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.
Publications
Price Controls Threaten Popular Drug Discount Program
Paul Guppy, Vice President for Research
, February, 2007We have all heard the saying if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Well that is exactly what Congress is planning to do to the new Medicare drug benefit. The House of Representatives just passed H.R. 4, which says the Secretary of Health and Human Services "shall negotiate" prices for the Medicare Part D drug program.
The Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement
Hallie Hostetter, Research Assistant & Carl Gipson, Director, Center for Small Business
, February, 2007Today, you can purchase shoes from New York, beef from Texas, and surfboards from California all through the power of the World Wide Web. But local taxing jurisdictions are faced with the dilemma of how to deal with out-of-state sales and use taxes when it comes to purchasing goods over the Internet.
Small Businesses May Need a Good Defense this Legislative Session
Carl Gipson, Director, Center for Small Business
, January, 2007It is said that the best offense is a good defense. While that adage may aid the Sonics and Seahawks, for business owners that care about staying in the game of public policy, it fails to hold true. Playing continual defense is bad for small businesses because surviving, not winning, becomes the goal.
The Washington Policy Center Tax Cut Plan
Paul Guppy, Vice President for Research
, January, 2007As lawmakers meet in Olympia for the 2007 Session, their first responsibility is to draft a budget for the next two years, one that serves the best interests of the people of our state. Unlike past years, this session lawmakers control a budget surplus of about $2 billion. That means elected leaders are collecting far more money from citizens than they need to fund government programs. The surplus represents a large tax overpayment – the amount is enough to cut a check worth $416 for every adult in the state.
Five Principles of Responsible Government
Paul Guppy, Vice President for Research
, January, 2007As legislators convene to write a new two-year budget, decide what to do with a $2 billion surplus and address a host of other pressing issues, it is important for lawmakers to keep basic principles in mind to help them make good decisions in the best interest of our state. To guide legislators as they work to serve the common good, Washington Policy Center proposes five principle of responsible government.
State Lawmakers Should Return The Extra Money They Are Taking From Taxpayers
Paul Guppy, Vice President for Research
, December, 2006This holiday season most of us are hoping to see a Christmas bonus from the boss. The state Legislature could provide another kind of bonus. Lawmakers now control a budget surplus – that is, tax money they have collected beyond what is needed to fund the government – of almost $2 billion. That’s enough to cut a check worth $416 for every adult in the state.
Public Financing of Judicial Campaigns - The Worst of All Worlds
William R. Maurer, Adjunct Scholar
, November, 2006The Washington Constitution recognizes the people’s right to determine who represents us in government, including the judicial branch. Under the Washington Constitution, the voters – not the other branches of government – determine the make-up of our courts and most other statewide offices. To facilitate the people’s ability to make informed political decisions, the constitution also provides greater protections for free speech than those in the federal First Amendment. These traditions have served us well for over 100 years. Unfortunately, they may be at risk from a new and dangerous proposal to fund judicial campaigns using taxpayer money.
Getting to the Bottom of Initiative 920
Carl Gipson, Director, Center for Small Business
, October, 2006The estate tax has been controversial in Washington state since its inception in 1901. Opponents call it the "death tax," because a person is not assessed the tax until they have passed away - the only tax levied on a person who is never going to be around to pay the bill. Initiative 920 would repeal the state estate tax.
The Seattle Street Repair Tax, Phase 1
Paul Guppy, Vice President for Research
, October, 2006This November, the people of Seattle will be voting on a special levy proposal from Mayor Greg Nickels and the City Council that increases the city property tax to help pay for repair of city streets and a number of other services.
Guide to Initiative 920
Carl Gipson, Policy Analyst
, October, 2006In November, voters will again have the opportunity to repeal the Washington estate tax by voting on Initiative 920. The estate tax, sometimes called the “death tax,” has been a politically sensitive issue in the century since our state and the federal government imposed the first permanent estate taxes in the early 1900s.