Business Climate
WPC's Center for Small Business focuses on improving Washington's small business climate by working closely with business owners and policymakers. The Center provides accurate information and analysis on the state's regulatory climate, tax structure, health insurance systems, and more.
Publications
Comparison of Destination-based Sales Tax versus Origin-based Sales Tax
Key Findings
Real Jobs Created by Small Businesses — Not Government Make-work Jobs — Will Lead Washington out of Recession
Governor Gregoire kicked off 2012 with a strong statement about the importance of the state’s small businesses in creating the jobs that will turn the state’s economy around: “...If we can make it easier and cheaper for them [small business owners] to do business, they can afford to add more employees. This is the key to our economic recovery...”
Why the Proposed Washington Works Corps Program Won't Work
Introduction
This Legislative Memo provides an overview and analysis of HB 2802. This bill would establish a Washington Works Corps in an effort to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
Washington Works Corps would operate within the state Employment Security Department and is intended to “provide unemployed individuals with the opportunity to perform needed services in communities throughout Washington.”
Proposed Bills Would Weaken the Historic Workers' Compensation Reforms before They Are Implemented
Introduction
This Legislative Memo provides an overview and analysis of two bills, HB 2431 and companion bill SB 6302. These proposals would change the management of injured worker claims and compensation under the industrial insurance laws governing the state’s workers’ compensation system. While neither HB 2431 nor SB 6302 survived the deadline for bills to pass out of their house of origin — and thus are considered “dead” — bills of this nature are often resurrected later in the session.
7 Steps to Help State's Small Businesses
The Columbian (Vancouver) published this column on February 19, 2012.
7 Steps on the Road to Economic Recovery
The U.S. economy is officially in recovery, but people in Washington state are still struggling. Traditionally, small businesses have led the way out of recession as entrepreneurs create jobs and stimulate the economy. Unfortunately small businesses have been especially hard hit by the recession.
The Economic Impact of an Enterprise Value Tax
Note: Congress is considering imposing an Enterprise Value Tax that would have a lasting and harmful impact on Washington’s business climate. This Policy Note is adapted from a study written by economist J. Scott Moody of The Maine Heritage Policy Center and shows how this tax would affect business partnerships and private-sector investment. The full study analyzes how the Enterprise Value Tax would impact one state, Maine, and is available at www.mainepolicy.org.
Will Occupy Target Green Cronyism, Too?
USA Today published this column on November 1, 2011
Here is a pop quiz for people who support the Occupy Wall Street movement: Which U.S. senator wrote the following statement in 2009, in the midst of the current financial mess?
State Gives Away Gas Taxes to Indian Tribes
Washington state Indian tribes use governor's gas tax deal to undercut competition.
Introduction
Citizens' Guide to Initiative 1183: To End Washington's Liquor Store Monopoly
Key Findings
