constitutional amendment while […]
January 12 , 2016 - Emily Makings
New report: Washington Businesses Account for 58 Percent of State and Local Tax Collections
In a new report, we look at recent publications from the Council On State Taxation and the Tax Foundation. Briefly: Nationally, business tax revenues were up 2.2 percent in 2014. Washington state’s total effective business tax rate (TEBTR) rose to 5.4 percent in 2014. State and local governments tax Washington businesses an average of $7,700 […]
December 16 , 2015 - Mary Strow
December 14 , 2015 - Mary Strow
December 10 , 2015 - Mary Strow