Podcast appearances and mentions of Washington Policy Center

NAEP's 2024 results report historic lows in 12th-grade math and reading and flat 8th-grade science. In a column, Vicki Murray of the Washington Policy Center cites concerns from federal officials and argues for urgent reforms and expanded educational options. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-naep-2024-american-students-score-historic-lows-in-math-reading-science/ #Opinion #WashingtonState #NAEP #Education #StudentAchievement #Reading #Math #Science #WAPolitics

6pm: Guest – Charles Prestrud – Director of the Cole center for Transportations at The Washington Policy Center // Charles has more than thirty years of transportation experience, including serving as WSDOT’s planning manager for King and Snohomish Counties. // Seattle mayor ruffles feathers over $30B Sound Transit budget woes, priorities // This Day in History: 1957 - Arkansas troops block “Little Rock Nine” from entering segregated high school // Conor McGregor officially announces his candidacy for President of Ireland

Two months after Congress created the nation's first federal tax-credit scholarship program, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has yet to decide if the state will opt in. Supporters, including Vicki Murray of the Washington Policy Center, say the program offers a win for students and taxpayers, while Ferguson has expressed skepticism. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/will-gov-ferguson-opt-wa-in-on-federal-tax-credits-for-school-choice/ #WashingtonState #SchoolChoice #EducationPolicy #TaxCreditScholarship #BobFerguson #WashingtonPolicyCenter #StudentScholarships #EducationFunding

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center criticizes Evergreen Public Schools' strike, calling it unlawful and harmful to families. She points to financial hardships, illegal strike precedent, and new unemployment benefits law as reasons lawmakers should rethink policy. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-back-to-school-season-comes-with-a-side-of-strike/ #Opinion #ElizabethNewHovde #EvergreenSchoolDistrict #ClarkCountyWA #SchoolStrike #WashingtonPolicyCenter #UnionStrikes #PublicSchools

Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center writes that uncontrolled homeless camps on city property undermine safety, businesses, and livability. He points to Camas' recent camping ban and stresses pairing enforcement with affordable housing, mental health, and addiction services to address root causes. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-unseen-costs-of-uncontrolled-homeless-camps-on-city-property/ #Opinion #MarkHarmsworth #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Homelessness #Camas #PublicSafety #AffordableHousing #AddictionTreatment #MentalHealth

Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center says Washington retailers should embrace cash, highlighting that 5.6 million U.S. households are unbanked. He cites local ordinances, national bipartisan legislation, and practical advantages like avoiding fees and ensuring access during outages. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-why-retailers-in-washington-should-embrace-cash/ #Opinion #MarkHarmsworth #WashingtonPolicyCenter #CashPayments #EconomicEquity #RetailAccess #Unbanked #SmallBusiness #InclusiveEconomy

Washington Policy Center's Director of Agriculture, Pam Lewison says last year's slight decline of the wolf population isn't likely due to neglect.

Washington Policy Center's Director of Agriculture, Pam Lewison says last year's slight decline of the wolf population isn't likely due to neglect.

Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center says Attorney General Nick Brown's lawsuit against the Trump Administration over a 10% federal spending cap is political theater. He argues the state of Washington imposes similar or stricter caps on its own programs, making the lawsuit hypocritical. Myers suggests the lawsuit is more about politics than policy. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-state-ag-sues-trump-administration-for-doing-what-wa-state-also-does/ #Opinion #WashingtonState #Politics #AdministrativeCosts #WashingtonPolicyCenter

Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center critiques former Gov. Jay Inslee's record on climate change, arguing politics overshadowed real solutions. He cites rising emissions, failed electric vehicle programs, and ineffective cap-and-trade projects as evidence that Inslee's approach put partisanship above progress. Myers says genuine climate policy must focus on results, not rhetoric. This column was first published by TheHill.com. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-politics-wont-help-the-planet-just-ask-jay-inslee/ #Opinion #JayInslee #ToddMyers #WashingtonPolicyCenter #ClimateChange #EnvironmentalPolicy #CO2Emissions #ElectricVehicles #CapAndTrade #TheHill

David Boze of the Washington Policy Center highlights new metrics showing Washington's CO2 tax funding under the Climate Commitment Act often yields no climate benefit, with some projects costing 141 times more per ton of CO2 reduced than private sector efforts. He argues this reveals wasteful spending and poor environmental returns. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-new-metric-shows-how-much-washington-squanders-environmental-funding/ #WashingtonPolicyCenter #ClimatePolicy #EnvironmentalFunding #CO2Tax #ClimateCommitmentAct #WastefulSpending #PublicFunds #EmissionsReduction #DepartmentOfEcology #Opinion

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center argues that Washington lawmakers should stop blaming the federal government for rising health care costs and instead focus on innovation, competition, and reducing regulation. She says Medicaid reforms could help contain costs and lift people out of poverty if the state prioritizes effective policy over politics. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-health-care-reforms-will-hurt-more-if-washington-state-doesnt-get-more-on-board/ #WashingtonPolicyCenter #HealthCare #Medicaid #CostContainment #HealthCareCosts #InsurancePremiums #MedicaidExpansion #BobFerguson #StateBudget #Opinion

Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center critiques the Growth Management Act, saying its land-use restrictions are driving up home prices and making ownership unaffordable for many. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-growth-management-acts-impact-on-house-prices-in-washington/ #WashingtonPolicyCenter #MarkHarmsworth #GMA #HousingCrisis #UrbanGrowthAreas #AffordableHousing #Zoning #BIAW #Opinion

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center raises concerns about Washington's new law allowing unemployment pay for striking workers. She warns of potential double payments and long-term harm to the UI fund. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-workers-who-strike-need-to-be-warned-double-pay-is-a-no-no/ #Opinion #SB5041 #UnemploymentInsurance #ElizabethNew #StrikePay #WashingtonPolicyCenter #WorkerRights #PublicEmployees #UnionIssues

County fairs offer more than rides and food—they're a gateway to local meat shopping. Pam Lewison of the Washington Policy Center shares how buying from youth livestock auctions supports kids and fills your freezer. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-county-fairs-are-opportunities-to-go-meat-shopping/ #CountyFairs #ClarkCountyFair #LivestockAuction #LocalMeat #PamLewison #WashingtonPolicyCenter #SupportYouth #Agriculture

Todd Myers of Washington Policy Center breaks down Washington's latest CO2 tax spending, arguing most dollars expand government rather than cut emissions. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-climate-commitment-act-spending-expands-government-but-does-little-for-tangible-environmental-benefits/ #ClimateCommitmentAct #CO2Tax #ToddMyers #StateBudget #EnvironmentalSpending #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Opinion

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act created the nation's first federal tax-credit scholarship program. Washington Policy Center says a single signature from Governor Bob Ferguson could bring free school-choice scholarships to thousands of Washington students, at no cost to the state. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-will-free-school-choice-come-to-washington-state/ #SchoolChoice #Scholarships #WashingtonPolicyCenter #EducationReform #TaxCredit #GovernorFerguson #PrivateSchools

Host Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with Seattle Times Claudia Rowe, Washington Policy Center’s David Boze, and KUOW’s Cat Smith.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Todd Myers of Washington Policy Center critiques how Washington state spends its CO2 tax revenue, saying the bulk goes to government planning rather than tangible environmental gains. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-where-does-washington-state-spend-the-co2-tax-revenue-more-government/ #Opinion #CO2Tax #ToddMyers #ClimatePolicy #WashingtonSpending #EnvironmentalFunding #CCA #CarbonEmissions #StateBudget #WashingtonPolitics

Washington teachers earn the highest adjusted salaries in the country, but some critics say student achievement is not keeping pace. Vicki Murray of the Washington Policy Center argues for performance-based pay as test scores remain low statewide. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/high-pay-low-test-scores-wa-teachers-earn-most-when-adjusted-for-cost-of-living/ #TeacherPay #EducationSpending #WashingtonSchools #StudentOutcomes #WPC #VickiMurray #NCTQ #WAed #PublicEducation

Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center critiques Washington's latest budget update, highlighting that revenue growth stems from new taxes rather than economic strength. He urges lawmakers to pursue fiscal discipline and structural reform over short-term fixes. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washingtons-june-2025-budget-revisions-revenue-up-spending-up-more/ #WashingtonPolicyCenter #WAbudget #SmallBusiness #TaxReform #Opinion #EconomicForecast #BandOtax #StateSpending #MarkHarmsworth

Guest - Todd Myers - Washington Policy Center Breaks Down Where Climate Commitment Money is Actually Being Spent // Donald Trump abruptly shuts down a reporter who presses Attorney General Pam Bondi with questions about the controversial Department of Justice memo on Jeffrey Epstein // Hair Kept Our Ancestors’ Brains Cool—and Gave Them an Evolutionary Advantage

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of Washington Policy Center breaks down this year's changes to WA Cares, highlighting SB 5291's new exemptions, eligibility revisions, and ongoing concerns over recertification and wraparound insurance. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-changes-made-and-not-made-to-wa-cares-in-2025/ #WACares #ElizabethNew #WashingtonPolicyCenter #LongTermCare #PayrollTax #LTCI #WAleg

Pam Lewison with Washington Policy Center uses Fourth of July cookout data to examine regional food costs and spotlight the struggles facing American farmers. Her opinion piece urges renewed appreciation for agriculture's national importance. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-fourth-of-july-cookout-costs-emphasize-the-need-for-agriculture/ #FourthOfJuly #FoodCosts #WashingtonPolicyCenter #PamLewison #CookoutPrices #AgricultureMatters #AmericanFarmBureau #PotatoSaladPrices #GroundBeef

Washington Policy Center's Todd Myers critiques Washington's rising gas taxes and CO2 pricing, arguing that residents face some of the nation's highest gas prices despite poor road quality. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washingtons-already-high-gas-taxes-jump-another-six-cents-per-gallon-driving-prices-up/ #GasTax #WashingtonPolicyCenter #ToddMyers #CO2Tax #CCA #WashingtonState #FuelPrices #TransportationFunding #GasPrices #Opinion

Elizabeth New of the Washington Policy Center says the state is failing to uphold its duty to public workers by acting as a dues collector for unions and suppressing information about workers' constitutional rights. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-governments-should-protect-workers-end-cozy-relationship-with-political-allies/ #ElizabethNew #JanusRights #GovernmentUnions #WashingtonPolicyCenter #SB5041 #LaborPolicy #UnionDues #WorkerRights #PublicEmployees #Opinion

Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center criticizes Sen. Jamie Pedersen for claiming Washington is business-friendly, citing data that ranks the state 42nd and pointing to policies that he says hurt small businesses. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-senate-majority-leader-jamie-pedersen-thinks-washington-is-a-great-place-to-do-business/ #WashingtonPolicyCenter #MarkHarmsworth #JamiePedersen #SmallBusiness #BusinessClimate #BAndOTax #WashingtonLegislature #EconomicPolicy #Opinion #SenateBill5041

David Boze of Washington Policy Center responds to OSPI head Chris Reykdal's dismissal of alarming student performance data as partisan rhetoric. Boze points out the irony of Reykdal calling WPC biased while ignoring that the data in question came from Reykdal's own office. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-ospi-chief-chris-reykdal-confronted-by-state-data-blames-partisanship-for-bad-results/ #Opinion #ChrisReykdal #WashingtonPolicyCenter #OSPI #EducationPolicy #Partisanship #DavidBoze #StateData #AcademicPerformance #WashingtonState

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center takes aim at recent legislative actions she says are raising health care costs in Washington. From new hospital taxes to state-run care models, New calls for policy reforms that prioritize affordability, competition, and patient access. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-want-lower-health-care-costs-start-with-better-policies/ #HealthCareCosts #ElizabethNew #WashingtonPolicyCenter #WSHA #MedicalDebt #HealthPolicy #CONlaws #MedicaidReimbursement #UniversalCare #Opinion

Washington Policy Center's Mark Harmsworth warns that Washington's capital gains tax hike from 7% to 9.9% could hurt the economy by pushing businesses and investors to leave the state, reducing long-term tax revenue. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-will-the-capital-gains-tax-increase-to-9-9-cause-businesses-to-leave-the-state/ #CapitalGainsTax #WashingtonPolicyCenter #StateTaxes #SmallBusiness #MarkHarmsworth #WashingtonState #BusinessClimate #Opinion #Microsoft #Amazon

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center says Washington's efforts to expand public health care are backfiring. She criticizes SB 5083 and HB 1392 for shifting costs to private payers and argues for a more competitive, multi-payer system. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-more-payers-not-fewer-needed-in-health-care/ #Opinion #HealthCareCosts #ElizabethNew #ElizabethHovde #WashingtonPolicyCenter #SB5083 #HB1392 #InsurancePremiums #Medicaid #UniversalCare #CostShifting

David Boze of the Washington Policy Center argues that Washington's 2025 legislative session produced record-breaking tax hikes with little regard for voters or fiscal restraint, while warning that policy trends in the state could ripple across the nation. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-2025-tax-tsunami-in-washington-state/ #WashingtonState #TaxHikes #FiscalPolicy #DavidBoze #WPC #StateBudget #GasTax #SalesTax #CapitalGains #Opinion

Bill Radke discusses the week's news with writer/editor Sarah Anne Lloyd, Seattle Times David Kroman, and Washington Policy Center's David Boze. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington Policy Center's Todd Myers says President Trump's memorandum protecting the Snake River dams rolls back costly Biden Administration policies and aligns with science-based recommendations to retain the hydroelectric system. Myers explains why this move benefits Washington's economy, energy future, and salmon recovery efforts. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-president-trump-signs-memorandum-to-protect-the-snake-river-dams/ #SnakeRiverDams #ToddMyers #WashingtonPolicyCenter #Hydropower #ColumbiaRiverBasin #TrumpMemo #BidenAdministration #SalmonRecovery #VancouverWA #ClarkCountyToday

Todd Myers of Washington Policy Center says Washington's carbon-tax price surged 16 percent in one quarter, now roughly 46 cents per gallon, without delivering clear emissions cuts. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washingtons-co2-tax-jumps-16-in-just-three-months-to-about-46-cents-per-gallon/ #CO2Tax #WashingtonPolicyCenter #GasPrices #ClimatePolicy #WashingtonState #Opinion

Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center criticizes Washington's stalled EV sales and says legislative mandates are expensive, political, and counterproductive. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washington-ev-sales-have-stalled-and-are-far-short-of-states-arbitrary-targets/ #WashingtonPolicyCenter #EVsales #ToddMyers #CO2emissions #Tesla #TransportationStrategy #ElectricVehicles #OpinionColumn #StateLegislation #Vancouver

Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center details Washington State's recent 2025 tax increases and their estimated cost to a $75,000 earner. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-you-want-to-know-how-much-washington-state-now-taxes-you/ #MarkHarmsworth #WashingtonPolicyCenter #WashingtonTaxes #BudgetShortfall #OpinionColumns

Washington Policy Center's Mark Harmsworth critiques the idea that higher minimum wages solve Washington's affordability crisis, pointing to evidence that increased costs, inflation, and job cuts often follow. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-minimum-wage-trap-why-higher-wages-dont-solve-washingtons-affordability-crisis/ #MarkHarmsworth #WashingtonPolicyCenter #minimumwage #affordabilitycrisis #inflation #smallbusiness #ALICEreport #housingcost #Seattle #Bellingham

A new opinion piece from Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center warns that high housing costs, taxes, and regulations are pushing residents out of Washington state. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washingtons-affordability-crisis-fuels-out-migration-in-2025/ #MarkHarmsworth #WashingtonPolicyCenter #affordability #housingcrisis #outmigration #seattlecosts #PODSreport #costofliving #washingtonstate #taxes

Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center supports Illinois-style legislation to help property owners evict squatters more easily in Washington. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-illinois-is-about-to-help-property-owners-evict-squatters-when-someone-moves-into-a-home-without-permission/ #ClarkCounty #localnews #WashingtonPolicyCenter #propertyrights #evictionlaws #squatterreform #MarkHarmsworth #housingpolicy

Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center details how new taxes and regulations passed during the 2025 legislative session will reshape the climate for small businesses in Washington. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-2025-washington-legislative-session-small-business-taxation-and-business-regulation/ #ClarkCounty #localnews #WashingtonPolicyCenter #smallbusiness #taxes #regulation #Olympia #B&Otax #HB2081 #SB5814

American farmers continue to set productivity records, although they face many impediments to success. Pam Lewison in Washington State knows those struggles personally, and she's working to keep agriculture vital and viable. Lewison is research director at the Washington Policy Center's Center for Agriculture. Her mission includes making sure their elected officials understand how legislation and regulation impact those growing their food. She also works with the media, providing articles that educate the public about why agriculture matters.“If we use our words and share them appropriately with the media, we have the opportunity to make sure that people see us as who we are,” Lewison said. “I think that's probably the most powerful avenue that we have available to us.”Lewison and her husband operate JP Ranch, a forage farm in Moses Lake. They have been Redox customers for the past five years, including helping combat salt buildup in their soil, as well as nutrition for their alfalfa crop. As for diKap™, Lewison said “It's fantastic. We get some extra tonnage, and it makes for some really beautiful bales of hay. We have nothing but good things to say about it."

Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center calls for a shift from top-down policymaking to local trial-and-error innovation backed by accountability. Read more at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-what-the-2025-legislature-tells-us-about-why-washingtons-government-keeps-failing/ #ClarkCounty #localnews #WashingtonPolicyCenter #WAlegislature #trialanderror #publicpolicy #EVtax #Portland #Seattle #Vancouver

Mark Harmsworth of Washington Policy Center breaks down the state's new $77.8B budget, questioning whether it delivers real results for taxpayers. Read more at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-washington-state-2025-27-budget-proposal-is-out-and-legislators-are-still-spending-money-the-state-doesnt-have/ #Washingtonstate #ClarkCountyWa #localnews #statebudget #taxpolicy #educationfunding #ClimateCommitmentAct #WashingtonPolicyCenter #MarkHarmsworth

Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center argues that the Washington Supreme Court's decision to overturn Spokane's anti-camping initiative undermines both public safety and voter rights. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-spokanes-voter-approved-anti-camping-initiative-is-overturned-by-the-washington-supreme-court/ #homelessness #Spokane #publicsafety #affordablehousing #ClarkCountyWa #Washingtonstate #judicialactivism #localnews #MarkHarmsworth #WashingtonPolicyCenter

Elizabeth New of the Washington Policy Center critiques Washington's paid leave payroll tax, arguing it places an unfair burden on low-income workers. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-low-income-workers-should-not-have-to-give-higher-income-workers-more-of-their-wages/ #PaidLeave #ClarkCountyWa #localnews #WashingtonPolicyCenter #taxpolicy #workerjustice #Vancouver #ElizabethNew #payrolltax #economicimpact

During COVID, Gov. Inslee abused his emergency powers, and now a bill to limit Gov. Ferguson's emergency powers has died in committee. Senior Researcher at the Washington Policy Center, Paul Guppy, joins us to discuss emergency powers, the budget and a new reparations plan to give $120,000 to anyone except white people to purchase homes. Wow!

This week, we feature a special recording of our live webinar featuring PRI scholars and policy experts exploring key green topics being debated and discussed in Washington, DC and in the states – from Cap and Trade and gas and carbon taxes to green appliance mandates.  Learn about the latest study from PRI detailing just how much the green transition in California will cost you – you'll grab on to your wallet when you hear the figure!  Panelists include PRI's Dr. Wayne Winegarden and Todd Myers from the Washington Policy Center.

Host Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with Washington Policy Center’s Paul Guppy, Seattle Times Claudia Rowe, and host, writer, and producer Angela Poe Russell. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with Washington Policy Center’s David Boze, Seattle Times Patrick Malone, and consultant Ron Davis See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.