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.

Research Centers / Open Government / Research Centers / Government Reform / What's New

What's New

Senate work session focuses on WPC B&O reform proposal

March 28, 2013 in Blog

Business taxes took center stage today in Olympia. While the morning started with a work session in the Senate Trade and Economic Development Committee on how to reform the state's hated Business & Occupation Tax (B&O), the afternoon began with Governor Inslee's attempt to re-define what a tax increase is.

State lauded for showing expenditures; chided for budget process

March 28, 2013 in In the News
The Spokesman-Review (Spokane)
Source: 
The Spokesman-Review (Spokane)
Date: 
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Link: 
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/mar/28/state-lauded-for-showing-expenditures-chided-for/

State's Transparency Grade Drops

March 28, 2013 in In the News
KGMI-AM (Bellingham)
Source: 
KGMI-AM (Bellingham)
Date: 
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Link: 
http://kgmi.com/State-s-Transparency-Grade-Drops/15908708

Tug-of-war in Olympia

March 25, 2013 in In the News
The Columbian (Vancouver)
Source: 
The Columbian (Vancouver)
Date: 
Monday, March 25, 2013
Link: 
http://www.columbian.com/news/2013/mar/25/tug-of-war-in-olympia/

This Week In Olympia

March 23, 2013 in In the News
KUOW, NPR Seattle
Source: 
KUOW, NPR Seattle
Date: 
Friday, March 22, 2013
Link: 
http://www.kuow.org/post/week-olympia-austin-jenkins-1

Washington's Troublesome Blank Bills

March 22, 2013 in In the News
Tax Foundation
Source: 
Tax Foundation
Date: 
Friday, March 22, 2013
Link: 
http://taxfoundation.org/blog/washingtons-troublesome-blank-bills

The budget speech we should hear today

March 20, 2013 in Blog

At noon today the final piece of the state's 2013-15 budget debate will fall into place as the March Revenue forecast is officially released. Due to the impact of the federal sequester, indications are that the currently projected nearly $2 billion increase in revenue for the next budget will be slightly reduced. While this will still mean revenues will be growing, it will likely fall short of funding the projected baseline spending increases and new policy adds Olympia would like to pursue.