Washington Policy

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[Washington Policy @WAPolicyCenter]

Ultimately, food, the people involved in its production, and the language we use to discuss it and its creation, should be aspirational, not divisive. That's not how legislators in Olympia are treating our agriculture communities.

https://t.co/HmrRUsRk1T

[Washington Policy @WAPolicyCenter]

Even if income tax survives, a massive deficit looms. Without spending cuts, expect record tax hikes. The legislature must shift gears. #Waleg #incometax #wataxes #taxburden #wabudget

[Washington Policy @WAPolicyCenter]

Bellingham’s rents have risen 71% over the past 11 years, now averaging $2,275 per month and sitting 14% above the national average. Chronic under-supply caused by restrictive zoning, endless permitting delays, high property taxes passed on to tenants, and a regulatory environment that discourages new construction are the real reasons rents are so high. Washington’s cost of living has climbed faster than nearly anywhere else in the country. No algorithm created those barriers.

https://t.co/sEkzQ9G0ZT

[Washington Policy @WAPolicyCenter]

Sound Transit has admitted the cost of the ST3 plan exceeds estimated revenue by $34 billion.

"The biggest problem is, they still have a system that costs an awful lot, and accomplishes very little and will be very challenging to build even within their revised budget."

Watch WPC's Charles Prestrud in @KING5Seattle's latest update on Sound Transit.

[Washington Policy @WAPolicyCenter]

Sound Transit has conducted an online survey ostensibly to obtain public input on choices the board will be making in response to the agencies' $34 billion budget gap. However, the questions posed in the survey steer clear of key issues and appear to have been crafted to support the approach taken in the “enterprise initiative” Sound Transit has used to develop revisions to the ST3 plan.

To help fill in where the Sound Transit survey falls short, the Washington Policy Center invites readers to answer the following questions.

https://t.co/IWiy1r2E8A

[Washington Policy @WAPolicyCenter]

Some Washington state workers will soon learn what $36,500 buys when long-term care is needed. The most likely answer: not enough.

Read @WPCElizabeth's latest piece in The Seattle Times!

https://t.co/F5S3HC142E

[Washington Policy @WAPolicyCenter]

Major tax hikes enacted in 2025 are now hitting businesses hard. Starting in late 2025 and accelerating into 2026, the state increased Business & Occupation tax rates for service businesses and introduced new surcharges.

https://t.co/QtZsGCjPgm

[Washington Policy @WAPolicyCenter]

Washington cannot currently meet energy demands and is only making it worse by enacting policies that will make it harder to produce enough energy for the region. #waleg #cca #ceta #washington

[Washington Policy @WAPolicyCenter]

Washington has the second highest gas prices in the country right now, and the Climate Commitment Act is a big reason why. The chief architect of the CCA, Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, claimed he would work to provide cost relief, transparency, and results with this program, but this has failed to materialize.

In many cases, he actively worked against the very promises he made.

https://t.co/9vYqN7v01a

@WAPolicyGreen

[Kevin Wallace @KevinWallace425]

Thanks to @WAPolicyCenter for the opportunity to share my thoughts on housing development, tax policy, energy policy, light rail and more in this afternoon’s WPC On The Go podcast.

[Washington Policy @WAPolicyCenter]

“Every billion dollars you’re spending on light rail is $1 billion you’re not spending on education or other critically important needs of our collective government.”

Kevin Wallace breaks down how Washington's misplaced priorities are making it hard for the state to succeed and how we can course correct.

https://t.co/wo2P21YCNl

[WPC Elizabeth @WPCElizabeth]

ACA enrollment drops in Washington state should force honest conversations about healthcare costs 1/2 #waLeg

[stevemur @stevemur]

Washington State has a spending problem, not a revenue problem.

Even after adjusting for inflation and population growth, the Washington State budget has soared. (NGFO = "Near General Fund Outlook", i.e., the WA state budget)

Chart via @wapolicycenter and @Frost_RyanW

[Todd Myers 🐟🌲🐝 @WAPolicyGreen]

Even as Washington state's spending explodes, some claim that the state budget is actually "shrinking."

It isn't.

As WPC Budget & Tax Director @Frost_RyanW explains, revenue and spending has increased dramatically - as roads, education and services get worse. 1/x #waleg

[Washington Policy @WAPolicyCenter]

Washingtonians were told the state’s new income tax was about “fairness.” Supporters said it would make our tax system less regressive, improve affordability and ask only the wealthiest residents to pay more so ordinary families could finally catch a break.

Those are serious promises. And serious promises deserve serious scrutiny. Serious scrutiny requires looking not just at what has been said, but what has been done.

https://t.co/PcgHCnhwOx

[Washington Policy @WAPolicyCenter]

Washington state lawmakers could have given workers a sales-tax cut this past legislative session. They could have lowered or enforced limitations on the payroll taxes eating into workers’ wages. They could have changed state policies that make driving to work a luxury, given our state’s high fuel costs. But instead, they gave workers the promise of an income tax and a rising payroll-tax burden.

https://t.co/ZgQHRJijPO

[Washington Policy @WAPolicyCenter]

Join our free virtual event next week to hear from Kevin Wallace, CEO of Wallace Properties and former Bellevue City Councilmember to discuss how Bellevue has been able to becoming a thriving city by taking a different approach than Seattle, and how this can lay the groundwork for a successful Washington.

https://t.co/iw53rTW67m

[stevemur @stevemur]

The best watchdog reporting/commentary you’ll find on the inflationary Climate Commitment Act is being done by @WAPolicyGreen and the Washington Policy Center @WAPolicyCenter. Follow them if you’re a WA resident.

https://t.co/xb698j1Q7b