News and perspective on public policy issues affecting Washington's economy and quality of life, brought to you by the Economic Opportunity Institute.
Part 1 | Part Two Social Security is one of the great achievements of American democracy. It represents the best of our values – honoring our parents, respecting hard work, and supporting families. It provides stable income to 56 million people in one in four American households – in both good economic times and bad. For the […]
Part 1 | Part Two Working Americans and their employers each pay 6.2% on the first $110,100 of earnings into Social Security. Those payments insure 159 million workers and their families from loss of income due to disability, premature death, or retirement. They also fund benefits averaging $1,125 monthly for 56 million Americans, including:[i] Retirees age 62+. […]
Passing the Jobs Bonds package should be a top priority for Washington’s Legislature during the special session. Rebuilding school facilities, retrofitting for energy efficiency, improving water quality, and cleaning up the environment will immediately create badly needed jobs across the state – and build the foundation for a healthier, more sustainable economy in the future. […]
Last Friday, three Democrats joined forces with Republicans in the Washington Senate to force through a version of the state budget that cuts education and services for the state’s most vulnerable residents. Much has already been said about passage of a major bill without one word of public testimony. It may now take a special […]
