http://www.researchcouncil.org daily 1 2007-04-05T17:44:41Z http://www.researchcouncil.org/washace-publications/medicalcosts.pdf The state must control health care costs, which are growing at an unsustainable rate. The state should emulate the private sector and increase the share of costs borne directly by employees. With regard to health care provided to low-income individuals, the state should prioritize services and eliminate those with the least value. No publisher npsadmin 2007-01-04T22:07:02Z Publication http://www.researchcouncil.org/washace-publications/WashACEsintaxBrief.pdf Taxes on cigarettes, liquor, beer, wine, soda, candy, gum and gambling are not a sustainable solution to the state’s structural budget gap. Modeling with the WRC/REMI model of the Washington economy indicates that a package of sin taxes generating $783 million in the upcoming biennium would cost the state on the order of 3,000 jobs by 2010. No publisher npsadmin 2007-01-22T17:50:36Z Publication http://www.researchcouncil.org/washace-publications/WashACETaxBriefJan05.pdf A strong recovery depends on rekindling growth in critical sectors of the state’s economy that continue to suffer lingering effects of the recession. Any increase in the burden of taxes on these businesses will reduce their likelihood of growing in Washington. No publisher npsadmin 2007-01-04T22:13:03Z Publication http://www.researchcouncil.org/washace-publications/mandates.pdf The preponderance of evidence indicates that the buildup of health care mandates has caused insurance premiums to rise. The state should require independent cost-benefit analysis before issuing any new mandates. Similar cost-benefit analysis should be required as part of a sunset review of existing mandated benefits. Finally, the state should permit insurers to issue a basic insurance plan that provides standard coverage, unburdened by costly and unconventional mandates. No publisher npsadmin 2007-01-04T21:46:06Z Publication http://www.researchcouncil.org/washace-publications/unemploymenti.pdf The 2003 unemployment insurance reform legislation improved the balance in a system that had imposed the nation’s highest employer UI taxes, combining extraordinary benefits with lax enforcement standards. Now, fewer than two years later and before the reforms have taken full effect, reform opponents want to revisit the legislation, contending it went too far. It did not. Now is not the time to retreat from the commitment made in 2003 to a stronger economy and a secure UI program. No publisher npsadmin 2007-01-04T21:51:19Z Publication