Review of 2013-15 Operating Budget

Now that we've had time to review and digest the state's new 2013-15 budget, how did lawmakers do? As with all budgets there are good and bad items included, though the biggest policy success was that lawmakers allowed the 2010 “temporary” tax increases to remain temporary and to expire as promised on July 1st. The enacted budget also includes revenue and spending projections that balance in compliance with the state’s new four-year balanced budget requirement . . . READ MORE

I-517: What is a public building for purposes of signature gathering?

Among the provisions of Initiative 517 is the requirement to allow signature gathering “inside or outside public buildings such as public sports stadiums, convention/exhibition centers, and public fairs.” Public buildings, however, is not defined by the measure. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, Department of Enterprise Services, and the Attorney General’s Office there is currently no standard rule for signature gathering on public property though most public entities provide some opportunity for signature gathering with certain restrictions . . . READ MORE

Farmer for a Day

What do you get when you add more than a dozen lawmakers, beautiful weather, an irrigated desert, policy wonks and the efforts of the Franklin County Farm Bureau, Washington State Potato Commission and Washington State Farm Bureau? A successful "Farmer for a Day" program in Pasco . . . READ MORE

American Legislative Exchange Council considers Washington’s new tax preference transparency law

This year we worked with Washington lawmakers on language that eventually was included in SB 5843: Strengthening the review of the legislature's goals for tax preferences. That proposal eventually became SB 5882 during the 2nd Special Session and was signed into law by Gov. Inslee after overwhelming approval by lawmakers. Among the bill’s provisions is a requirement for the legislature to identify explicit legislative intent and expected performance outcomes for tax preferences. With one of Washington Policy Center’s priorities being to help government official improve the transparency and accountability of the legislative process and budget, we thought this would be a good idea to share with lawmakers across the country . . . READ MORE