Blog

Supporting biotech and more with growth-oriented tax policy

H. Stewart Parker, a pioneer in Washington’s life sciences industry, writes in today’s Seattle Times that our state risks falling behind in the competition for biotech investment. Washington has a lot going for it business-wise, but we must not underestimate the competition for the life-sciences industry. The Washington state Legislature did not renew our industry tax […]

Next year's legislature must address transportation funding

In my column today, I revisit the Washington Roundtable-Boston Consulting Group report we posted on last week. According to BCG, a $7 billion investment would return $42 billion in value over 30 years. The benefits show up in reduced congestion costs, improved safety, lower vehicle operating costs, expanded port activity, and lower future repair costs. […]

Washington stays at No. 11 on Tax Foundations 2015 State Business Tax Climate Index

The Tax Foundation today releases its 2015 State Business Tax Climate Index, again finding Washington among the best, just out of the top ten at No. 11. From the group's press release for Washington. The breakdown of Washington’s ranking this year is as follows (1st is best, 50th is worst): * Washington’s overall State Business […]

Links: King County "living wage," WA cell phone taxes, and Microsoft predictions

1. Earlier this week the King County Council adopted a “living wage” for county employees and county contractors. The new requirement will be phased in to reach $15 in 2017. The Seattle Times notes that it “applies only to people working directly or indirectly for taxpayers, partly because the county has limited authority over how […]

Class size Initiative 1351: Threat to safety net and higher education, yet no organized opposition

Seattle Times columnist and editorial board member Erik Smith writes that despite its $4.7 billion price tag with no funding attached, Initiative 1351 seems to be sliding to the November ballot with no significant opposition. This is all the more surprising because, as Smith points out, when informed arguments are presented, even those most predisposed to […]

Davis column on contempt ruling: "Court finesses crisis it created"

In my column today, I examine the state Supreme Court’s decision to find the state in contempt. We blogged about the decision here. The court chose to give lawmakers one more chance before imposing “sanctions and remedies.” It was the smart, face-saving move given the circumstances. But the court never should have forced the issue. Having […]

State Supreme Court finds Legislature in contempt, defers sanctions

Yesterday’s big news was the state Supreme Court order finding the state in contempt for failing to respond adequately to the court’s McCleary decision, calling for a rapid ramp-up in state funding of basic education. (Like everyone, we’ve written a lot about this, good background here.) The judicial rebuke was expected. The question was how […]

New Brief: Washington's Business Taxes Continue to Exceed National Average

In a new brief, we look at this year’s Council on State Taxation report, which summarizes state and local business tax collections in 2013. Washington continues to impose above average business taxes.

Why repealing tax incentives will not be the answer to the school funding problem

Attacking “tax loopholes” is nothing new in Washington budget debates. It’s the perennial tax policy panacea, the painless way to raise a lot of money without imposing a general tax hike. Everybody talks about it, but rarely do the efforts gain much traction.  There’s a good reason for that. There’s no there there. Yesterday, in a […]

Various and sundry links

“Cancelling Washington R&D Incentives Will Erase Success,” by Tom Ranken and Eric Viola of the Washington Clean Technology Alliance, in Xconomy: “Before the programs, Washington tax law was punitive to R&D growth—and the job growth that goes with it.” (Here’s our policy brief on the R&D incentives: “Supporting Research and Development with Responsible Tax Policy.”) […]