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.
What's New
On Legislation Clarifying the Taxation of Staffing Services
Paul Guppy, Vice President for Research
, February, 2004Two bills, SB 6424 and HB 2832, are now being considered in the legislature to change the Business and Operating tax rate that applies to temporary staffing services, provide an exception for retailing services, and provide a limited amnesty to temporary staffing companies that work in good faith to remit retail sales and use taxes. Revenue collected by the state is expected to remain about the same. In analyzing these bills, Washington Policy Center presents the following points for lawmakers’ consideration.
Concerning Legislation Authorizing State Agencies to Purchase Prescription Drugs from Canada
Paul Guppy, Vice President for Research
, February, 2004Legislation, HB 2469, is now being considered in the legislature which would authorize state agencies to purchase prescription drugs from Canada. As an aid to legislators in making an informed decision, some of the potential problems with the state adopting such a policy are briefly outlined below.
The Legislature is in Session, and a New Website is Helping Citizens Keep an Eye On It
Paul Guppy, Vice President for Research
, January, 2004"It is a time when men work silently in the fields and women weep quietly in the kitchen, for Congress is in session and no man's property is safe." This semi-humorous quote attributed to Will Rogers applies equally to our state legislature. Lawmakers convened in Olympia on January 12th to begin a planned 60-day session, though it might be extended if legislators feel they need more time to complete their work.
WashingtonVotes.org Provides the Only Compleete Description of Legislature's 2004 Actions
Olympia-Every step of the 2004 Legislative Session will be documented by WashingtonVotes.org, a revolutionary website that provides concise, plain-English, objective descriptions of every bill, amendment and vote of the Washington legislature. The site's searchable electronic database, by issue or bill number, allows users to learn about every action of the legislature within 24 hours of its occurrence.
After the Blanket Primary: Reforming Washington's Primary Election System
Richard Derham, Research Fellow
, November, 2003Vibrant political parties, formed by citizens who band together to advocate their philosophies, are the essential foundation of our democracy.
Citizen-activists "have a First Amendment right to further their party's program for what they see as good governance," the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals declared when it recently stuck down Washington's blanket primary. That system, the court said, violated citizens' constitutional rights because it prevented a political party from picking its own nominees and framing the message it presents to voters.
Small Business Owners Speak Out on How to Improve the Business Climate
Eric Montague, Policy Analyst
, October, 2003Small business owners have spoken, and their message is clear. It is time for policymakers to take action to improve the state's business climate. Across Washington, business owners are wondering why our economy is stagnating while the rest of the country seems to be moving toward economic recovery. One answer came in the form of the 2003 Statewide Small Business Conference, where business owners identified the best solutions for improving Washington's business climate.
Initiative 747 Slows the Yearly Rise in the Property Tax
Paul Guppy, Vice President for Research
, September, 2003Taxes, especially property taxes, are too high in Washington state. That is the message voters send every time an initiative to reduce taxes or limit their rate of growth appears on the ballot. In just the last few years voters have approved three popular measures to ease the rise in the property tax burden government places on its citizens. The latest one, Initiative 747, passed by 58% in 2001. Yet many people wonder whether all this tax-limiting hoopla really makes any difference. After all, people in Seattle voted against building a new tax-subsidized sports stadium...and ended up with two.
Bellevue Officials Committed to Tax Relief
Seattle - A new study finds that 20 of 22 Washington's major cities surveyed limited the annual increase in regular property tax collections to 1% or less, a significant change from the once-common 6% increase.
Four cities - Bellevue, Bellingham, Redmond and Spokane - imposed no increase at all in their regular property tax collections for 2003, while two cities - Lakewood and Kirkland - passed increases greater than 1%.
Results show elected officials in Bellevue have not increased the basic property tax burden at all since 1997.
Whatcom County Officials Committed to Tax Relief
Seattle - A new study finds that 92% of Washington counties limited their annual increase in regular property tax collections to 1% or less and no county increased taxes by more than the once-common 6% level. This research indicates the broad effect recently passed property tax limits are having in reducing the rate of annual property tax increases among counties.
Five of the 36 tax-friendly counties - Kittitas, Spokane, Wahkiakum, Whatcom and Whitman - adopted zero increases in 2003.
Property Tax Increases in Washington's Major Cities
Paul Guppy, Vice President for Research
, August, 2003In recent years Washington voters have approved three popular measures to ease the growth of the property tax burden that government places on citizens.