Government Reform
Citizens’ Guide to Initiative 1033, by Jason Mercier, September 2009
Overview of Property Tax Levies for Pike Place Market and Seattle Parks, by Paul Guppy, September 2008
The Washington State Piglet Book: Conntecting the Dots on How Government Wastes Your Money, by Paul Guppy, January 2008
The Seattle Street Repair Tax, Phase 1: Funding Basic Government with Special Levies, by Paul Guppy, October 2006
A Citizens Guide to Initiative 920: A Measure to Repeal the Estate Tax, by Carl Gipson, October 2006
Guide to Initiative 900: Reviewing Government through Performance Audits, by John Barnes, October 2005
A Citizen's Guide to Initiative 872, by Richard Derham, September 2004
After the Blanket Primary: Reforming Washington's Election System, by Richard Derham, Nobember 2003
Property Tax Limitation in Washington State, by Paul Guppy, August 2003
Smart Growth and Housing Affrodability: Evidence from Washington State, by Samuel R. Staley, Leonard C. Gilroy, April 2003
A Policy Guide for Budget Reform: Strategies for Improving State Government Services and Reducing the Deficit, by Eric Montague, January 2003
Assessing the Effectiveness of Initiative 747 Property Tax Limitation, by Paul Guppy, August 2002
State Income Taxes Increase Government Spending and Reduce Personal Income Growth, by Eric Montague, June 2002
Ideas for Balancing the State Budget Without Raising Taxes, by Eric Montague, January 2002
Guiding Principles of a Fair and Effective Tax System, by Washington Policy Center, January 2002
An Overview of Initiative 747 "The Right to Vote on Property Taxes Initiative," by Paul Guppy, October 2001
Referendum 47 Tax Limitation: Tax Increase Trends of Washington Ports, by Paul Guppy and Jason Smosna, September 2001
Hearing the Voters: Growing Compliance with Referendum 47 Tax Limitation, by Paul Guppy, August 2001
Reforming Washington's Primary Elections; Six Proposals in a Nutshell, by Richard Derham, March 2001
Collective Bargaining Bill Threatens Separation of Powers, by Paul Guppy, February 2001
Elections By Plurality; a Multi-Party System and the Grange Initiative, by Richard Derham, February 2001
Beyond the Blanket Primary: Washington's Parties Nominate Their Candidates, by Richard Derham, December 2000
Property Tax Relief in Washington: Referendum 47's Increasing Effectiveness, by Paul Guppy, July 2000
25 Commonsense Ways to Implement Initiative 695, by Paul Guppy, December 1999
Washington Needs an Appointed Insurance Commissioner, by Paul Guppy, October 1999
Property Tax Relief in Washington: Referendum 47's Second Year, by Paul Guppy, June 1999
Whose Surplus is It? Washington State Continues to Overcharge Taxpayers, by Jeff Hanson, March 1999
The 1999 King County Budget: Alternatives to Tax Increases, by Dennis Lisk, November 1998
Property Tax Relief in Washington: Is Referendum 47 Working?, by Paul Guppy, July 1998
Lawmakers Cannot Count on Sin Taxes for Budget Relief, by Paul Guppy & Betsy Hansen, January 2010
How Competitive Contracting Can Help Balance the Budget without Raising Taxes, by Jason Mercier, December 2009
Citizens’ Guide To Proposition 4 In Spokane, by Abby Burlingame & Carl Gipson, September 2009
Citizens’ Guide to Initiative 1033, by Jason Mercier, September 2009
Digital Goods Taxation in Washington State, by Carl Gipson, July 2009
Overview of the Proposed Seattle Bag Tax, by Paul Guppy, July 2009
Emergency Clause Usage Ticks Up, by Jason Mercier, May 2009
Overspending during Good Times Put Seattle in Budget Mess, Paul Guppy & Betsy Hansen, May 2009
Overview of House and Senate Democrats’ 2009-11 Budget Proposals, by Jason Mercier, April 2009
December 2008: Changing the Budget Status Quo, by Paul Guppy & Jason Mercier
October 2008: Guiding Principles of Taxation for Elected Officials, by Paul Guppy & Jason Mercier
September 2008: Constitutional Protections Needed For Taxpayers, by Jason Mercier
August 2008: Washington Policy Center proposes Taxation Disclosure Act, by Jason Mercier
August 2008: Reducing Washington's "Long Ballot" for Elections, by Jason Mercier
July 2008: Washington State Compacts with Tribal Businesses, by Brandon Houskeeper
May 2008: Lawmakers impose $768 million in fee and tax increases in 2008, by Jason Mercier
April 2008: Emergency Clause Usage Drops, by Jason Mercier
2007-26: Ending Abuse of the Emergency Clause, by Jason Mercier
2007-25: Creating a Free, Searchable Website of State Spending, by Jason Mercier
2007-18: Citizens Guide to SJR 8206, Budget Stabilization Account, by Jason Mercier
2007-16: Citizens Guide to Initiative 960, The Taxpayer Protection Act Part 3, by Jason Mercier
2007-14: Citizens Guide to Initiative 960, The Taxpayer Protection Act Part 2, by Jason Mercier
2007-11: Citizens Guide to Initiative 960, The Taxpayer Protection Act, by Jason Mercier
2006-16: The Seattle Street Repair Tax: Funding Basic Services with Special Levies, by Paul Guppy
2006-12: A Citizens Guide to Initative 920: Repealing the Estate Tax, by Carl Gipson
2006-04: Tax Freedom Day Highlights Government Encroachment, by Colin Gowan
2006-03: We Won - So Let's Repeal the Spanish-American War Tax, by Roy A. Berg
2005-12: Guide to Initiative 900: Reviewing Government Through Performance Audits, by John Barnes
2004-12: State Officials Want to Tax the New Way to Make a Phone Call, by Paul Guppy
2003-16: After the Blanket Primary: Reforming Washington's Election System, by Richard Derham
2003-13: Property Tax Increases in Washington's Major Cities, by Paul Guppy
2003-12: Property Tax Increases in Washington's Counties, by Paul Guppy
2003-09: The Economic Case Against an Income Tax in Washington State, by David G. Tuerck
2003-01: A Policy Guide for Budget Reform: Strategies for Improving State Government Services and Reducing the Deficit, by Eric Montague
2002-13: Voters Face Decision on Two Statewide Initiatives This Fall, by Karen Mooney
2002-12: Voter-Approved Limit Is Changing City Officials' Taxing Habits, by Paul Guppy
2002-11: Long-Term Property Tax Trends Vary Widely Among Counties, by Paul Guppy
2002-10: Washington Cities Are Scaling Back Tax Increases in Response to Initiative 747, by Paul Guppy
2002-09: Initiative 747 is Trimming Back Property Tax Increases, by Paul Guppy
2002-08: A State Income Tax Would Increase Government Spending and Reduce Personal Income Growth, by Eric Montague
2002-02: Ideas for Balancing the State Budget Without Raising Taxes, by Eric Montague
2001-20: Property Tax Limits Are on the Ballot Again, by Paul Guppy
2001-19: Referendum 47 Has Mostly Failed to Limit Tax Increases Imposed by Washington Ports, by Paul Guppy and Jason Smosna
2001-18: Seattle's Fast-Rising Property Tax Spurs Loss of Affordable Housing, by Paul Guppy
2001-17: Property Taxes; Four-Year Trend Reveals Major Increases, by Paul Guppy
2001-16: Property Tax Limitation Improving, But Some Cities Still Don't Get the Message, by Paul Guppy
2001-15: Hearing the Voters: Growing Compliance with Referendum 47, by Paul Guppy
2000-16: Beyong the Blanket Primary: Washington's Parties Nominate Their Candidates, by Richard Derham
2000-11: Holding the Line - Most Major Cities Now Limiting Tax Increases to Inflation, by Paul Guppy
2000-10: Residents in Some Counties Hit with Quadruple-Inflation Property Tax Increases, by Paul Guppy
2000-09: Most Counties Now Complying with Referendum 47 Property Tax Limit, by Paul Guppy
2000-03: Property Taxes Continue to Soar, by Jeff Hanson
2000-02: New Proposals to Tax the Internet, by Richard Derham
1999-20: 25 Commonsense Ways to Implement Initiative 695, by Paul Guppy
1999-19: Washington Needs an Appointed Insurance Commissioner, by Paul Guppy
1999-14: Government Regulations Add to "Sticker Shock" of New Home Prices, by Paul Guppy
1999-12: The Child Tax Credit: Washington Families Enjoy Benefits of 1997 Taxpayer Relief ACt, by Jeff Hanson
1999-10: Tax Reform That Works: Referendum 47 Cuts the State Property Tax, by Paul Guppy
1999-09: Property Tax Releif in Washington's Major Cities: A Look at Referendum 47's Second Year, by Paul Guppy
1999-08: Property Tax Releif in Washington: Are the Counties Implementing Referendum 47, by Paul Guppy
1999-03: Whose Surplus is It? Washington State Continues to Overcharge Taxpayers, by Jeff Hanson
1998-13: Four Ways the Legislature Can Improve Property Tax Limitation
1998-11: Property Tax Proposals for King County Cities
1998-10: The 1999 King County Budget: Alternative to Tax Increases
1998-06: Property Tax Relief: Is Referendum 47 Working?
1998-04: Washignton's Tax Surplus: Keeping Faith with Washington's Voters, by Emilio Cantu
Ghost Bills and Mystery Hearings Mark 2010 Session, Creating Lack of Public Process, by Brandon Houskeeper, March 2010
Sunshine Week shines light on lack of legislative transparency, by Jason Mercier, March 15, 2010
Is a Special Session Necessary to Balance Budget, Raise Taxes? by Jason Mercier, March 9, 2010
Senate's "public" hearing on income tax questioned, by Jason Mercier, March 5, 2010
$9.6 million annual car insurance increase moves forward, by Jason Mercier, March 4, 2010
Voter-Approved Taxpayer Protections Repealed, Again, by Jason Mercier, February 2010
Time to Adopt Better System for Funding Higher Education, by Teresa Totorica, February 2010
Laws Enacted by Voters Need More Protections, by Jason Mercier, February 25, 2010
How to Make Washington a Sunshine State, by Jason Mercier, February 22, 2010
Will governor veto tax transparency suspension? by Jason Mercier, February 18, 2010
Senate votes for full suspension of I-960; higher taxes coming? by Jason Mercier, February 11, 2010
Senate moves step closer to tax increases, by Jason Mercier, February 9, 2010
Should tax increases require a two-thirds vote? by Jason Mercier, February 2, 2010
How Government Officials Increase Home Prices, by Brandon Houskeeper, January 2010
Senators propose government restructuring commission, by Jason Mercier, January 26, 2010
No guarantee of federal bailout money, Gregoire says, by Jason Mercier, January 21, 2010
Bipartisan 72-hour budget review bill introduced, by Jason Mercier, January 14, 2010
Should government compete with the private sector? by Jason Mercier, January 13, 2010
Tax increases will cost even more Washingtonians their job, by Jason Mercier, January 11, 2010
Budget solutions will require tough decisions and real reforms, by Jason Mercier, January 2010
Competitive Contracting is Part of the Budget Solution, by Jason Mercier, December 2009
States face at least $405 billion unfunded liability for retiree health benefits, by Jason Mercier, December 31, 2009
State auditor talks about the opportunities for streamlining state operations, by Jason Mercier, December 17, 2009
Gregoire's budget will have state facing $2.8 billion deficit in 2011-13, by Jason Mercier, December 10, 2009
Reform state's competitive contracting law to realize budget savings, by Jason Mercier, December 7, 2009
State's executive branch needs unity on education, not this week's division, by Jason Mercier, November 20, 2009
Governor on tricky path with decision against special session on deficit, by Jason Mercier, November 17, 2009
‘Election week’ shows need for reform, by Jason Mercier, November 3, 2009
State Auditor’s Office reviews its performance measures, by Jason Mercier, November 2, 2009
52% chose to donate to state parks in September, by Jason Mercier, October 23, 2009
More on the R-71 petition decision, by Jason Mercier, October 15, 2009
Supreme Court rules judiciary not subject to public records act, by Jason Mercier, October 15, 2009
Looking for better ways to enforce open government laws, by Jason Mercier, October 5, 2009
Citizens' Guide to Initiative 1033: "Lower Property Tax Act of 2009", by Jason Mercier, September 23, 2009
Protestors target government spending priorities, by Jason Mercier, September 14, 2009
Eyman sues Office of Financial Management over I-1033 fiscal note, by Jason Mercier, September 8, 2009
Sunshine Committee votes to repeal legislative records exemption, by Jason Mercier, September 1, 2009
PDC holds work session on enforcing open government laws, by Jason Mercier, August 26, 2009
Candidates respond to open-government questionnaire, by Jason Mercier, August 10, 2009
Congressman cancels town hall meetings over health care debate, by Jason Mercier, August 6, 2009
Time to shoot for the moon for real education reform, by Jason Mercier, July 28, 2009
Today's 'green' job is yesterday's regular job, by Brandon Houskeeper, July 22, 2009
Public versus private health care costs, by Jason Mercier, July 13, 2009
Sneak peak at Washington's supplemental budget, by Jason Mercier, July 9, 2009
Will lawmakers pledge to read healthcare bill before voting? by Jason Mercier, June 30, 2009
King County’s sci-fi construction projects: Hulk, Jabba, Kahn and Kirk, by Jason Mercier, June 26, 2009
Budget website shines light on state spending, by Jason Mercier, June 2009
Obama directs agencies to focus on performance, by Jason Mercier, June 17, 2009
Web voters support 72-hour budget timeout, by Jason Mercier, June 3, 2009
Fighting “climate change” with state plane, by Jason Mercier, May 30, 2009
Veto saves performance audit funding, by Jason Mercier, May 28, 2009
Where's the emergency?, by Jason Mercier, May 20, 2009
Has state economy turned the corner?, by Jason Mercier, May 15, 2009
Keep Sunshine on Government, by Jason Mercier, May 12, 2009
Veto could restore performance audit money, by Jason Mercier, May 5, 2009
A Park Fee Trick, by Jason Mercier, April 30, 2009
Income tax plan dies again, by Jason Mercier, April 27, 2009
Tracking Government Spending, by Jason Mercier, April 24, 2009
Taxes, Taxes, Taxes, by Jason Mercier, April 21, 2009
Why was that spending included? by Jason Mercier, April 20, 2009
Whatever happened to government reform?, by Jason Mercier, April 15, 2009
Do you know what your legislator is doing?, by Jason Mercier, March 2009
Budget needs reform for taxpayers to win, by Jason Mercier, January 13, 2009
President-elect Obama should bring government transparency into the 21st century, by Jason Mercier and Patrice McDermott, December 2008
Seattle leaders choose to pay for core public amenities with special levies, but will it work in a tough economy?, by Paul Guppy, October, 2008
Smart Budgeting and Accountability, by Maurice McTigue, November 2008
Ballots should be due on Election Day, by Jason Mercier, October 2008
What Caused Olympia's Budget Mess? (Hint: It's Not Lack of Money), by Paul Guppy, September 2008
Taxpayers Need Constitutional Protections, by Jason Mercier, September 2008
Privatizing King County’s animal shelters is right solution for pets and taxpayers, by Justin Bryant, May 2008
Learning from the Past and Creating our Future (keynote address at WPC’s 2008 Government Reform Conference), by David Walker, April 2008
Look Beyond the Numbers of State Budgeting, by John Barnes, March 2008
Bringing Sunshine to State Spending, by Jason Mercier, January 2008
Restoring Our Right of Referendum, by Jason Mercier, January 2008
Time to Shine Light on Government Spending, by Jason Mercier, October 2007
Taxpayer Protection Act, Take 2, by Jason Mercier, September 2007
State Lawmakers Should Return the Extra Money They Are Taking From Taxpayer, by Paul Guppy, December 2006
Public Financing of Judical Campaigns - The Worst of All Worlds, by William R. Maurer, November 2006
Don't Use Special Levies for Routine Work, by Paul Guppy, Octover 2006
Five Principles for Judging Political Candidates, by Paul Guppy, July, 2006
Judge Wrong to Invalidate I-747's Property-Tax Limits, by Paul Guppy, June 2006
The State Budget Tug of War, by Paul Guppy, January 2006
Why a Windfall Profits Tax Is, and Always Has Been, A Dumb Idea, by Paul Guppy, December 2005
Senators Make Bid to Delay New Entitlement Spending, by Michael Franc, November 2005
Performance Audits Seek to Improve How Government Spends Our Money, by John Barnes, October 2005
Relying on Sin Taxes Reveals the Contradictions in the State Budget, by John Barnes, June, 2005
Overextended Government, Not Lack of Revenue, Is the Reason for State's Structural Deficits, by Paul Guppy, March 2005
Budget "Shortfall" Responsibility of Both Locke and Legislature, by Carl Gipson, December 2004
Legislature Slow in Making Progress on Key Issues, by Paul Guppy, February 2004
After the Blanket Primary: Reforming Washington's Election System, by Richard Derham, November 2003
Initiative 841 Gives Voters a Rare Chance to Vote on Government Regulation, by Paul Guppy, October 2003
Initiative 747 Slows the Yearly Rise in the Property Tax Burden, by Paul Guppy, September 2003
A Tale to Two States - Why Washington Has a Budget Crisis and Colorado Doesn't, by Paul Guppy, May 2003
Tax Increases Won't Solve the State's Budget Problem, by Paul Guppy, April 2003
A State Income Tax Would Hurt Washington's Economy, by Eric Montague, December 2002
Latest Eyman Initiative seeks to Finish the Work of I-695, by Paul Guppy, October 2002
Opinion: State Income Tax for Washington? No Thanks, by William Pok, July 2002
Are Your Property Taxes Going Up? Don't Blame the Assessor, by Paul Guppy, June 2002
April 15th Has Passed, But We're Still Waiting for Tax Freedom Day, by Paul Guppy, April 2002
State's Run-Away Spending is Fueling the Deficit, by Paul Guppy, February 2002
Support for Initiative 747 Reflects Frustration Over High Property Taxes, by Paul Guppy, October 2001
Before We Vote on More Tax Limitation. Let's See How Past Reforms Have Fared, by Paul Guppy, August 2001
The Effect of Tax Preferences on B&O Taxes Paid by Washington Businesses, by Paul Guppy, March 2009
Improving Tax Disclosure is the Next Step in the State’s Transparency Reforms, by Jason Mercier, February 2009
Resources for Building the State Budget, by Jason Mercier, February 2009
Why Government Spending Does Not Stimulate Economic Growth, by Brian M. Riedl, January 2009
Proposals to allow more wrongful death lawsuits would increase the legal liability to taxpayers, by Brandon Houskeeper, February 2008
Assessing the Impact of the 1% Property Tax Limit, by Paul Guppy, February 2008
Review of homestead property tax exemption proposals, by Jason Mercier, February 2008
Proposals to allow more wrongful death lawsuits would increase the legal liability to taxpayers, by Brandon Houskeeper, February 2008
2008 Transparency & Accountability Reforms: Searchable State Budget Website and Emergency Clause Reform, by Jason Mercier, January 2008
Proposed State-Mandated Warranty Would Increase Cost to Homebuyers, by Paul Guppy and Christopher Fox, March 2007
Failure to Enact Permanent 1% Limit Could Lead to $1.5 Billion Property Tax Increase, by Paul Guppy, March 2007
The Washington Policy Center Tax Cut Plan, by Paul Guppy, January 2007
Five Principles of Responsible Government, by Paul Guppy, January 2007
