Budget Footnotes: Governor Chris Gregoire and former state Senator Dino Rossi, continue to battle it out regarding the current state budget. And even though we’re dealing in facts—straight budget numbers—the candidates have two completely different versions of the budget story. A Reprieve on State Sales Taxes: Washington taxpayers enjoyed a rare bit of good news [...]
The WA State budget takes center stage. Plus: a sales tax extension, the state retirement fund, and more news on family leave
Paid family leave funding in doubt. Plus: state pension fund and investing in early childhood education
Spending Cuts Hurt Program: The election-season cancellation of a $6.2 million computer project puts the future of a paid-leave program for new parents in jeopardy. Union Contracts, Paid Family Leave At Risk: Now with added doubt and disappointment. This is Not a False Alarm: State Investment Board Director Joe Dear, referencing the $47-million loss in [...]
No Debate: Why Rossi is wrong on Washington’s minimum wage
Washington’s second gubernatorial debate at an Association of Washington Business (AWB) event in Blaine, WA focused heavily on economic issues. One thing caught our attention: Republican candidate Dino Rossi’s support for lowering the state’s minimum wage, currently at $8.07/hour. His reasoning? “Minimum wage was not meant to be a family wage; it’s meant to be [...]
Gov. Gregoire should fulfill the promise of family leave for Washington’s children and families
The Governor’s announcement yesterday that she is suspending development of the computer system for Washington’s Family Leave Insurance (FLI) program is extremely disappointing. This time of economic distress is precisely when our state’s struggling families need programs like this the most. FLI was slated to begin in October 2009, assuring all new parents in our [...]








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