Press Releases

Budget, Business Climate Recommendations Released in Tri-Cities

February 16, 2005

Washington Policy Center, the state's premier independent non-profit public policy research and education organization, will release its first book-length publication, Agenda 2005: The Guide to Public Policy Issues in Washington State, to Tri-Cities media on Wednesday, February 16th at 10 a.m. at the Tri-City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Proposed "LEED" Building Standards Environmentally Counterproductive

February 10, 2005

The Center for Environmental Policy (CEP), a part of Washington Policy Center, the state's premier public policy research and education organization, released a new publication analyzing the true effects of the proposed Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) "green" building standards recommendations.

"Should Washington State LEED or Get Out of the Way?" lays out three significant problems with LEED.

Washington Policy Center Briefs Legislators, Staff in Olympia

February 1, 2005

Washington Policy Center, this state's premier independent public policy research and education organization, briefed legislators, their staff and WPC supporters in Olympia on important issues facing our state. All of these issues are tackled extensively in WPC's first book-length publication Agenda 2005 - The Guide to Public Policy Issues in Washington state, a comprehensive reference guide to public policy recommendations,...

New Developments Highlight Problems with Drug Importation Plans

January 25, 2005

Two new developments over the past couple of months raise new red flags over drug importation plans and should be taken into account as the debate over this issue heats up in Olympia.

First, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued the "Report on Prescription Drug Importation" in December that widely criticizes any plans for legalizing drug importation from Canada. Saying "safety should never be...

Todd Myers Hired as Center for Environmental Policy Director

January 18, 2005

Washington Policy Center, the state's premier independent public policy research and education organization, hired Todd Myers to direct its Center for the Environment.

The Center for the Environment is a Washington Policy Center project aimed at presenting clear, market-based policy ideas for successful environmental protection. The Center offers environmental policy alternatives that illustrate how the environment can be...

Budget 'Deficit' & Business Climate Among Recommendations Announced at "Agenda 2005" Press Conference

January 13, 2005

Washington Policy Center, the state's premier independent public policy research and education organization, recommended the state legislature enact meaningful policy reforms to balance the budget and find ways to improve the business climate, especially for small businesses, at a press conference with state legislators and media today. These recommendations are detailed in WPC's first book-length publication, Agenda 2005: The...

Budget 'Deficit' & Business Climate Recommendations to be Announced Thursday at Press Conference

January 10, 2005

What: Media Conference with Legislative Leaders announcing release of Agenda 2005 and recommendations on budget 'deficit' and regulations to improve state's business climate

Where: Cherberg Conference Room BC, State Capitol Campus, Olympia

When: 10 a.m., Thursday, January 13th

Contact: Carl Gipson, Communications Director

WashingtonVotes.org Provides the Only Complete Description of 2005 Legislature

January 7, 2005

Every step of the 2005 Legislative Session will be documented by WashingtonVotes.org, a revolutionary website that provides concise, plain-English, objective descriptions of every bill, amendment and vote of the Washington legislature. The site's searchable electronic database, by issue or bill number, allows users to learn about every action of the legislature within 24 hours of its occurrence.

Locke's Tax Increases Ignore Possible Reforms

December 15, 2004

For the second time in less than a month, outgoing Governor Gary Locke has hinted that the only way to balance his new budget is to raise taxes due to a revenue "shortfall". The shortfall, however, is not a result of lower revenue, but spending increases that far outpace the increased tax revenue projected for the 2005-07 biennium.

Experience shows raising taxes to pay for higher government spending would dampen Washington's fragile economic recovery and increase the cost of...

Congressman George Nethercutt Joins Washington Policy Center Board of Directors

December 10, 2004

Seattle - Washington Policy Center, Washington's premier public policy research and education organization, elected retiring Congressman George Nethercutt to its Board of Directors recently at its Annual Meeting.

Congressman George Nethercutt spent ten years in Congress representing the 5th Congressional District - a district that encompasses 17,000 square miles of Eastern Washington. Prior to becoming a Congressman in 1994, Nethercutt spent several years as a family-practice...

State Budget Shortfall Offers Opportunity for Reform

December 1, 2004

In a recent news conference, outgoing Governor Gary Locke suggested tax increases to fill a $1.6 billion budget shortfall. The shortfall is not a result of lower revenue, but spending increases that far outpace the increased tax revenue projected for the 2005-07 biennium.

Non-partisan Analysis on all Statewide Propositions Available Online

October 14, 2004

Washington Policy Center, the state's premier public policy research and education organization, has completed non-partisan, objective analysis of all statewide propositions appearing on this year's ballot.

There are several important ballot propositions this year, said Washington Policy Center President Daniel Mead Smith. The goal for Washington Policy Center is to educate voters on the benefits and detractions of each initiative or referendum before they cast their ballot....

New Study Assesses Charter School Referendum

October 4, 2004

A new report from Washington Policy Center released today, entitled "Creating New Opportunities to Learn: Charter Schools and Education Reform in Washington," thoroughly explains Referendum 55, the charter school ballot proposal.

The report summarizes the proposals of several of the groups that had hoped to start charter schools this fall, but had to postpone those plans until after the November election. Those groups include the Evergreen View Charter School, Eatonville Montessori...

New Study Examines Ballot Initiative to Change State Primary Election System

September 24, 2004

Seattle - A new Washington Policy Center study analyzes Initiative 872, a ballot measure proposed by the Washington State Grange to change, for the second time this year, the state's primary election system.

The study, titled "A Citizen's Guide to Initiative 872," gives an overview of the initiative's key provisions and explains the new state law the initiative seeks to replace. The study also explains the federal court decisions that led the legislature earlier this year to...

New Report Highlights Overbearing Regulations That Threaten Entrepreneurial Spirit

September 14, 2004

Washington Policy Center and the Institute for Justice have teamed up to release "Entrepreneurship in the Emerald City: Regulations Cloud the Sparkle of Small Business," a new report written by Institute for Justice attorney Jeanette Petersen that examines barriers to entrepreneurial success due to excessive, and often unnecessary, government regulations.

WashingtonVotes.org Helps Citiens Make Informed Decisions in the Primary Election

September 13, 2004

As the election nears, voters can find the comprehensive voting record of their state legislators on WashingtonVotes.org, a free, non-partisan legislative website. WashingtonVotes.org shows every vote each legislator made during the past three Legislative Sessions and provides plain-English summaries of the bills legislators introduced and shows the outcome of each bill's vote.

Proposed King County Regulations Compromise Rural Landowners' Rights

September 13, 2004

A new Policy Note from Washington Policy Center, written by William R. Maurer and Russ Brooks, addresses the negative impact that proposed Growth Management rules would have on rural landowners' property rights in King County.

In March 2004, King County Executive Ron Sims proposed a series of new ordinances that, if enacted, would become some of the most restrictive regulations on the use of private property in the United States.

Media Conference Announces IJ African Hairbraiders Lawsuit Challenging Washington's Cosmetology Licensing Law

August 5, 2004

EVENT

Media Conference Announces IJ African Hairbraiders Lawsuit Challenging Washington's Cosmetology Licensing Law

TIME/DATE

10:30 a.m./Thursday, August 5, 2004

PLACE

Touba African Hair Braiding
2415 Western Ave., Suite #3
Seattle, WA

CONTACT

John Kramer, Vice President for Communications, Institute for Justice, (202) 955-1300 ext. 202
Carl Gipson,...

Assistant U.S. Secretary of Interior to Adress Center for Environmental Policy Luncheon

July 13, 2004

Lynn Scarlett, Assistant Secretary of Policy, Management and Budget for the U.S. Department of Interior, will speak on the important growth of private conservation initiatives and will address some of the nation's and Washington state's environmental concerns at the first annual Center for Environmental Policy luncheon on July 26th.

New Study Weight Benefits, Drawbacks for Sales Tax Increase to Fund Education

June 30, 2004

In November, Washington voters will likely see on the ballot a proposed $1 billion initiative for education that would be funded by a 15% increase in the state sales tax, by raising the tax rate from 6.5% to 7.5%. A new study by Washington Policy Center, Washington's premier public policy research organization, analyzes the intent and the effects Initiative 884 would have if passed by voters.

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