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

Title only bills used to circumvent state Constitution

March 18, 2013 in Blog

Not only are title only bills (essentially blank pieces of legislation) not the most transparent way to introduce changes to state law (or perhaps too translucent) but they are used by lawmakers to circumvent the state Constitution. This is why it is disappointing to see 26 title only bills (13 in the House by Rep. Hunter and 13 in the Senate by Sen. Hill) introduced today. Budget chairs typically introduce title only bills so they "don't get stuck" at the end of session.

Here are some of the titles of the 26 title only bills (HB 2003-2015 and SB 5870-5882) introduced today:

How did 46th District representatives for Kenmore vote?

March 18, 2013 in In the News
The Kenmore Reporter
Source: 
The Kenmore Reporter
Date: 
Friday, March 15, 2013
Link: 
http://www.bothell-reporter.com/news/198552581.html

Improving the performance of tax preferences

March 15, 2013 in Blog

By a vote of 47-0, on March 7 the Senate adopted ESB 5843: Strengthening the review of the legislature's goals for tax preferences. This bill would require explicit legislative intent for new tax preferences and require performance metrics to help evaluate their impact.

Don't Pour State Taxes into Local Transit

March 14, 2013 in Publications
By

Dann Mead Smith, President, Washington Policy Center

, March, 2013

Puget Sound Business Journal published this column on March 8, 2013.

Dead, alive and NTIB (necessary to implement the budget)

March 14, 2013 in Blog

With yesterday's 5 p.m. House of Origin cutoff date behind us, here is a status report on several of the bills I've been following:

Open Government

SJR 8205 (Supermajority for taxes) on life support

March 13, 2013 in Blog

With just hours to go until today's 5 p.m. cutoff in the Legislature, it isn't looking promising for SJR 8205 (Supermajority for taxes) being brought to the floor in the Senate for a vote. The proposed constitutional amendment would implement the policy adopted by the voters on five separate occasions over the past 20 years (since 1993) that tax increases require a 2/3 vote of the Legislature or voter approval.

Government openness is a blessing, not a burden

March 12, 2013 in In the News
The Spokesman-Review (Spokane)
Source: 
The Spokesman-Review (Spokane)
Date: 
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Link: 
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/mar/12/editorial-government-openness-is-a-blessing-not-a/

Defend public records law

March 12, 2013 in In the News
The Daily Herald (Everett)
Source: 
The Daily Herald (Everett)
Date: 
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Link: 
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130312/OPINION01/703129953