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What's New
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Latest from WPC’s Blog
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WPC in the News
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Events
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Speaking Engagements
Washington Policy Center to Publish Initiative 960 Voters' Guide
On February 24th Governor Gregoire signed a bill temporarily repealing Initiative 960. Passed by voters in 2007, Initiative 960 required a two-thirds vote of the legislature to raise taxes. It also included several public information provisions. For each tax increase, the public was to receive:
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1. A description of each tax increase.
2. A ten-year estimate of how much lawmakers increased the financial burden they place on taxpayers.
3. A list showing how each lawmaker voted.
4. Each legislator’s contact information.
Under Initiative 960, this information was to appear in the voters’ pamphlet for the November 2010 election. WPC announced recently it will publish this information, which would have appeared in the voters' pamphlet if Initiative 960 had remained in place. Read the announcement online here >>
2010 Legislative Briefing
WPC research directors gave an overview of their latest research and analysis on the key issues facing Washington citizens this Session. More than 100 legislators and staff attended the event at the state capitol, which took place on January 27th.
Washington Policy Center Warns Lawmakers that Raising Taxes Will Kill Jobs
On the day the legislature convened, Washington Policy Center ran full-page ads in The Olympian and the Tri-City Herald 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."
Washington Policy Center Opens Eastern Washington Office
Becomes only policy group in WA with a truly statewide presence
Spokane – Washington Policy Center (WPC), a non-partisan public policy research organization with offices in Seattle and Olympia, has opened an office in Spokane and hired a full-time director. Chris Cargill has joined WPC’s staff as director of the office.
Chris will focus on outreach to citizens, media, and community organizations throughout Eastern Washington and engage them in the promotion of WPC’s policy research and recommendations. In addition, he will help WPC bring the unique policy concerns of Eastern Washington citizens and groups to the public debate on the west side.
Visit the Eastern Washington page here
Latest WPC Research
Innovation, Not Government, Key to Environmental Sustainability, by Todd Myers, March 2010
Governor Gregoire’s Education Bill Falls Short of Race to the Top Requirements, by Liv Finne, February 2010
State Abuse of the Medicaid Program, by Roger Stark, MD
Latest Op-Eds
Governor Makes School Principals Use "Dance of the Lemons" to Weed out Weak Teachers, by Liv Finne
Seattle is the Most Congested City in America, by Michael Ennis, March 2010
Latest WPC Press Releases
Washington Policy Center to Publish Initiative 960 Voters’ Guide
Washington Policy Center Submits Comments Opposing Net Neutrality Regulation
Washington Policy Center's 2009 Federal Health Care Reform Project
Visit our Health Care Reform page for a convenient, one-stop source for all information regarding WPC's effort to engage the health care reform debate and policy discussion. Use this page as a tool to better inform yourself, a friend, or a family member about the serious issue of health care reform. Check the site regularly for updates.
Visit the Health Care Reform page here
Latest Multimedia
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Growing free-market solutions in Eastern Washington
Subscribe to RSS Latest WPC appearances in the news
Bipartisan suspension of state Senate rules brings questions for WA Policy Center’s Mercier
Bellingham Herald, March 15
Sunshine Week shines light on lack of legislative transparency
Seattle PostGlobe, March 15
States streamline, reorganize amid fiscal crisis
USA Today, March 15
A bad example of legislative ‘transparency’
The Olympian, March 15
Roll Call
Wenatchee World, March 13
How your lawmaker voted: sine die edition
The News Tribune (Tacoma), March 12
Principals need tool to remove bad teachers
Columbia Basin Herald, March 11
Governor makes school principals use 'dance of the lemons' to weed out weak teachers
Auburn Reporter, March 11
Roll call
SnoValley Star, March 11
Nationwide education standards released: Will they help improve schools? (radio)
Dave Ross Show (KIRO), March 10
Gov. makes school principals use "dance of the lemons"
Snohomish Times, March 10
News Roundup With Ross Reynolds: If This Van Pool's Rockin' (radio)
KUOW (94.9 NPR), March 10
Bill: No per diem for lawmakers in special session
SeattlePI.com, March 10
Commentary: Is a special session necessary to balance budget, raise taxes?
Seattle PostGlobe, March 9
Gregoire says Legislature might finish on time
The Olympian, March 9
Governor makes principals use 'dance of the lemons'
The News Tribune (Tacoma), March 9
ObamaCare: What happens now?
Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal, March 9
Idaho governor says he'll woo Washington businesses turned off by tax increases
The Seattle Times, March 8
Tim Sheldon Makes No Apologies for Dual Roles
Kitsap Sun (Bremerton), March 7
Capitol Dispatch: A taxing situation, with time running out
The Daily News (Longview), March 7
Washington State Spending, Taxes – ‘Katy Bar the Door’
The Biz Coach, March 7
Roll Call
The Herald (Everett), March 6
Roll call
Wenatchee World, March 6
State lawmakers discussing potential income tax (video)
KXLY 4 (Spokane), March 5
Time to adopt better system for funding higher ed
Auburn Reporter, March 5
Paul Guppy on the state income tax proposal (radio)
David Boze Show (KTTH 770 AM), March 5
How South Sound lawmakers voted this past week
The Olympian, March 5
Legislative Roll Call Report
The Daily News (Longview), March 5
Income Tax On The Rich? (radio)
KUOW (94.9 FM), March 5
It’s time policymakers dealt with congestion
Puget Sound Business Journal, March 5
Washington Policy Center dubs state income tax hearing ’sham’
Bellingham Herald, March 5
Senate's "public" hearing on income tax questioned
Seattle PostGlobe, March 5
For Third Time, Washington State Lawmakers Reject Voters’ Initiative
Budget & Tax News, March 4
Young Professionals Kick-off Reception
Date: Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Place: Hard Rock Cafe Seattle, 116 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101
Speaker: Dr. Patrick Moore
Dr. Patrick Moore was a co-founder and former president of Greenpeace before converting to the idea that environmental values must take into account economic and social issues in order to best encourage sustainability. Today Patrick Moore works with policymakers, businesses and individuals to promote sustainable, free-market environmentalism.
Climate change and the environment are some of the most important issues facing our generation. Hear from a fascinating speaker who helped start the environmental activist movement and learn about his transition away from radical environmentalism, and the important lessons it holds for you, our economy and our future.
WPC’s Young Professionals Group aims to get young business and community leaders in their 20s and 30s involved in shaping public policy and promoting practical solutions to issues in our state. Bring a friend and celebrate the kick-off of this important organization. Appetizers and a complimentary drink will be provided.
Street Parking – Free street parking is available after 6:00pm, including the parking spaces in Pike Place Market, just one block west of the Hard Rock Café.
Parking Lots – The most convenient parking lot is on the opposite corner from the Hard Rock Café, on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Pike Street.
Parking Garages – The most convenient parking garage is located at Chase Center on Union Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues, one block south of the Hard Rock Café.
RSVP today by calling Emily at 206-937-9691 or ekropf@washingtonpolicy.org
Washington Policy Center's 2010 Annual Dinner
Wednesday, October 6th | 6:00 pm | Hyatt Regency Bellevue
900 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, 98004
Tables from $3,000 - $15,000 | $1,000 VIP Couples | $300 Individual
Featuring 2010 Columbia Award Recipient from The Washington Post and FOX News
and honoring 2010 Stanley O. McNaughton Champion of Freedom Award Recipient State Auditor
Click for more information
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
BOMA TriCities March Membership Luncheon
March 17, 2010
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Shilo Inn, 50 Comstock Street, Richland, 99352
Dann Mead Smith, WPC President, will give an overview of WPC during the BOMA TriCities March Membership Luncheon.
Walla Walla Rotary
March 18, 2010
12:00 PM
Marcus Whitman Hotel, 6 W. Rose ST., Walla Walla, 99362
Dann Mead Smith, WPC President, will give an overview of WPC during the Walla Walla Rotary weekly meeting.
The Special K Group
March 24, 2010
7:30 AM
Palomino Restaurant, 610 Bellevue Way Northeast,
Bellevue, 98004
Dr. Roger Stark, policy analyst at WPC's Center for Health Care, will speak to the The Special K Group on federal health care reform.
West Spokane Rotary Club #270
April 13, 2010
12:00 PM
: Ramada Spokane Airport, 8909 West Airport Drive
Spokane, 99224
Chris Cargill, WPC's Eastern Washington Office Director, will speak to the West Spokane Rotary club about WPC’s mission and goals in Eastern Washington.
