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Aerospace tax incentives could help lure startup to Seattle

The Puget Sound Business Journal reported earlier this week on some new business that may be coming Washington state's way: Spike Aerospace, a Boston startup developing an ambitious new supersonic business jet, is talking with Washington state officials and aerospace suppliers about possibly locating its new manufacturing plant in Seattle. The company's CEO, Vik Kachoria, […]

Previewing tomorrow's McCleary hearing

Tomorrow the state Supreme Court will hear arguments in the McCleary case, after which it will decide whether to continue sanctions on the Legislature. The News Tribune has a preview of what could happen. The attorney general has argued that the Court should lift contempt and cancel sanctions. Superintendent Randy Dorn thinks the Court should […]

The property tax has a long history (and plays a key role the McCleary case)

In Washington, schools are funded mainly by the property tax (levied at the state and local level). In the McCleary case on school funding, the state Supreme Court said that local levies are not dependable and regular enough to be used for basic education.  So I thought the Atlantic's quick post on the history of the […]

How to fund Seattle's Office of Labor Standards?

For the last several months a discussion has been ongoing in Seattle about how to increase funding for the Office of Labor Standards (OLS). The OLS was established in 2015 to enforce standards related to city ordinances like the minimum wage and paid sick leave. An April 1 staff memo to the Seattle City Council’s […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

InFocus Podcast: Bad news for I-1366, plus a new state employment report

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 […]