Open Government

WPC's Center for Government Reform's mission is to partner with stakeholders and citizens to work toward a government focused on its core functions while improving its transparency, accountability, performance, and effectiveness for taxpayers.

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Open Government Blog

Businesses Need More than Bread and Circuses

May 22, 2012 in Blog

Yesterday kicked off the start of National Small Business Week.  Around the country government officials are paying homage to the small business owners who drive innovation in our national and state economies.

The recognition is certainly well deserved, but small businesses need more than a week of ceremonial platitudes in order to create the jobs that will spur our national and state economies out of recession. 

Yet Another Report Shows Washington’s Small Business Climate Needs Improving

May 9, 2012 in Blog

On the heels of two recent reports by the American Legislative Exchange Council and the Washington Roundtable concluding Washington’s business climate is in serious need of improvement comes a third report with the same conclusion.

Final budget stands only $46 million away from deficit

May 2, 2012 in Blog

To paraphrase Dirty Harry: I know what you're thinking. "Did lawmakers truly balance the budget and build in enough flexibility to deal with economic turmoil in Europe and an uncertain U.S. economy, or are we one forecast away from another special session?" Seeing how this is a $31.1 billion budget, balanced using accounting changes and reversions while leaving only a $46 million unrestricted ending fund balance, you've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, taxpayer?

In New Report, State's Biggest Employers Say Washington's Business Climate Needs Fixing

May 2, 2012 in Blog

Reinforcing what most employers in Washington State already know, a new report by the Washington Roundtable concludes our state’s business climate is in serious need of improvement.

The Washington Roundtable is a nonprofit, public policy organization comprised of executives of some of the state’s biggest private sector employers (Starbucks, Safeco and Boeing, to name a few).  So when Roundtable members say our state needs a more competitive business climate, they know what they’re talking about.

State union negotiations begin tomorrow on 2013-15 contracts

May 1, 2012 in Blog

Governor Gregoire will begin negotiations with state employee unions tomorrow (May 2) to determine the terms of the 2013-15 state union contracts. These 2013-15 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) are to be finalized by October 1 of this year - a month before the next Governor is chosen.

Lawmakers assume agencies will spend $120 million less than authorized

April 23, 2012 in Blog

When is a budget cut not a budget cut? When agencies still have the authority to spend money but lawmakers assume agencies won't spend all of it. This budget "reversion" philosophy isn't built entirely on blind faith, however, but on historical trends.

Snapshot of state operating budget spending history

April 20, 2012 in Blog

This table reflects the 2012 supplemental budget as adopted by the Legislature.

Operating Budget Spending History
(Dollars in Millions)

Biennium

NGF-P*

Federal
Stimulus

NGF-P +
Stimulus

Summary of K-12 health insurance bill

April 20, 2012 in Blog

Showing it's never too late (or early) for lawmakers to come to agreement on bill language, during the early hours of the 2nd Special Session of 2012 a compromise was reached on SB 5940 (Regarding reforms to school employee benefits purchasing).