Podcast appearances and mentions of Washington Policy Center

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

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

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

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

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 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!

Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center shares how Earth Day should celebrate innovation, private initiative, and voluntary cooperation in protecting the environment. From eradicating the murder hornet in Washington to habitat restoration in Spain, he explains how free-market environmentalism is proving more effective than bureaucratic mandates. Read the full story at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-an-earth-day-lesson-last-years-biggest-environmental-victories-came-from-free-markets/ #localnews #ClarkCountyWa #EarthDay #ToddMyers #freeMarketEnvironmentalism #WashingtonPolicyCenter #environment

Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center outlines how emergency clauses in state legislation are being used to block voter input on major issues. He calls on Governor Ferguson to remove these clauses unless they're truly necessary. Read the full opinion column at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-time-to-limit-emergency-clauses-and-give-voters-a-choice/ #ClarkCountyWa #localnews #Washingtonstate #publicpolicy #emergencyclauses #voterchoice

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.

Elizabeth New of the Washington Policy Center says new state laws remove parents from critical health decisions involving their children. Read the full column at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-parents-told-to-have-a-seat-government-knows-best/ #localnews #ClarkCountyWa #ParentalRights #WAlegislation #ElizabethNew #SchoolHealth #WashingtonPolicyCenter

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.

Elizabeth New of the Washington Policy Center warns that Senate Bill 5041 could harm businesses and taxpayers by allowing striking workers to collect unemployment benefits. Read the full column at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-employers-shouldnt-pay-workers-not-to-work-paying-people-to-strike-should-be-a-unions-job/ on www.ClarkCountyToday.com #localnews #ClarkCountyWa #ElizabethNew #SB5041 #UnionDues #UnemploymentInsurance #WashingtonPolicyCenter #WorkerRights #StrikePay #WAleg

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.

Washington's EV mandate is approaching fast, but sales numbers remain far below the 35 percent target. Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center explains why the state risks higher car prices and reduced options if laws remain unchanged. Read the full column at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washingtons-ev-sales-far-short-of-next-years-state-mandate/ #localnews #ClarkCountyWa #WashingtonEVMandate #ElectricVehiclesWA #CarPricesWA #WashingtonPolicyCenter #ToddMyers

A Washington Policy Center column raises concerns about SB 5181, a bill that would reduce parental notification rights in Washington's public schools. The opinion highlights how changes could impact child health and trust between schools and parents. Read the full story at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-bill-limiting-notifications-for-parents-passes-committee/ on www.ClarkCountyToday.com #parentalnotification #educationpolicy #childhealth #localnews #ClarkCountyWa

The Washington Policy Center warns that Senate Bill 5798 would open the door to higher property taxes across Washington by removing key limits on increases. Read the full opinion column at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-senate-bill-5798-is-a-massive-tax-increase-on-the-homeowners-of-washington/ on www.ClarkCountyToday.com #localnews #ClarkCountyWa #propertytax #washingtonlegislature #sb5798 #taxpolicy #washingtonstate #homeowners #washingtonpolicycenter #initiative747

Elizabeth New of the Washington Policy Center argues that two bills — HB 1296 and SB 5181 — could reduce parental access to important medical information about children in Washington's public schools. Learn what's at stake and why she believes this could harm child well-being. Read the full story at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-parents-could-have-less-access-to-information-about-school-aged-children/ #localnews #ClarkCountyWa #parentalrights #HB1296 #SB5181 #studentprivacy #publicschools #Initiative2081 #ElizabethNew #WashingtonPolicyCenter

President Trump's plan to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education is stirring debate in Washington state. David Boze of the Washington Policy Center unpacks what this could mean for local school control, spending, and outcomes. Read the full column at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-should-you-fear-the-end-of-the-department-of-education/ #educationpolicy #ClarkCountyWa #localnews #DepartmentofEducation #Washingtonstate #schoolreform

Elizabeth New of the Washington Policy Center warns Senate Bill 5041 could increase strikes, reduce job opportunities, and cost Washington businesses and taxpayers hundreds of millions. Read the full story at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-should-striking-workers-be-paid-by-their-employers-not-to-work/ on www.ClarkCountyToday.com #localnews #ClarkCountyWa #strikepaybill #SenateBill5041 #unionstrikepolicy #ElizabethNew #Washingtonstate #Vancouver #Opinion

Paul Guppy of the Washington Policy Center says the latest attempt to limit emergency powers in Washington state has failed. Still, Governor Ferguson's voluntary pledge may bring more accountability. Read the full column at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-legislative-leaders-fail-again-to-limit-the-abuse-of-emergency-power-in-washington-state/ #localnews #ClarkCountyWa #EmergencyPowers #WashingtonPolicyCenter #SB5434 #PaulGuppy #GovernorFerguson

Washington's CO2 tax has surged again, increasing fuel costs across the state. Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center explains why state officials continue to miscalculate market impacts. Read more at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-another-increase-in-the-states-co2-tax-another-failure-by-ecology-staff-to-understand-the-market/ #localnews #ClarkCountyWa #WACarbonTax #EnergyPolicy

Washington Policy Center's Mark Harmsworth breaks down the winners and losers in Washington's latest legislative session. Some tax proposals failed, while others remain active. Read the full analysis at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-legislative-winners-and-losers-so-far/ #Vancouver #WashingtonPolicyCenter #LegislativeSession #WashingtonLegislature #StateBills #BusinessRegulations #TaxPolicy #HousingCosts #RentControl #EconomicPolicy #PublicPolicy #GovernmentRegulations #ClarkCountyWa #LocalNews

Mark Harmsworth of the Washington Policy Center discusses how House Bill 1217 could worsen Washington's housing crisis by increasing rent costs and reducing supply. Read more at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-how-the-legislature-just-voted-to-raise-your-rent/ #Vancouver #WashingtonState #ClarkCountyWa #MarkHarmsworth #WashingtonPolicyCenter #HouseBill1217 #RentControl #HousingMarket #PropertyOwners #RentalLaws #HousingAffordability #EconomicPolicy #WashingtonLegislature #LocalNews

Washington state lawmakers are considering legislation that could limit parental involvement in critical decisions affecting minors. Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center discusses why parents should be paying attention. Read more at https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-legislation-is-being-considered-that-could-harm-children/ #Vancouver #WashingtonState #ClarkCountyWa #ParentalRights #Initiative2081 #WashingtonLegislature #MinorsMedicalDecisions #ParentalConsent #SJR8204 #HB1296 #SB5181 #SB5708 #HB1176 #SocialMedia #MatureMinorDoctrine #WashingtonPolicyCenter #localnews

Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with Economic Opportunity Institute’s Rian Watt, Seattle Times Josh Farley, and Washington Policy Center’s David Boze.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.