New Education Policy Research Center Opens
New director will focus on offering practical solutions to promote excellence in education

Seattle – Washington Policy Center (WPC), the state’s premier independent policy research organization, has opened its new Center for Education.

The Center for Education, WPC's sixth research center, supports reforms which would increase parent choice within the public school system, allow principals to manage and improve their schools, place an effective teacher in every classroom, and assure adequate funding for every child. The Center engages in solid research and analysis to inform policymakers and the public about practical solutions which promote excellence in education.

The Center is off to a productive start. The new director, Liv Finne, has met with the education leaders in the legislature, testified by invitation before House and Senate education committees, and published two Legislative Memos this session: “Bill to Unionize Day Care Workers Violates the National Labor Relations Act” and “Unionizing Daycare: Requiring union membership and collective bargaining in the provision of state subsidized daycare services.”

The center launch was spurred by two generous contributions to WPC’s Free Markets for Washington research centers campaign by the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust in Vancouver and the Apex Foundation in Seattle. WPC has raised $3.8 million of its $4.2 million goal.

“I appreciate Washington Policy Center’s informed leadership and strong voice on policy issues that support and strengthen our state,” remarked Craig Stewart, Apex Foundation president. “We look forward to working with WPC on finding market solutions to improve the lives of all children and families in our state.”

Liv Finne holds a law degree from Boston University’s School of Law and a BA from Wellesley College. Prior to joining full-time in January, Liv was an adjunct scholar for WPC and author of several education policy studies, including “Early Learning Proposals in Washington State.” Her upcoming publications will include a look at online education programs and developing an agenda for education reform in Washington state.