Happy days are here again, forecast of state revenues increased
At its quarterly meeting today, the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC) updated its forecast of state revenues. This new forecast adds nearly $3.3 billion to the amount available over the remainder of the current biennium and the next biennium. In recent years, budget reports from legislative fiscal committees have typically rolled up three […]
February 23 , 2021 - Kriss Sjoblom
Capital gains bill advances
In January, Emily wrote about the capital gains tax included in Gov. Inslee’s budget proposal and introduced as SB 5096. On February 16, the Senate Ways and Means Committee passed substitute version of the bill, SSB 5096.As passed by the committee, the tax rate is 7%, down from 9% in Gov. Inslee’s proposal. In the […]
February 05 , 2021 - Kriss Sjoblom
A wealth tax for all?
A bill has been introduced in the state house of representatives that would impose a 1 percent wealth tax on financial assets held by the state’s wealthiest residents. This bill, house bill 1406, received a hearing before the house finance committee on Tuesday. The text of the bill is here. The fiscal note for the […]
October 15 , 2020 - Emily Makings
Good news for state and local transportation budgets: state Supreme Court finds I-976 unconstitutional
Today the state Supreme Court held that Initiative 976 is unconstitutional because it “contains more than one subject, and its subject is not accurately expressed in its title.” I-976 was approved by voters last year. It would have limited vehicle license fees to $30, revoked the authority of transportation benefit districts to impose vehicle fees, […]
May 22 , 2020 - Kriss Sjoblom
More on unemployment insurance imposter fraud
The Seattle Times has a front page article today on the rash of fraudulent claims that has plagued the state Employment Security Department in recent weeks: Washington state officials have acknowledged the loss of “hundreds of millions of dollars” to an international fraud scheme that hammered the state’s unemployment insurance system and could mean even […]
October 25 , 2017 - Mary Strow
Lew Moore Stepping Down as President and CEO of Research Council
Lew Moore announced today that he will be stepping down as president of the Washington Research Council sometime after the first of the year. He has led the organization, which specializes in government policy research and analysis, for the last three years. Moore intends to pursue business and policy interests in Utah, where he currently […]
May 25 , 2017 - Mary Strow
Video of our Annual Dinner speaker
If you missed our Annual Dinner in Bellevue May 23, you can watch it on TVW here. Our guest speaker, Ian Toner, gave a fascinating talk about the massive changes happening in our political system, the job market and workforce, and the economy — both here and across the world.
May 18 , 2017 - Mary Strow
March 23 , 2017 - Mary Strow
February 10 , 2017 - Mary Strow
New report says Washington leads the nation in evidence-based policymaking
The Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative, a joint effort of the Pew Charitable Trusts and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, recently named Washington state a leader in evidence-based policymaking. In a report issued just last month, the Results First Initiative singled out Washington (with Utah, Minnesota, Connecticut and Oregon rounding out the top […]