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August 18, 2006 |
Contact: John Barnes |
WPC Announces Opening of Center for Transportation Policy with Hiring of New Director
Seattle - Washington Policy Center, Washington's premier free-market public policy research and education organization, welcomes Mike Ennis as the director of the new Center for Transportation Policy.
The Center for Transportation Policy will research and analyze the best practices for solving our crowded and decaying transportation system, recapturing the vision of a transportation system based on freedom of movement.
Key goals of the center will include:
- Getting the people and commerce of Washington moving again
- Ensuring transportation funds are spent in the most efficient and useful manner to reduce congestion and improve safety
- Increasing accountability for transportation funds and plans to reduce congestion.
WPC's latest work on transportation can be found in their new "Policy Guide for Washington State," which features an extensive chapter on transportation with several recommendations for policymakers. The first two publications for the new Center will be released this fall and will examine King County's plan to increase the sales tax to expand Metro bus service and the Mayor's plan to increase property taxes and fees to fund Seattle road maintenance projects.
Mike has worked as a staff assistant for Senator Dino Rossi; Senator Slade Gorton; and as Legislative Aide for State Representative Jan Shabro, a member of the House Transportation Committee.
Mike served in the U.S. Army with the 2nd Ranger Battalion . He earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Washington where he studied Political Science. He also earned his Master's of Public Administration degree from the Daniel J Evans School of Public Affairs also at the University of Washington.
"Transportation has been a focus of WPC for several years and a full time Center for Transportation Policy is something that we have been planning for some time," said WPC President Dann Mead Smith. "With the hiring of Mike we will be able to have a greater impact in this policy area and participate in the continuing debate over transportation improvements that will reduce congestion in the Puget Sound region and around the state."
Additionally, Ennis will work as director for WashingtonVotes.org, WPC's legislative website. WashingtonVotes.org puts simple and accurate descriptions of Washington legislative measures and actions, along with the complete voting records of Washington legislators at the fingertips of all citizens 24 hours a day, free-of charge. The goals of the website are to serve as the state's premier legislative information website, to hold Washington's public leaders accountable and to make Washington's government accessible to its citizens.
Mike Ennis is available through email at mennis@washingtonpolicy.org or at 206-937-9691.