Podcast appearances and mentions of Washington Policy Center

Ryan Frost of the Washington Policy Center spent 15 years working on public pension policy and argues Washington lawmakers deliberately included public pensions in the new income tax, not because they reach the $1 million deduction threshold, but because that threshold can be lowered at any time without another vote. He says voting yes on Initiative 645 would repeal the tax. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-why-lawmakers-are-going-after-your-pension/ #Initiative645 #WashingtonState #IncomeTax #PublicPension #TaxPolicy #Opinion #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Retirement #ClarkCounty #Politics

Ryan Frost of the Washington Policy Center argues that promises of voter control over Washington's new income tax are misleading. A House amendment requiring a referendum before any threshold change was voted down 45-51, yet senators continue telling voters they will "always have the final say." https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-dont-fall-for-the-illusion-of-voter-control-on-income-tax-expansion-2/ #WashingtonState #IncomeTax #TaxPolicy #VoterRights #WashingtonPolitics #Opinion #WashingtonPolicyCenter

Washington Policy Center's Elizabeth New (Hovde) argues that collective-bargaining sessions between the Ferguson administration and WFSE are shielded from public view by state law, leaving rank-and-file workers and taxpayers unable to evaluate whether proposed compensation agreements are truly fair. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-wfse-demands-a-fair-contract-but-workers-and-taxpayers-cant-see-the-numbers/ #WFSE #StateBudget #WashingtonState #CollectiveBargaining #Transparency #PublicSectorUnions #Opinion #WashingtonPolicyCenter #ClarkCounty #StateworkerContract ---

Seattle public safety is facing renewed scrutiny after three separate shootings in the Belltown neighborhood left three people dead and three others injured, with no arrests announced in connection with the killings at the time of this episode. Seattle Police Officers Guild President Kent Lou is now calling for broader changes to Seattle's criminal justice system, arguing that adding police officers alone will not solve the city's crime problems without consequences for repeat offenders, functioning jails, prosecutors and judges working alongside law enforcement. Lou says Seattle police officers repeatedly encounter difficulties booking suspects into jail and argues the city's revolving-door criminal justice system is making it harder for officers to address repeat crime. He is also calling for stronger action against illegal street takeovers, including vehicle seizures and expanded use of surveillance cameras. The criticism comes as Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson responds to the deadly Belltown weekend. Wilson says Seattle Police Department data show shootings and homicides remain at their lowest levels in a decade and says her administration will soon unveil a comprehensive gun violence prevention strategy. The mayor's office also responded to criticism over Seattle's surveillance camera policy. Wilson paused camera expansion pending a data security and privacy audit after cameras were temporarily used during the FIFA World Cup. The Seattle Police Officers Guild is questioning why those cameras aren't currently operating around Seattle's stadium district. Also on Washington in Focus Daily: More than $100 million in federal funding has gone toward the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, or LEAD, model that originated in Seattle and King County and has since been replicated around the country. Washington Policy Center researcher Eric Zimmerman is calling for Congress to pause additional LEAD funding and scrutinize claims about the program's effectiveness. Zimmerman has challenged statistics used to promote LEAD's success, including recidivism data, and argues policymakers need stronger evidence before committing additional taxpayer dollars. LEAD co-founder Lisa Daugaard disputes attempts to connect the diversion program to Washington's broader homelessness and drug overdose problems, arguing LEAD has produced successful outcomes even as Seattle and Washington struggle with larger homelessness, addiction and public safety challenges. Finally, Washington high school wrestler Kallie Keeler and her mother are taking their girls sports and Title IX case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Alliance Defending Freedom has filed an emergency motion seeking protections before the upcoming wrestling season. Keeler and her mother are asking for advance notice if she is scheduled to compete against a transgender opponent so that her family can decide whether she participates in the match. Washington in Focus Daily breaks down Seattle's deadly Belltown shootings, Mayor Katie Wilson's public safety response, criticism from the Seattle Police Officers Guild, Seattle surveillance cameras, the $100 million LEAD diversion controversy, federal taxpayer funding, homelessness and drug policy, and the Washington girls wrestling case now before the Ninth Circuit. #Seattle #SeattleCrime #SeattlePolice #KatieWilson #SeattleNews #PublicSafety #Belltown #LEAD #WashingtonState #WashingtonNews #GirlsSports #TitleIX #NinthCircuit #WashingtonPolitics #TheCenterSquare Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Washington Policy Center's Ryan Frost documents how the Seattle Times editorial board spent months condemning Olympia's out-of-control spending, then urged voters to reject I-645, which would repeal the new state income tax. Frost argues lawmakers should be pressed to defend an $80.2 billion two-year budget and find room for tax relief within existing revenue. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-seattle-times-editorial-board-makes-excuses-for-the-budget-failures-it-condemns/ #Opinion #I645 #WashingtonStateBudget #IncomeTax #TaxPolicy #Olympia #WashingtonPolicy #SeattleTimes #StateBudget #Politics

Pam Lewison of the Washington Policy Center argues the White House plan to allow 300,000 metric tons of tariff-free ground beef imports will depress cattle markets during a critical sales season, force ranchers to sell more cattle than they want, and do little to lower grocery bills for American consumers. Six major agriculture organizations, including the NCBA and the American Farm Bureau Federation, have united in opposition. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-ground-beef-imports-are-a-no-win-plan-for-consumers-producers/ #GroundBeef #AgriculturePolicy #CattleProducers #BeefPrices #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Opinion #FarmPolicy #USAgriculture #Ranchers #FoodPrices

Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center argues the 2001 Roadless Rule is hampering efforts to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk in federal forests. In the Pacific Northwest, more than half of roadless areas fall in high or very high wildfire hazard zones, and the average fire in those areas burns more than double the acreage of fires on other Forest Service lands. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-wildfire-risk-demands-a-more-flexible-approach-to-roadless-areas/ #WildfireRisk #RoadlessRule #ForestManagement #WashingtonState #PacificNorthwest #PublicLands #Opinion #WashingtonPolicyCenter #ClarkCountyToday

Washington Policy Center's Ryan Frost presents six charts showing state spending grew 148% from 2013 to 2025, far outpacing 112% revenue growth. Even with billions in new taxes, the gap persists, and a roughly $7 billion shortfall could emerge by 2027. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-six-charts-that-explain-washingtons-budget-problem/ #WashingtonState #StateBudget #TaxPolicy #WashingtonPolicyCenter #FiscalPolicy #Opinion #ClarkCounty #Politics #StateSpending #BudgetShortfall

Washington Policy Center's Elizabeth New (Hovde) argues Seattle's 50,000 students shouldn't be bargaining chips in a labor dispute. She examines teacher compensation, the legal status of public employee strikes in Washington, and Senate Bill 6134's unanimous passage requiring UI overpayment warnings for striking workers. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-a-school-bell-should-not-be-a-bargaining-chip/ #Opinion #SeattleSchools #TeacherStrike #WashingtonState #ClarkCounty #EducationPolicy #PublicEmployees #SEA #LaborDispute #SenBill6134

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center examines a federal warning to Washington's Employment Security Department: enforce work-search rules for striking workers or risk losing federal funding and employer tax credits under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act. More than half a million dollars have already gone to striking workers since January. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-striking-workers-are-now-expected-to-seek-work-like-others/ #Opinion #UnemploymentInsurance #WashingtonState #LaborPolicy #StrikingWorkers #SB5041 #WorkerRights #ClarkCounty #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Politics

Washington State posted the second-largest net outflow of house hunters among the nation's 100 largest metros in Q1 2026, per Redfin. IRS data shows a net loss of nearly 19,000 taxpayers and $1.66 billion in adjusted gross income between 2021 and 2022. Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center examines what the moving data actually says about housing costs, taxes, and who is leaving. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washingtonians-are-voting-with-the-moving-truck/ #Opinion #WashingtonState #Migration #HousingCosts #Taxes #WashingtonPolicyCenter

A legal battle is underway in Pierce County over a proposed charter amendment that would make the county sheriff an appointed rather than elected position. Sheriff Keith Swank opposes the proposal, while former Washington State Auditor Brian Sonntag and other plaintiffs are suing in an effort to keep the amendment off the November ballot. Swank is also speaking out about an encounter with Seattle interim Police Chief Andre Sales at a recent law enforcement graduation ceremony. Swank says he interpreted Sales' comments as a challenge to fight, while the Seattle Police Department disputes Swank's recollection of the conversation. Meanwhile, Washington's WA Cares long-term care program is facing renewed scrutiny. Washington Policy Center's Elizabeth New is raising questions about the example used during Gov. Bob Ferguson's June launch event, while SEIU 775 says the criticism is based on a "made up issue" and that the caregiver featured was illustrating the type of care WA Cares can provide. Finally, the legal fight surrounding Initiative 645 and its public investment impact disclosure takes another turn. Government transparency advocate Arthur West is now suing the Washington State Republican Party and GOP Chairman Jim Walsh for defamation as the broader battle over the income tax repeal initiative continues. Watch Washington in Focus Daily for the latest on Washington politics, public safety, taxes, government accountability and the November election. #Washington #WAPolitics #PierceCounty #KeithSwank #Seattle #WACares #BobFerguson #IncomeTax #WashingtonPolitics #Election2026 #PublicSafety #GovernmentAccountability #TheCenterSquare Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

PHONE GUEST - TODD MYERS - WASHINGTON POLICY CENTER, The forest is burning. The roadless rule is making it worse.“It is like saying gasoline isn’t a fire risk because the fire starts with on the match, not the gasoline.” // Recapping John’s bittersweet Ocean City Family Reunion // LETTERS

Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center argues that the U.S. Forest Service's consideration of rescinding the roadless rule is driven by wildfire risk, not timber revenue, pointing to the 136,000-acre Little Giant Fire burning through two roadless areas filled with heavy dead and down fuels. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-forest-is-burning-the-roadless-rule-is-making-it-worse/ #RoadlessRule #Wildfire #ForestManagement #WashingtonState #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Opinion #FireSeason #FederalLands #ForestPolicy #PacificNorthwest

Washington Policy Center's Mark Harmsworth pushes back on a Seattle Times column that framed Microsoft's $18.7 billion and Amazon's $17.4 billion federal tax reductions as corporate greed, arguing those companies anchor Puget Sound's $607 billion gross regional product and support hundreds of thousands of Washington jobs. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-wishing-away-washingtons-economic-engines-is-policy-malpractice/ #WashingtonState #TaxPolicy #Microsoft #Amazon #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Opinion #SmallBusiness #Economy

Washington State's Department of Ecology discovered their cap-and-trade emissions numbers were off by a staggering 86% — and were ready to issue a correction. Governor Bob Ferguson's office said no. Axios is now reporting that Ferguson's team sat on that correction for weeks, raising serious questions about why a governor who tightly controls state communications decided the public could just wait.The error isn't trivial. The Climate Commitment Act's entire policy premise rests on accurate emissions data — and Washington drivers have been paying some of the highest gas prices in the nation tied directly to those projections. When it took a Washington Policy Center analyst flagging that the math simply doesn't math to surface this, that's not a communications hiccup. That's an executive-level transparency failure with a real cost to every driver at the pump.Sean draws a pointed parallel to the Bite of Seattle shooting incident, where authorities waited five hours to warn the public about an active shooter — reportedly while holding for dignitaries to clear the venue. Two separate delays, same instinct: control the narrative first, inform the public second. Whether it's a murderer on the loose or an 86% error in your marquee climate law, the pattern around Big Bob is getting hard to ignore.Subscribe to @reasonablenews for daily news commentary that cuts through the noise — and hit the notification bell so you never miss a scoop.#NFRP #BobFerguson #WashingtonState

Washington Policy Center's Elizabeth New (Hovde) argues that Washington's Paid Family and Medical Leave program disproportionately benefits higher-income workers, with top earners using it at 19% of all claims compared to 8% for the lowest wage group. The payroll tax, now at 1.13%, is projected to hit its 1.2% cap by 2027. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-workers-need-their-wages-more-than-the-states-paid-leave-program-does/ #PFML #PaidLeave #WashingtonState #WorkerRights #LaborPolicy #PayrollTax #Opinion #Politics #WashingtonPolicyCenter #ClarkCounty

Ryan Frost, director of budget and tax policy for the Washington Policy Center, told a Vancouver audience that Washington's new 9.9% income tax applies to every resident, not just millionaires, and that the $1 million deduction could be erased by a simple legislative majority vote. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/washington-policy-center-tax-expert-warns-that-new-income-tax-will-affect-everyone/ #WashingtonState #IncomeTax #Initiative645 #TaxPolicy #WashingtonPolicyCenter #ClarkCounty #Vancouver #StateBudget #Politics

At WA Cares' June 30 launch, Gov. Bob Ferguson spotlighted an 87-year-old woman's existing caregiving arrangement, but WA Cares benefits didn't begin until the following day. Washington Policy Center's Elizabeth New (Hovde) examines the eligibility gates, a roughly 50% denial rate among early applicants, and the distinction between WA Cares and Washington's existing Medicaid long-term-care system. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-wa-cares-launch-showcased-care-wa-cares-did-not-provide/ #WACares #WashingtonState #LongTermCare #Opinion #HealthCare #Medicaid #PayrollTax #WashingtonPolicyCenter #ClarkCounty #Politics

Charles Prestrud of the Washington Policy Center examines Puget Sound transit data showing a 31% drop in passenger-miles from 2015 to 2024, even as the region's population grew by more than a half million. Transit funding rose from $2.6 billion to over $4.7 billion in that same period, yet light rail carries less than 1% of regional trips today. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-transit-ridership-trends-are-dismal-but-regional-plans-are-oblivious/ #Opinion #Transportation #SoundTransit #LightRail #PugetSound #TransitPolicy #WashingtonPolicyCenter #PublicTransit #WashingtonState #PacificNorthwest

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is facing a recall effort as criticism grows over public safety, the city's response to the Bite of Seattle shooting and the resignation of Police Chief Shawn Barnes. Seattle Police Guild President Kent Loux reacts to the filing and calls it a potential “wake-up call” for the mayor's office. Meanwhile, Seattle's LEAD diversion program is facing renewed scrutiny following a Washington Policy Center analysis questioning claims surrounding the program's results. Loux weighs in on whether diversion programs provide enough accountability for drug-related crime. Washington's parental rights debate is also attracting national attention as voters prepare to decide Initiative 26-001 in November. Parents Rights in Education Executive Director Suzanne Gallagher explains why her organization is watching Washington's fight over parental involvement in schools. And the battle over Washington's new income tax continues as the state Supreme Court expedites a challenge involving the ballot language for Initiative 645. The Washington GOP and former Supreme Court Justice Richard Sanders are weighing in as the court prepares to consider the appeal. It's all on today's Washington in Focus Daily. #Seattle #KatieWilson #SeattleMayor #SeattleCrime #SeattlePolice #PublicSafety #WashingtonState #WashingtonPolitics #WashingtonNews #LEADProgram #ParentalRights #WashingtonSchools #IncomeTax #WashingtonIncomeTax #IncomeTaxRepeal #Initiative645 #WASupremeCourt #Election2026 #WashingtonInFocus #CenterSquare Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson is facing a recall challenge as questions continue to mount over public safety, the deadly Bite of Seattle shooting and the resignation of former Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes. Two Seattle residents filed recall charges accusing Wilson of failing to fulfill her responsibilities on public safety. The mayor's office says the effort does not appear to have merit and that Wilson remains focused on making Seattle safer and more affordable. Also, scrutiny of Seattle's LEAD crime diversion program continues following a Washington Policy Center analysis challenging claims about the program's results. We Heart Seattle founder Andrea Suarez shares her criticism of LEAD and describes what she says she's witnessed firsthand on Seattle's streets. Finally, Washington State Rep. Jenny Graham speaks out after losing her home in the devastating Spokane fires. Graham is questioning election rules she says prevent her from reaching out to constituents during the emergency and is calling for a special legislative session as questions grow about Washington's handling of the accused arsonist. We're breaking down the latest developments from Seattle, Spokane and across Washington state on Washington in Focus Daily. #Seattle #SeattleNews #KatieWilson #SeattleMayor #SeattleRecall #SeattlePolitics #SeattlePolice #PublicSafety #LEAD #SeattleCrime #WashingtonNews #WashingtonPolitics #Spokane #SpokaneFires #JennyGraham #BobFerguson #WashingtonState #WashingtonInFocus #CenterSquare Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Seattle's public safety policies are facing renewed scrutiny as city leaders demand answers from Mayor Katie Wilson over the fallout from the Bite of Seattle shooting and the departure of former Police Chief Shon Barnes.   Seattle City Council members pressed the mayor's office over the roughly five-hour delay before the initial press conference following the deadly shooting and questioned the lack of information surrounding Barnes' resignation. Mayor Wilson has asked Seattle's Office of Inspector General to conduct a review.   Meanwhile, new scrutiny is surrounding Seattle's Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, or LEAD, program after a Washington Policy Center analysis challenged some claims about the program's success. LEAD co-creator Lisa Daugaard responds to the criticism and addresses questions about recidivism, employment and the goals of the diversion program.   Also in today's Washington In Focus Daily: the devastating Spokane wildfires have left more than 50 students at one elementary school without their homes just weeks before classes begin, while the Spokesman-Review faces a major newsroom shakeup after its executive editor was placed on administrative leave.   Watch Washington In Focus Daily for the latest on Seattle public safety, Washington politics, Spokane wildfire recovery and government accountability.   #Seattle #SeattleNews #SeattlePolitics #KatieWilson #SeattlePolice #SPD #PublicSafety #LEAD #Crime #WashingtonState #WashingtonNews #WashingtonPolitics #Spokane #SpokaneFires #WashingtonWildfires #CenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A new analysis is raising questions about the effectiveness of Seattle's LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) program, a model that has been replicated across Washington, the country and beyond. Washington Policy Center's Eric Zimmerman argues that some widely cited claims involving recidivism, arrests, employment and other outcomes may not be supported by the underlying research. We also turn to Washington's growing income tax repeal fight. At a Let's Go Washington campaign event, Olympia Master Builders President Gina Carlson explained why she believes the state's new 9.9% tax on income above $1 million could affect business owners, retirement planning and generational wealth. The episode also revisits concerns that future lawmakers could expand the tax to additional income levels. Finally, the race for Washington's 4th Congressional District moves toward November following the crowded August primary. Republican Amanda McKinney and her Democratic opponent discuss their competing visions for the heavily Republican Central Washington district as the general-election campaign begins. Washington in Focus Daily brings you the latest on Washington politics, public safety, taxes, elections and government accountability. #WashingtonState #WashingtonNews #WashingtonPolitics #Seattle #SeattleCrime #LEADProgram #PublicSafety #IncomeTax #IncomeTaxRepeal #WashingtonTaxes #I645 #WA04 #WashingtonElections #Election2026 #AmandaMcKinney #CenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ryan Frost of the Washington Policy Center examines how Judge Chris Lanese, while upholding the Public Investment Impact Disclosure for IP26-645, spent the hearing making the policy case for a more progressive tax code rather than testing whether the Attorney General met the law's neutrality requirement. The judge acknowledged the initiative makes no direct spending cuts, yet the disclosure tells voters it would decrease funding for schools and health care. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-judges-own-words-expose-the-bias-in-washingtons-income-tax-repeal-impact-disclosure/ #Opinion #WashingtonState #IncomeTax #PIID #TaxPolicy #BallotInitiative #WashingtonPolicyCenter #StateBudget

Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center argues that while lawmakers champion affordable housing, the Department of Health is raising fees on mobile home parks and temporary worker housing by as much as 250 percent, shifting the cost burden onto the residents least able to absorb it. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-when-politicians-say-one-thing-and-do-something-else/ #AffordableHousing #WashingtonState #MobileHomePark #HousingPolicy #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Opinion #ClarkCounty #RegulatoryCosts #SmallBusiness #FeeIncreases

Washington Policy Center's Elizabeth New (Hovde) examines how the WEA, the Washington Federation of State Employees, and relevant locals of SEIU each contributed $1 million to oppose IP26-645, the initiative to repeal Washington's income tax, while also opposing two other statewide measures this November. She argues public employers should give workers clear, neutral notice of their First Amendment right not to join or financially support a public union. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/uncategorized/opinion-dues-donts-unions-are-political-and-union-money-is-again-driving-opposition-to-initiatives/ #WashingtonState #UnionDues #BallotInitiatives #WorkerRights #WEA #SEIU #PublicUnions #FirstAmendment #Opinion #ClarkCounty

Donald Kimball of the Washington Policy Center argues that data centers are not driving up energy prices in Washington state. He points to regulations like the Clean Energy Transformation Act and the Climate Commitment Act as the real cost drivers, and calls for expanding energy production. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-do-data-centers-drive-up-energy-costs/ #DataCenters #EnergyPolicy #WashingtonState #CleanEnergyAct #UtilityCosts #Opinion #WashingtonPolicyCenter

Washington Policy Center's Ryan Frost and David Boze argue the Attorney General's public investment disclosure statement for the state income tax repeal misleads voters by citing impacts on schools and healthcare that the tax does not fund and has no appropriation to support. The income tax earmarks nothing for K-12, higher education, or healthcare — only 5% goes to the Fair Start for Kids Account beginning in 2029. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-misinformation-in-public-investment-disclosure-statement-for-state-income-tax-repeal/ #WashingtonState #IncomeTax #StateBudget #TaxPolicy #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Opinion #ClarkCounty #Politics #Initiative #PublicPolicy

IRS migration data for 2022-2023 shows King County lost roughly 13,000 residents through domestic migration, with outbound movers taking $8.7 billion in adjusted gross income while inbound residents brought only $6.7 billion. Washington Policy Center's Mark Harmsworth argues Seattle's tax and regulatory policies are driving the exodus. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-irs-data-shows-seattles-progressive-policies-are-driving-residents-and-business-away/ #Seattle #KingCounty #WashingtonState #IRSData #HousingAffordability #SmallBusiness #ProgressivePolicies #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Opinion #PacificNorthwest

Washington Policy Center's Todd Myers breaks down three claims about why Washington gas prices have climbed above $5 per gallon again. He argues the state's Climate Commitment Act adds roughly 52 cents per gallon, and that the Department of Ecology's denial of any link between carbon pricing and pump prices is contradicted by Ecology's own commissioned study. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-what-is-pushing-washingtons-gas-prices-above-5-again-two-truths-and-one-myth/ #WashingtonState #GasPrices #ClimateCommitmentAct #CCA #EnergyPolicy #Opinion #WashingtonPolicyCenter #CarbonTax #Politics #PacificNorthwest

Washington Policy Center's Ryan Frost examines three statistics Superintendent Chris Reykdal cited on Facebook to argue the state's tax structure, not spending, drives budget problems. Using OFM's own figures, Frost finds real tax burden per resident rose roughly 44% since 2004, the state wage bill grew about 150%, and employee headcount per resident is roughly the same as 20 years ago. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-what-the-states-own-data-says-about-superintendent-reykdals-budget-claims/ #WashingtonState #StateBudget #ChrisReykdal #Opinion #FiscalPolicy #Taxpayers #WashingtonPolicyCenter #GovernmentSpending #Columns #Politics

Washington business leaders are warning that rising taxes, regulations and economic uncertainty are making it increasingly difficult to grow and invest in the state. At the Association of Washington Business Economic Future Solutions Summit, executives from multiple industries described rising costs, expansion into neighboring states and concerns over Washington's long-term business climate. Also in this episode, a new estimate from the Washington Policy Center suggests replacing the electricity generated by the four Lower Snake River dams could cost more than $34 billion—far exceeding the cost of the state's new $800,000 study examining replacement options. The estimate does not include additional transportation or transmission infrastructure costs. Finally, Washington Supreme Court candidate Myers says attorneys and judges should embrace artificial intelligence as a productivity tool, provided that humans remain responsible for verifying information and making all final legal decisions. Watch Washington in Focus Daily for in-depth reporting on Washington politics, business, public policy, energy and the courts. #WashingtonBusiness #WashingtonPolitics #SnakeRiverDams #EnergyPolicy #SupremeCourt #ArtificialIntelligence #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Washougal resident Anthony Teso pushes back on a Washington Policy Center column, arguing that Senate Bill 5041 does not destabilize the unemployment trust fund and that striking workers drawing benefits are drawing on their own deferred wages, not employer funds. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-a-strike-is-the-withdrawal-of-labor-in-a-dispute-the-employer-co-produces-at-the-bargaining-table/ #Opinion #SB5041 #LaborRights #UnemploymentBenefits #WashingtonState #StrikingWorkers #ClarkCounty #Politics #Washougal #CollectiveBargaining ---

Since January, 138 striking workers have collected 642 weeks of unemployment benefits totaling nearly $506,000 under Washington's new law — and Washington Policy Center's Elizabeth New (Hovde) argues the employer-funded UI system was never designed to subsidize labor disputes. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-ui-fund-has-a-government-made-leak-harming-workers-and-their-employers/ #UnemploymentInsurance #WashingtonState #LaborPolicy #SB5041 #WorkersRights #EmployerTaxes #WashingtonPolicyCenter #ClarkCounty

We recently discussed how the non-farming public views what a farmer looks like in their mind and how it's not just older, white, male farmers out there. But, Washington Policy Center's Ag Director, Pam Lewison says the farming community is much more than that.

Washington's Small Business Optimism Index sits at 94.5 — four points below the national average. NFIB data show 19 percent of Washington owners cite labor costs as their top problem, more than double the 8.5 percent national rate, while government regulation and taxes also register far higher than peer states. Washington Policy Center's Mark Harmsworth breaks down what the numbers mean for workers, communities, and state revenue. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-nfib-report-shows-washington-small-businesses-are-feeling-the-pinch-of-labor-costs-regulations-and-high-taxes/ #WashingtonState #SmallBusiness #NFIB #LaborCosts #Taxes #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Olympia #BusinessPolicy #Opinion #Columns

Washington's June revenue forecast added $554 million to the current biennium but cut $461 million from 2027-29 projections — leaving only 2.5% budget capacity while projected inflation could reach 9.4% over two years. Ryan Frost of the Washington Policy Center argues the structural deficit is far from solved. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washingtons-budget-outlook-darkens-with-latest-revenue-forecast/ #WashingtonBudget #StateBudget #RevenueForcast #TaxPolicy #WashingtonState #FiscalPolicy #Opinion #WashingtonPolicyCenter

With WA Cares benefits set to launch, 61% of early applicants were denied — and family caregivers are being steered toward a union-linked employer with little transparency about costs, obligations, or alternatives. Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center says the state's communication failures are not accidental. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/wa-cares-ready-ish-to-launch-family-caregivers-remain-in-the-dark/ #WACares #LongTermCare #FamilyCaregivers #WashingtonState #HealthPolicy #SEIU775 #ClarkCounty #WashingtonPolicyCenter

The average Fourth of July cookout now costs about 4 percent more than last year, with West Coast families paying around $80 for a 10-person meal. But Pam Lewison of the Washington Policy Center notes farmers take home only about 6 cents of every dollar spent on that feast. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-fourth-of-july-cookout-costs-a-little-more-this-year/ #FourthOfJuly #FoodCosts #Agriculture #Inflation #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Opinion #IndependenceDay #Farming #AFBF #ClarkCountyToday

Washington's capital gains tax hauled in $1.5 billion in fiscal 2026 — $750 million above forecast — yet Ryan Frost of the Washington Policy Center argues that windfall covers less than 10% of the state's projected $7–$10 billion budget shortfall. Total state tax collections have more than doubled over the past decade, and the deficit persists. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-record-capital-gains-revenue-wont-solve-washingtons-budget-woes/ #WashingtonState #CapitalGainsTax #StateBudget #TaxPolicy #Olympia #BudgetDeficit #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Opinion

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center argues that Washington's rising payroll taxes, minimum wage mandates, and hostile signals to employers are shrinking the very opportunities workers need to build their futures. A recent Association of Washington Business survey found nearly one in four employers is considering leaving the state. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-more-employers-mean-more-opportunities-for-workers/ #WashingtonState #WorkerPolicy #EmployerPolicy #MinimumWage #WACaresFund #SmallBusiness #LaborPolicy #ClarkCounty #Opinion #WashingtonPolicyCenter

Washington Policy Center's Todd Myers breaks down why electricity rates are surging across Washington state — from Puget Sound Energy's proposed 30% increase over three years to Avista's 25% hike by 2030. Myers argues state climate mandates, not data centers, are the primary cost driver, with wind and solar carrying an effective cost nearly four times that of natural gas. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-dont-blame-ai-why-electricity-rates-are-rising-in-washington/ #WashingtonState #ElectricityRates #EnergyPolicy #CleanEnergyAct #PugetSoundEnergy #UtilityRates #ClimatePolicy #NaturalGas #RenewableEnergy #WashingtonPolicyCenter

Washington Policy Center's Ryan Frost breaks down the June revenue forecast showing state tax collections are $135.4 million below what lawmakers counted on — with employment 21,900 jobs short of projections and Seattle-area inflation at 4.9%. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washington-tax-collections-are-running-below-forecast-as-the-economy-softens/ #WashingtonState #StateBudget #TaxPolicy #RevenueShortfall #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Economy #Opinion

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center argues that the Trump administration's hospital price-transparency enforcement is appropriate — but insufficient. Most patients aren't comparison-shopping when insurers pay the bill, and Washington's certificate-of-need laws continue shielding hospitals from competition. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-hospital-price-transparency-is-good-but-its-impact-will-be-limited/ #HospitalPriceTransparency #HealthcareCosts #WashingtonState #HealthPolicy #CertificateOfNeed #ClarkCounty #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Opinion ---

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center argues Washington's Universal Health Care Commission is on a path toward a socialized system without examining free-market alternatives — and a June 18 meeting may shape that direction. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-trading-one-bad-healthcare-system-for-another-is-not-a-solution/ #UniversalHealthcare #WashingtonState #HealthcareReform #UHCC #FreemarketHealthcare #WashingtonPolicyCenter #ClarkCounty #SinglePayer #HealthPolicy #Opinion

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center argues that many public employees in Washington State don't know the 2018 Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court ruling made union membership entirely voluntary — and that dues of $1,000 or more per year are being deducted without full informed consent. WPC has created a one-page resource to close that awareness gap. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-new-resource-can-help-public-employees-understand-their-rights/ #Opinion #WorkerRights #PublicEmployees #JanusVAFSCME #WashingtonState #ClarkCounty #UnionDues #FirstAmendment #WashingtonPolicyCenter #LaborRights

Video Guest: Todd Myers - Washington Policy center: Prepare to see your energy bills skyrocket due to the CCA // Graham Platner Wins Maine Primary Despite Controversies // The socialist political operatives that recruited Platner // Rob Reiner’s son Nick seeks money from trust parents left him for his defense in their killings: Is this a “oh, hell no” or is he really innocent until proven guilty?

At a Washington Policy Center forum in Vancouver, state lawmakers Monica Stonier and April Berg faced off with WPC policy directors Mark Harmsworth and Elizabeth New over Washington's income tax, minimum wage, retail theft, and AI's impact on the workforce. A survey cited at the event found one in four businesses are considering leaving the state. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/business/wpc-forum-asks-if-washington-is-a-state-that-is-friendly-for-businesses-and-workers/ #WashingtonPolicyCenter #WashingtonState #SmallBusiness #MinimumWage #StateTax #AIWorkforce #Vancouver #ClarkCounty #Politics #Business

A spring 2026 AWB survey finds 24% of Washington employers actively considering leaving the state — nearly triple the rate from winter 2025. Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center examines the tax hikes, B&O surcharges, and regulatory pressures driving companies to Idaho, Utah, and Tennessee. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washingtons-business-exodus-accelerates-due-to-high-taxes-regulations-driving-companies-away/ #Opinion #WashingtonState #BusinessExodus #SmallBusiness #TaxPolicy #WashingtonPolitics #AWB #Economy #Regulations #Politics