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

Sun rising in House Rules Committee?

March 9, 2013 in Blog

Tomorrow (March 10) marks the beginning of National Sunshine Week - a time dedicated to celebrating the importance of the people's right to know and the need for strong open government laws. Judging from rumors in the House Rules Committee, the sun may continue to shine bright on Washington's landmark public records law.

SB 5851: Creating a Defined-contribution Retirement Plan Option for Public Employees

March 7, 2013 in Publications
By

Jason Mercier, Director, Center for Government Reform

, March, 2013

Introduction

A long-standing Washington Policy Center recommendation is that the state transition from costly defined-benefit pension plans to a stable defined-contribution retirement plan for new state employees. A defined-benefit plan promises workers they will receive a certain dollar benefit level every month after they retire, while a defined-contribution plan provides workers a stable contribution toward the pension during their working life, along with tax-free employee contributions, which the worker can draw from during retirement.

Previous voter-approved amendments adding supermajority requirements to the Constitution

March 6, 2013 in Blog

In the aftermath of last week's State Supreme Court ruling striking down the 20 year-old law requiring a 2/3 vote of the Legislature or voter approval to raise taxes, several of the policy's opponents have been trumpeting that the will of the majority will now be able to stand against the "tyranny of the minority."

Pension reform on Senate floor

March 6, 2013 in Blog

The Senate Rules Committee yesterday moved SB 5851 (Creating a defined contribution retirement plan option for public employees) to the Senate floor for a possible vote before cutoff. The bill would create a new optional defined contribution pension plan for current state workers and for new hires.

State Supreme Court on Two-Thirds for Taxes: Do it like Pierce County, Spokane

March 1, 2013 in Blog

The Washington State Supreme Court on Thursday validated the actions of voters in Pierce County and the city of Spokane, who have recently adopted two-thirds requirements for tax increases locally.

Time to add to the nearly two-dozen supermajority requirements currently in the state constitution

March 1, 2013 in Blog

While the vote on the proposed 2/3 for taxes constitutional amendment (SJR 8205) remains in question, should it be approved, the new supermajority requirement would be joining the nearly two dozen currently in the state constitution.