Washington Policy Center

Washington Policy Center YP Director Marissa Gaston rounds up this month's policy stories including local income tax bans, school district efforts to halt Critical Race Theory and more.

Co-hosted by YP Director Marissa Gaston and YP Coordinator Robyn Antoine, YP's June podcast features a discussion on vaccine policies in Washington state with WPC Small Business Center Director and former state representative Mark Harmsworth.

YP Director Marissa Gaston sits down with YP Advisory Board member Scott Hedgecock and local wealth advisor Mike Wehner to discuss Washington state’s Long-Term Care Trust Act and the new payroll tax – 58 cents for every $100 earned – that it imposes on all W-2 workers.

Hosted by YP Director Marissa Gaston, YP’s April podcast features a discussion on forests and free market environmentalism with TimberRise founder and YP Advisory Board Chairman Carson Bowlin and PERC Policy Director Hannah Downey.

Real estate broker and YP Advisory Board member Chelsea Shapiro co-hosts with YP Director Marissa Gaston to discuss housing policy with Rep. Andrew Barkis.

YP's talk about the proposed income tax on capital gains and other issues dealing with the 2021 state legislative session.

This week we speak to Mark Harmsworth, the Director for the Center of Small Business at Washington Policy Center. He explains the impacts of COVID-19 on the state of the economy and small businesses in Washington state.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, health care was the most important policy issue for Americans. The coronavirus crisis has made health care all the more important to people in the United States. Listen to Dr. Roger Stark speak on his newly released book! You can order it here.

Killing Corona Virus with UV light. In this podcast episode learn how Seattle CEO of Electric Mirror, Jim Mischel, started Safeology, a new branch of his company that leverages the science of light to create, clean, coronavirus-free spaces. Tune in to learn more on how the products work, the power of free-markets, and tips for success for up and coming entrepreneurs.

Communications Director David Boze speaks with our Center of Environment Director, Todd Myers, on his recent blog linking data ignorance as a driving factor in Governor Inslee's restrictions for COVID.

It seems policy and public opinion are in daily flux for the education world. With it becoming more likely students will not be physically in classrooms for the Fall, Liv Finne breaks down the latest.

Join us as WPC's Healthcare Policy Analyst, Dr. Roger Stark, talks about the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our state's single-payer healthcare plans, and health care battle lines in the 2020 election.

This week we speak with Todd Myers, WPC's Director for the Environment. He discusses his lastest publications featured in the Wall Street Journal as well as the National Review.

Social distancing may keep us apart, but it doesn’t have to leave us disconnected. Until we can resume our in-person events, WPC hosts a special online webinar series every Wednesday at 10:00 am. Featured Speakers: Rep. Mike Chapman (D- Port Angeles) Rep. Alex Ybarra (R- Quincy)

We speak with Sen. Hans Zeiger on the housing crisis in Washington state and how that affects our economy in many ways.

In this weekly webinar recording, we will hear from Liv Finne, WPC's Director, Center for Education as well as Jason Mercier, WPC's Director, Center for Government Reform. If you would like to see our future webinar dates, please visit here.

Victor David Hanson spoke earlier this year at our Evening in the Dessert event in Palm Springs, Arizona. Hear his address here.

Nationwide, support for the idea of free-markets and capitalism is losing ground with younger generations. We are seeing an increasing trend toward socialist thinking – but it is reversible.   How can we convince young Americans that free markets offer solutions, not more problems? By introducing them to a fresh, bold and unexpected take on the power of the marketplace. Click here for more information about Free Markets Create. 

This was recorded live on February 25 as part of WPC's Virtual Solutions Series, a new weekly program meant to keep our supporters engaged and informed in this interesting time. The COVID-19 crisis has federal, state and local governments making key policy decisions. WPC researchers have been examining how the pandemic is impacting each of their areas of study and where appropriate, offering recommendations for reform.  In this online event, Dr. Stark will talk about his recommendations for expanding our health care capabilities and WPC’s Small Business Center Director Mark Harmsworth will discuss what reforms our state should enact to help small businesses weather this storm and recover quickly in the aftermath. You can find all of our future events here.

This week we speak with our own Todd Myers, Director of the Environment, on all things CO2. Is the carbon tax bill coming back? Why are we missing our CO2 targets? Why does spending more not always equal caring more? Listen and find out today!

This week we speak with our newly hired Director of the Center for Small Business, Mark Harmsworth. We discuss many topics making its way through the Washington Legislative session including enhanced surveillance on your driving, a freelance worker ban, and tightening regulations on small businesses across the state.

In this episode WPC’s Young Professionals Director, Miranda Hawkins, interviews mental health therapist and neurobiologist, Monte Regier. Tune in to learn how generosity can lift people up, create stronger markets, and improve lives!

An award winning business model that invites customers to be part of a “generosity experience”, helping people in need. This episode features WPC’s Young Professionals Director, Miranda Hawkins, and Martin Barrett, owner of Sozo Gifts in Seattle. Tune in to learn how businesses can create a unique experience for customers designed to foster moments of genuine enjoyment and relationship. Be sure to check out part 2 on the science behind generosity and it’s effect on the brain.

WPC’s Jason Mercier outlines income tax efforts in Washington state for the Michael Medved Show.

On today's podcast, we are joined by a passionate Liv Finne, and we discuss charter schools and a legislative memo that is currently in the legislature. This document looks to destroy some of the budget disparity that charter schools are facing to give these schools more resources to do more of their good work. We also talk about Liv's background in education and the charter school landscape in Washington State. Visit our website for additional details and show notes. 

The city of Spokane, Washington's second largest city, has been trending away from it's conservative Eastern Washington roots AND YET still found a way to have a historic year. Joining us is Chris Cargill, our Eastern Washington director.

With both Christmas and the Washington Legislative session around the corner, Jason Mercier breaks down all of the issues he would like to see addressed and why they're important.

Car tabs, I-976, North South Freeway... the transportation discussion has seen a lot of developments in the last few weeks. Mariya Frost joins us to break down these issues and give her own thoughts.

David Boze speaks with Dr. Roger Stark, a Health Care Policy Analyst at the Washington Policy Center, on his recent article in The Seattle Times and how homelessness is inexplicably linked to the mental health crisis we are facing.

Reactions to a recent New York Times article on shifting perspectives on charter schools and why this could be the beginning of a new conversation for proponents. We are joined by Liv Finne, our Center for Education director, who has been following the charter schools conversation for the past several years across our state and nationally.

Mike Appleby, VP of Chicago Title, and Chelsea Shapiro, YP Board Member, discuss population trends, housing affordability, transportation, and regulations affecting the current and projected growth of the Puget Sound region.

Todd Myers speaks with David Boze on the recent reduction in wind power. Over the past 8 days, wind power has accounted for about .04% of the grid energy for Washington... what does this mean and is it a sustainable clean source?

Paul and Ashley discuss the rising and often unreasonable costs of homeownership in Washington State and why it affects Young Professionals.

Increased labor costs brought from government programs, sustainability measures and learning how to thrive in a market squeezed too thin dominated the panel discussion on Washington State University's campus at the Washington Policy Center Fall Farm Hall series. Event occurred on October 15, 2019.

Washington Policy Center Vice President for Research Paul Guppy shares his thoughts on the homeless issue in Seattle as part of a panel discussion with the Heritage Foundation.

With traffic congestion increasing rapidly there is rising frustration amongst Washington citizens, especially commuters. This episode of Washington Policy on the Go engages in a transparent discussion with Bryan Mistele, founder of INRIX. We dove into the various practical and innovative solutions that are available today and how we can tangibly support the implementation of said solutions. Ultimately, we landed on a few fundamental ways that average people can affect local policies and help shape the future of transportation.

At Washington Policy Center's Westside Breakfast on February 21st, WPC center directors briefed attendees on the ongoing 2019 legislative session.  Speakers included: Todd Myers, director of WPC's Center for the Environment Mariya Frost, director of WPC's Coles Center for Transportation Liv Finne, director of WPC's Center for Education Paul Guppy, WPC Vice President for Research  

WPC Young Professional's Director Miranda Hawkins interviews famed UW scientist Cliff Mass on the policy implications of putting science ahead of politics. 

Newly elected WPC Young Professionals Board Chairman Carsten Belanich interviews WPC's Coles Center for Transportation Director Mariya Frost about the current challenges and concerns for the future of Washington state's transportation system.

WPC's Communications Director David Boze sits down with Jason Mercier, WPC's Center for Government Reform director (and budget guru) to discuss Governor Inslee's proposed budget.  It's the first episode truly "on the go" in that it was recorded while Jason was being driven to the airport. 

WPC's Young Professionals Director Miranda Hawkins talks with Seattle free-market activist Saul Spady about business, capitalism and Seattle.  

This episode of Washington Policy on the Go features WPC Young Professionals Director Miranda Hawkins talking with documentary filmmaker Chris Rufo about his investigation of the homeless crisis in and around Seattle.