Publications

All published Publications, most recent first.

Washington Remains Near the Top in Business Tax Burden by WashACE - May 12, 2008: The Council on State Taxation recently released its sixth annual report comparing businesses tax burden across the 50 states.

House and Senate Turn Attention to the 2008 Supplemental Budget by WRC - Mar 10, 2008

2007 Buildable Lands Process Part II: County Results by WRC - Jan 16, 2008: Part 2 of Two Parts

2007 Buildable Lands Process Part I: An Improving But Still Imprecise Tool by WRC - Jan 15, 2008: Part 1 of Two Parts

Governor Gregoire's Supplemental Budget Would Boost Spending by $234 Million by WRC - Jan 14, 2008

Seattle's Business Taxes Are a Competitiveness Issue by WRC - Dec 10, 2007: The increasing suburbanization of employment presents a fiscal challenge to the City of Seattle. The City gets more than one half of its general tax revenue from taxes paid by businesses, and its business tax rates are significantly higher than the rates levied by suburban jurisdictions. These higher tax rates provide a disincentive to locate jobs in the city.

Gregoire Calls Special Session to Refly I-747 by WRC - Nov 28, 2007: Updated post session.

Referendum 67 Would Allow Punitive Damages in Insurance Lawsuits by WRC - Oct 22, 2007: In November, Washington voters will decide whether to approve or reject R-67, a referendum on legislation that would allow policy holders to sue their insurance companies for treble damages whenever a claim has been denied.

Recent Fiscal Trends for the City of Seattle by WRC - Oct 10, 2007: Right now the city is enjoying a boom. If the past is any guide, a bust will surely follow. Restraint today, will reduce the need for more painful cuts when the economy turns.

Fasten Your Seatbelts by WashACE - Oct 09, 2007: Even if the state does skirt recession, the mortgage meltdown and its contagion to other markets will have fiscal consequences for the state.

Simple Majority by WRC - Oct 05, 2007: In November, Washington voters will decide whether to approve or reject EHJR 4202, a constitutional amendment that would allow property tax levies for public school operations to pass by simple majority.

Looking Forward to a Rainy Day in November by WRC - Sep 28, 2007: In November, Washington voters will decide whether to approve or reject SJR 8206, a constitutional amendment that would establish a "rainy day fund."

Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Quash Initiative 960, Measure Moves to the November Ballot by WRC - Sep 11, 2007: This brief was updated on 9/25/07.

Senate and House Head Towards a Compromise Budget by WRC - Apr 17, 2007: Both the house and the senate have passed 2007-09 budgets that spend more than $33.3 billion. Both budgets spend $1.3 billion more than expected revenue and make spending commitments that are not sustainable beyond the 2007–09 biennium In addition, both budgets leave too little in reserve for this point in the revenue cycle.

Trends in State Spending by WashACE - Mar 28, 2007: Writing budgets involves making choices, and the choices made implicitly reveal the priorities of budget writers. Based on the spending trends, the highest priorities in recent years have been in human services.

Two New Reports on Business Taxes by WRC - Mar 08, 2007: Two reports came out this month that illuminate the unique tax structure faced by Washington businesses. These two reports are must reads for anyone interested in understanding how Washington’s tax system helps to shape the state’s business climate.

One Thing You Can Count on in Olympia is a Rainy Day by WRC - Feb 28, 2007: The senate recently forwarded to the house a proposed constitutional amendment to create a “rainy day fund." If approved by the house and by voters in November, the state would set aside 1 percent of general state revenues each year to be saved for use in the event of a recession. The fund would alleviate some of the strain put on government resources during a recession and help avoid tax increases.

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