| TITLE |
AUTHOR |
DATE |
SUMMARY |
 Washington's Prosperity Depends on Vibrant Tech Sector |
WRC
|
10/25/2012
|
|
| A Complex Maze of State and Local Laws and Regulations |
WRC
|
10/24/2012
|
A recent performance audit by the state auditor shows that efforts to reform the state’s regulatory system have produced uneven results. Agencies should communicate regulatory information to business better, and they should do more to streamline regulations.
|
| Labor Costs in Washington |
WRC
|
10/22/2012
|
Policy-driven employment costs are a concern for employers. In Washington, unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation are costly compared to other states. Washington also has the country’s highest minimum wage, a costly prevailing wage law, unusual paid family leave legislation, and a municipal paid sick leave ordinance.
|
| Great Recession and Not So Great Recovery: Job Losses and Gains by Sector |
WRC
|
10/9/2012
|
|
| Initiative 1240: Improving Education Options with Charter Schools |
WRC
|
10/3/2012
|
|
| Initiative 1240: Improving Education Options with Charter Schools |
WRC
|
10/3/2012
|
|
| Initiative 1185: Reaffirming a Supermajority Requirement for Tax Increases |
WRC
|
9/28/2012
|
I-1185 would again require a two-thirds legislative supermajority vote for tax increases. Washington voters have approved the requirement four times previously.
|
| The Economic Contribution of Washington State's Petroleum Refining Industry in 2011 |
WRC
|
8/23/2012
|
|
| Cost Study on Business Tax Burden |
WRC
|
8/22/2012
|
|
| Characteristics of a Healthy Business Climate |
WRC
|
6/26/2012
|
There is no “best business climate,” but common features in nine recent business climate rankings could help guide policymakers in the coming legislative session.
|
| Implementing Washington's Health Benefit Exchange |
WRC
|
6/20/2012
|
During this year’s session, the legislature passed a bill furthering implementation of the state’s health benefit exchange. Some key provisions of the bill concern essential health benefits, insurance commissioner authority, market rules, and self-sustainability.
|
| Five Keys to Evaluating a Tax System |
WRC
|
6/14/2012
|
|
| The Way We’re Taxed: A Brief History |
WRC
|
5/29/2012
|
|
| Increasing the 2011-13 Capital Budget |
WRC
|
5/24/2012
|
The 2012 supplemental capital budget, in contrast with the operating budget supplemental, increases 2011–13 appropriations. The supplemental adds $1.075 billion, including bonding authority of $512.3 million.
|
| Increased Federal Tax on Sales of Partnerships Will Cost Washington Jobs and Income |
WRC
|
5/22/2012
|
|
| Balancing the Operating Budget |
WRC
|
5/14/2012
|
Legislation enacted at the end of the first special session requires the legislature to enact a four-year balanced operating budget beginning in 2013–15. It also requires that regular budget outlooks be prepared.
|
| A Small Step for Public Pension Reform |
WRC
|
5/11/2012
|
At the end of the first special session, the legislature enacted some reforms to public employee pensions. 2ESB 6378 reduces subsidized early retirement benefits for new employees and lowers the assumed rate of return of pension investments.
|
| Changes to Public School Employee Health Insurance Coverage |
WRC
|
5/4/2012
|
During the second special session, the legislature adopted changes to public school employee health benefits coverage. The enacted legislation emphasizes data gath-ering and does not consolidate benefits purchasing.
|
| Repealing I-728, Grading Teachers, and Other 2012 Education Reforms |
WRC
|
4/26/2012
|
A key education reform—repeal of Initiative 728—was passed as part of the final budget compromise, and other reforms, including strengthened evaluations for teachers and principals, were passed during the regular session.
|
| Legislature Closes the 2011-13 Budget Gap, At Last |
WRC
|
4/20/2012
|
As passed by the legislature, the second 2012 supplemental budget reduces policy spending by $295 million, increases revenues by $178 million, makes other resource changes totaling $263 million, and leaves $319 million in reserve.
|
| Comparing House and Senate Supplemental Budgets |
WRC
|
3/8/2012
|
|
| House Ways & Means Chair's Proposed 2012 Supplemental |
WRC
|
2/24/2012
|
|
| Nation's Seventh-Best Business Climate? |
WRC
|
2/3/2012
|
|
| The First 2012 Supplemental Budget |
WRC
|
2/1/2012
|
|
| Machinery & Equipment Exemption Key to Keeping Jobs in Washington |
WRC
|
1/30/2012
|
|
| The Drag of Unfunded Commitments |
WRC
|
1/24/2012
|
|
