Center for Government Reform
 |
Launched in 2007, the Center for Government Reform’s mission is to partner with stakeholders and citizens to work toward a government focused on its core functions while improving its transparency, accountability, performance, and effectiveness for taxpayers. The Center's objectives include using the power and principles of the free market to change and improve the culture of government, focus government spending and programs on its core functions, adopt structural budget reforms, ensure taxpayers dollars are spent efficiently and effectively, adopt government transparency reforms and ensure government remains open and accountable to the citizens it serves. |
Subscribe to WPC's Center for Government Reform Email List
-
What's New
-
Center for Government Reform Update
-
About the Center
-
Events
Government Reform Publications | Government Reform Blog
Ghost Bills and Mystery Hearings Mark 2010 Session, Creating Lack of Public Process
March 16, 2010
Since 2003 WashingtonVotes.org has provided concise, plain-English, descriptions of every bill, amendment and vote in the Washington legislature. Through our service, thousands of Washingtonians follow the day-to-day activities of their elected officials in Olympia and are being empowered to participate in the legislative process. Unfortunately for civic-minded citizens, the task of providing this service has proven to be more difficult this year than in the past. Why? Because public transparency in the legislative process has broken down . . .
A bad example of legislative 'transparency'
March 15, 2010
Olympian
In the waning days of the regular legislative session, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, a Democrat from Spokane, claimed the Legislature is much more transparent than it was when she entered the Legislature. Brown is wrong . . .
Public input? Who cares?
The Daily Herald (Everett)
“The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies that serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may maintain control over the instruments that they have created.”...
Voter-Approved Taxpayer Protections Repealed, Again
February 26, 2010
The 2010 Legislative Session is scheduled to come to a close on March 11. Rumors of a special session, however, are starting to be heard in the halls of the capitol. Facilitating the consideration of numerous tax proposals now being debated is the decision to repeal for 2-years most of Initiative 960 . . .
Time to Adopt Better System for Funding Higher Education
February 26, 2010
A few weeks ago, nearly 400 students rallied at the state capital to support Washington’s higher education institutions. With a passionate campaign to end any further budget cuts and to protect financial aid for lower-income families, the students made their point clear: it is time to restructure the funding of our colleges and universities ...
WPC to Publish I-960 Voters' Pamphlet
February 19, 2010
In the wake of a bill on its way to Governor Gregoire implementing a two-year repeal of Initiative 960, Washington Policy Center today announced it will publish the public disclosure information that would have appeared in the voters’ pamphlet if Initiative 960 had remained in place ...
Jason Mercier comments on proposal to raise sales tax by 1%
February 12, 2010
Jason Mercier is interviewed by KOMO 4's Keith Eldridge on the potential damage a tax hike would have on the Washington state economy.
Read the WPC press release from January 11, 2010 warning about cost of tax hikes:
Tax Increases Will Cost Even More Washingtonians Their Jobs
Tax increases will cost more Washingtonians their jobs
January 11, 2010
Today Washington Policy Center (WPC) is running a full-page ad in The Olympian warning lawmakers about the impact of tax increases. The ad uses information from Washington Research Council’s new study, “The Economic Impact of Hiking Taxes to Close the Budget Gap.” “As legislators wrestle with the state budget shortfall, it’s important that they recognize the effects of tax hikes on job preservation and creation,” says Dr. Kriss Sjoblom, VP for Research and Economist with the Washington Research Council. According to the study, increasing the state Business and Occupation tax (B&O) by $1 billion would eliminate up to 15,072 jobs. A $2.6 billion B&O tax increase would cost 38,968 Washingtonian’s their jobs ...
Olympian joins the Seattle Post-Intelligencer in endorsing WPC's recommendation for searchable tax website
An October 2, 2008 editorial from the Olympian endorses WPC's recommendation for the state to create a searchable tax website where Washington residents can easily search to see all the taxes they are subject to and their total tax burden. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer endorsed the idea on August 18, 2008.
Learn more about WPC's recommendation for a tax transparency website here
Below are the recent updates from WPC’s new blog Olympia Policy Watch, a blog focusing on government reform and fiscal news coming out of the state capitol in Olympia. To receive these updates as they are posted, sign up for the blog’s RSS feed here.
Monday, February 22
Constitutional Sunshine
With National Sunshine Week (March 14-20) less than a month away, it's not too early to think about the reforms needed to make the legislative process more transparent. Whether it's the failure to implement a reasonable budget review period, holding hearings on "ghost bills," or carving out a special legislative exemption from the state's public records act, it is clear that constitutional transparency protections are needed for citizens. The Catch-22 of course, any constitutional reform must originate in the Legis lature. Despite this obstacle, here are some suggested constitutional transparency protections to help make Washington the legislative sunshine state . . . READ MORE
Friday, February 19
Senators propose car insurance surcharge
Senators Hargrove and Regala introduced today SB 6871 - Supporting judicial branch and criminal justice funding. The bill would increase fees on car insurance by $1 every six months per vehicle to fight auto theft. According to the bill . . . READ MORE
Washington Policy Center to Publish Initiative 960 Voters’ Pamphlet
In the wake of a bill on its way to Governor Gregoire implementing a two-year repeal of Initiative 960, Washington Policy Center today announced it will publish the public disclosure information that would have appeared in the voters pamphlet if Initiative 960 had remained in place . . . READ MORE
OFM projects sales tax increase would last through 2015
The Office of Financial Management released today the required I-960 fiscal impact statement for the proposed sales tax increase in HB 3183. HB 3183 would increase the state's sales tax rate from 6.5% to 7.5%, a 15.4% increase. The rate would drop back to 6.5% once the state's unemployment rate hit 5% for four consecutive months. The state's current unemployment rate is 9.5% According to OFM the sales tax increase is projected to be in effect through 2015.
Thursday, February 18
Bill introduced to eliminate state printer
SB 6867 - Eliminating the state printer was introduced this morning by Senator Tom. According to the bill: "The legislature finds that technological changes have decreased the need for a central state printer. Information to citizens is increasingly being provided in electronic formats, which is both cost-effective and saves natural resources. Additionally, as printing technologies have changed, they have become within the reach of most agencies to conduct their own printing. The legislat ure also finds that printing is not a core state service and would be better handled within the private sector. To that end, the legislature is eliminating the state printer." The bill has been referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Wednesday, February 17
Will Governor veto tax transparency suspension?
Late this evening the House adopted its version of SB 6130, repealing for 2-years the 2/3 vote requirement for tax increases and some of the transparency provisions of Initiative 960 enacted by the voters in 2007. The vote in the House was 51-47. Since the House made changes to the bill (added back email notification of tax increases) it now goes back to the Senate for approval and then to the Governor for signature. The repeal of the 2/3 vote requirement will clear the way for tax increases. Today the Governor proposed $605 million in tax increases. Though the Governor plans to sign the 2-year repeal of the 2/3 vote requirement for tax increases she has not indicated whether she supports the Legislature's plan for a 2-year repeal of non-binding advisory votes for tax increases enacted with a referendum denying emergency clause . . . READ MORE
Friday, February 12
100 percent increase in state death tax proposed
The legislative tax floodgates have opened. Today Representatives Chase, Williams, Hunt, Dickerson, Flannigan, and Moeller introduced a bill that would increase the state's death tax by 100%. HB 3184 would raise the top state death tax rate from 19% to 38%. The tax rate in the lower brackets would also be increased by 100% Last year WPC's Carl Gipson (Small Business Center Director) highlighted how repeal of the state's death tax would help grow the economy and lead to job creation.
Budget deficit grows to $2.8 billion
The state's budget outlook worsened today with news that the revenue forecast is being downgraded by $118 million. Combined with a $96 million increase in caseloads, the state's new budget deficit is projected to be $2.8 billion. Despite a forecasted 12% increase in revenue for the next budget (2011-13), a multi-billion dollar deficit is projected for the next biennium. This is illustrated by the state's 4-year budget outlook (yet to be updated). Consumer confidence is the key to economic recovery. Should consumer confidence fail to improve the state is at risk of a double dip recession. According to the forecast . . .
Thursday, February 11
Sales tax increase introduced
With the Senate approving a 2-year repeal of I-960 (Taxpayer Protection Act) the House is gearing up for tax increase votes. Today Representatives Flannigan, Ericks, Pettigrew, Ormsby, Eddy, Chase, Appleton, Quall, Hunt, Sells, Nelson, Dickerson, Pedersen, Clibborn, Moeller introduced a bill to increase the state's sales tax by 1% . . . READ MORE
Wednesday, February 10
Senate votes for full suspension of I-960
At 11:10 this evening the Senate voted to suspend all of I-960's taxpayer protections, not just the 2/3 vote requirement suspension adopted just yesterday. The vote for full suspension of I-960 was 26 to 22. This evening's vote occurred because Senate Democrats said the bill adopted yesterday to only suspend the 2/3 vote requirement was done in error . . . READ MORE
Democrats concerned about the "Spirit of I-960"
A spokesperson for the Senate Democrat caucus made an interesting comment today on why the Democrats are seeking suspension of the requirement for non-binding advisory votes for tax increases not first approved by voters . . . READ MORE
Legislative transparency takes a beating
The Legislature's commitment to transparency is taking a serious beating. Consider the handling of these bills . . . READ MORE
Tuesday, February 9
Senate votes to retain tax advisory votes
The Senate has voted to "temporarily" suspend the 2/3 vote requirements for tax increases enacted multiple times by voters. The vote was 26 to 23. Instead of approving the bill as referred by the Senate Ways and Means Committee, the full Senate adopted an amendment that limited its changes to only the 2/3 vote restriction. This means the current requirement for non-binding advisory votes for tax increases not sent first to the voters for approval would remain in effect. Based on the number of tax increase proposals being considered by the Legislature, it could be a long ballot for voters in November. Next up for the proposal is debate in the House.
Senate moves step closer to tax increases
Washingtonians are a step closer to seeing their taxes increased as a result of a vote yesterday in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The Committee adopted the proposed suspension of the state's 2/3 requirement for tax increases. Voting in favor of the suspension were Senators . . . READ MORE
Thursday, February 4
Audit: School districts owe state $699,000
The State Auditor's Office released two audits this morning on K-12 school districts' compliance with state law. The audits found that school districts owe the state at least $699,219 due to reporting errors that resulted in overpayments. Reporting errors also resulted in just under $118,000 in underpayments to school districts. The state also overpaid an additional $463,000 to school districts for the Learning Assistance Program (LAP) in 2008. According to the State Auditor . . . READ MORE
Wednesday, February 3
Bill introduced to amend I-960
Nine Democratic Senators (Prentice, Murray, Kohl-Welles, Regala, Fairley, Ranker, McDermott, Kline, Keiser) introduced a bill today to amend the provisions of the voter approved I-960. Here are the details on SB 6843 . . . READ MORE
Tuesday, February 2
Should tax increases require a 2/3 vote?
The worst kept secret of the 2010 Legislative Session is the majority party's plan to "suspend" the state's 2/3 vote requirement for tax increases. If they follow through with this decision, this would be the third time voter approved tax restrictions have been "temporarily" set aside by lawmakers. Previous suspensions occurred in 2002 and 2005. This disregard for the voter's intent is despite the fact on three separate occasions citizens have voiced their support for requiring lawmakers to reach a broad consensus and secure a 2/3 vote to raise taxes. Votes in support of the 2/3 restriction occurred in 1993, 1999, and 2007 . . . READ MORE
The Center for Government Reform
Launched in 2007, The Center for Government Reform mission is to partner with stakeholders and citizens to work toward a government focused on its core functions while improving its transparency, accountability, performance, and effectiveness for taxpayers. The Center's objectives include using the power and principles of the free market to change and improve the culture of government, focus government spending and programs on its core functions, adopting structural budget reforms, ensuring taxpayers dollars are spent efficiently and effectively, adopting government transparency reforms and ensuring government remains open and accountable to the citizens it serves.
Director Jason Mercier
Jason Mercier is the Director of the Center for Government Reform. He serves on the Executive Committee of the American Legislative Exchange Council's Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force and is a contributing editor of the Heartland Institute's Budget & Tax News. Jason is also a columnist for Seattle PostGlobe.org and serves as Treasurer on the board of the Washington Coalition for Open Government and was an advisor to the 2002 Washington State Tax Structure Committee. He received a B.A. in Political Science from Washington State University.
Contact Information
For questions or for more information from the Center for Government Reform please e-mail jmercier@washingtonpolicy.org.
Past events:
On April 15, tax day, state and national policy experts gathered in Seattle for WPC's Government Reform conference. Two interactive panels discussed budget and tax policy reform issues, as well as budget accountability, performance, and the role of government. |
 |
The conference was very well attended including individuals from at least 26 states. It drew a wide variety of attendees including state legislators, agency and legislative staff, business owners, citizens and media. Former U.S. Comptroller David Walker (pictured right) delivered the lunch keynote address to a packed room. He highlighted the looming fiscal crisis caused by government overspending and entitlement programs and record-low levels of savings amongst citizens. |
|
Panel 1: Budget and tax reform - TVW
- Donna Arduin - Former budget director for Florida Governor Jeb Bush and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger - Topic: Rich states, poor states
>Video
- Chris Atkins - Senior Fiscal Policy Adviser, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels - Topic: Property tax reform
>Video
- Jonathan Williams - Director of the Tax & Fiscal Policy Task Force for the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) - Topic: Budget and tax transparency
>Video
Panel 2: Budget accountability/performance and the role of government
- Hon. Brian Sonntag - Washington State Auditor - Topic: Performance audits
>Video
- Larisa Benson - Director of Washington State Government Management Accountability and Performance (GMAP) - Topic: Performance management
>Video
- Sheila Weinberg - Founder & CEO of Institute for Truth in Accounting - Topic: Requiring accurate budget information
>Video
Keynote Lunch Address - TVW
Additional media coverage of the conference is available here.
