State Watch

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

Hiring someone for jobs around the house? Legal advice from DWT

By Elizabeth NewI appreciated this information about Washington state's new domestic workers' law from Davis Wright Tremaine, a business law firm. It details what households should know and need to do...

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

House and Senate Send Supplemental Budget to Governor

By Ryan FrostThe legislature passed its agreement on the 2026 supplemental operating budget and adjourned yesterday. The budget now sits on Governor Ferguson's desk, where he can sign it, veto section...

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

Legislature Agrees to Increased Spending in Supplemental Budget

By Ryan FrostThe legislature passed its agreement on the 2026 supplemental operating budget and adjourned yesterday. The budget now sits on Governor Ferguson's desk, where he can sign it, veto section...

Washington AG Washington 7/10 ?

AG Brown commemorates Sunshine Week with pledge for continued progress on opening government to the people of Washington state

AG Brown commemorates Sunshine Week with pledge for continued progress on opening government to the people of Washington stateFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Mar 16 2026atgSamBlobaumMon, 03/16/2026 - 12:31For m...

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

How to Start a Business in Washington

By Mark HarmsworthI'm excited to announce the launch of our new resource at the Washington Policy Center - How to Start a Business in Washington.

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

Labor law to hit households causing confusion, threatening voluntary work arrangements

By Elizabeth NewLawmakers have passed a labor law for the living room, using workplace rules designed for HR departments. The result is a gray zone where families, house cleaners, adult caregivers, ba...

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

The Income Tax Passed the House: What's Next?

By Ryan FrostThe Washington State House of Representatives passedESSB 6346after the longest floor debate in state history, a marathon that stretchedpast24 hours. The final vote was 51-46, strictly par...

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

Washington's CO2 tax declines slightly but is still 52 cents per gallon

By Todd MyersWashington state drivers could see a reduction of 4 cents per gallon as the cost of greenhouse gas permits in the state’s climate law declined by 8 percent to $65.26 per metric ton of CO2...

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

It's not just the increased taxes that are driving businesses away

By Mark HarmsworthThere is a lot of talk about companies leaving Washington because of the capital gains tax (passed in the last few years) and the punitive income tax this year, but this is not the o...

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

There is no such thing as a free' lunch, and an income tax isn't more palatable because it offers one

By Elizabeth NewGov. Bob Ferguson said he supports thelatest versionof a bill that would create an unconstitutional income tax in Washington state, moving it closer to the finish line. Supporters, inc...

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

High Tech Leaders Plea for Income Tax Delay

By Todd MyersThe decision you make in these final days of a short legislative session could determine the direction of the state’s job creation, economic growth and social policy for decades.Voting fo...

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

Revenue diversion has shortchanged highway preservation and maintenance

By Charles PrestrudCondition of the state highway system has been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent that about a billion dollars per year will be needed to bring it up to a state of good repair...

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

Governor Ferguson Has Abandoned His Own Tax Relief Demands

By Ryan FrostGovernor Fergusonannouncedtoday that he will sign thelatest versionof what supporters are calling the "Millionaires' Tax," a politically convenient label for a state income tax.If signed,...

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

WA Cares needs to clarify family caregivers needn't be union members

By Elizabeth NewWashington state’s new long-term care program, WA Cares, will soon allow family members to be paid for providing care to loved ones. A pilot program is about to begin, and a group of p...

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

Rethinking National Ag Month: The Entire Food System Deserves the Spotlight

By Pam LewisonI used to be an ardent proponent of the underlying theme built into National Ag Month and, by extension, National Ag Day (March 24, if you’re wondering), but as time has gone on, I am le...

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

Cigarette smuggling increase on the docket in Washington State

By David Boze, Michael LaFaive, Todd Nesbit, PhDAs long as I can remember, I hated smoking. Apparently, when I was four, I warned my uncle that his smoking would lead him to Hell. I don't recall it, b...

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

106 striking workers already using unemployment insurance benefits

By Elizabeth NewThe impact will be negligible, union representatives said. It will make strikes less likely, at least one lawmaker tried to persuade his colleagues. This is necessary for people who wa...

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

Study shows 2025's record tax increases reduce Washington's GDP growth and worker pay

By Todd MyersAn independent study of the economic impacts of Washington’s 2025 tax increases – the largest in state history – is projected to reduce economic growth by half a percent of state GDP and ...

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

"Privacy" Is Not a License for Government Secrecy: Supreme Court's Mirabelli Ruling Puts Washington's School Parental Notification Policies on Notice

By Vicki MurrayThe U.S. Supreme Court's March 2, 2026,Mirabelli v. Bontaruling just sent a clear message to California—and every state with similar policies, including Washington: you cannot hide crit...

Washington Policy Center Washington 8/10 ?

Washington's Charter Schools Deliver If the State Lets Them

By Vicki MurrayWashington's2026 Public Charter Schools Reportfinds charter school students are outperforming their demographically matched peers: roughly 12 points higher in math and 8 points higher i...

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