Stakeholders warn against new taxes in proposed 2021-23 operating budget
Governor Jay Inslee has released his 2021-23 operating budget that increases spending from the prior biennium and includes a capital gains income tax proposal to cover some of that new spending. And...
View Article‘Free Markets Destroy’ campaign takes off
At a time when polls indicate young adults are embracing socialism in greater numbers, a new project from the Washington Policy Center touting the power of the free market has gained significant online...
View ArticleMaking the world safer for Washington innovators
High-tech innovators in Washington State have made our region a world leader in creating important new technologies. Supporting these innovators was one of my major goals during the years I spent in...
View ArticleLegislature announces remote testimony rules
Both the Washington State House and Senate have posted remote testimony rules for the upcoming 2021 legislative session. For government transparency advocates, it represents an important step to govern...
View ArticleSession 2021: Legislators examine taxes, business relief, rules
Before state revenues increased unexpectedly to record levels in the latter part of 2020, it seemed the 2021 legislative session would focus on addressing a significant budget deficit. Now the...
View ArticleStakeholders discourage “pay later,” propose wildfire account
As last year’s wildfire season rapidly escalated into one of the most destructive in the past decade, some state officials and lawmakers believe it’s time to change strategy on how to not only suppress...
View ArticleRemoving credit data from insurance plans will increase rates, critics say
A group of Democrat Senators have introduced a bill at the request of Governor Jay Inslee and Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler that would make it illegal to use a person’s credit report to set...
View ArticleInslee envisions “new normal” in Washington
In a pre-recorded State of the State speech to the legislature broadcasted Jan. 13, Governor Jay Inslee outlined his vision for what he called a “new normal” in Washington, and legislators are divided...
View ArticleLCFS, round 4
For the past four consecutive legislative sessions, lawmakers have introduced proposals to impose a low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) in Washington state. This session, HB 1091 sponsored by Rep. Joe...
View ArticleAs Inslee pushes income tax, shift in messaging to attract out of state...
Part of the debate over Governor Jay Inslee’s proposed nine percent capital gains income tax, as with other prior proposals, is whether it is in fact an income tax and therefore subject to state...
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