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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What's New

How to Avoid Closing Washington State Parks

May 20, 2013 in In the News
Reason Foundation
Source: 
Reason Foundation
Date: 
Friday, May 17, 2013
Link: 
http://reason.org/blog/show/how-avoid-closing-washington-parks

Rethinking Washington State Parks: How to Avoid Governor Inslee’s Plan to Close 60 State Parks

May 17, 2013 in Publications
By

Leonard Gilroy, Director of Government Reform at Reason Foundation,
and adjunct scholar, Washington Policy Center

, May, 2013

In his “Working Washington” report issued earlier this year, Gov. Jay Inslee proposes a range of new taxes to help increase funding for education and other state services, including Washington’s cash-strapped state parks system.[1] Without an additional $23.7 million in new funding, the governor warns that “up to 60 state parks could be closed year round or seasonally.”

New budget due on June 1 under state law

May 16, 2013 in Blog

With it being all quiet on the Western Legislative Front, there is one date to keep in mind concerning the ongoing state budget negotiations: June 1.

While there are rumors that lawmakers may wait for the June 18 Revenue Forecast to see if the recent improvement in state economic activity can help bridge the budget divide, state law may make waiting that long a bit tricky.

According to RCW 43.88.080 (emphasis added): 

Senators may meet via teleconference during special session; remote testimony options for citizens next?

May 15, 2013 in Blog

While there isn't much news coming out of Olympia since the Special Session started on Monday there is one development that could hold huge implications for citizens going forward. At a media availability on Monday Senate Republican Leader Sen. Schoesler said that Senators may meet via teleconference to help keep cost down for members living out of the area.

Here is video of Sen. Schoesler's comments:

Don't forget to include the public in the "sanctity" of budget negotiations

May 14, 2013 in Blog

A few lawmakers kicked off the first 30-day Special Session yesterday to finish work on the 2013-15 operating budget. At a press conference Governor Inslee said some progress had been made concerning the assumptions in the various budgets but that he was not in a position to disclose those assumptions needing to keep the "sanctity" of close-door budget negations intact.

Here is video of Governor Inslee's comments:

Back to the budget battle in Olympia

May 13, 2013 in In the News
MyNorthwest.com
Source: 
MyNorthwest.com
Date: 
Monday, May 13, 2013
Link: 
http://mynorthwest.com/11/2272766/Back-to-the-budget-battle-in-Olympia

Five Items Lawmakers Should Include in the 2013-15 budget

May 10, 2013 in Publications
By

Jason Mercier, Director, Center for Government Reform

, May, 2013

Governor Inslee has called a 30-day Special Session to begin on May 13th so that lawmakers can complete their unfinished work on the 2013-15 state budget. One of the major sticking points in ongoing budget negotiations is the House’s controversial decision to propose more than $1 billion in job killing tax increases.