Recent Press- ACLU Criticizes Proposed Gang-Free Zones, And Why Does Washington Have A B&O; Tax? May 10, 2012
- State's expensive love affair with 4-wheel drive hybrid SUVs | Local News | The Seattle Times April 30, 2012
- Can more rigorous academics help Rainier Beach? | Local News | The Seattle Times April 30, 2012
- State coffers won’t require new revenue, Inslee says | The Olympian - The News Tribune April 22, 2012
- Inslee: No new taxes needed to fund education - seattlepi.com April 21, 2012
Author Archives: Ross
Landmark Supreme Court Case
The week before session the Washington Supreme Court decided the McCleary case unanimously in favor of the plaintiffs – two families and a number of school districts who claimed that the state had historically underfunded its primary duty to fund … Continue reading
School Funding Reform
I’ve created a new page on my website, not just a blog post, that provides background and current documents on my local levy shift proposal. If you click on Reforming School Funding in Washington in the title bar above you’ll … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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48th Legislative District Town Hall Meeting set for Jan. 4
Sen. Rodney Tom will join Rep. Ross Hunter and Rep. Deb Eddy in a town hall meeting Wednesday, Jan. 4, to discuss the 2012 legislative session. The 48th District lawmakers will solicit constituents’ concerns and priorities and answer questions from … Continue reading
Data on State Employee Compensation
I’ve answered a lot of mail in the past few weeks and one theme that threads through many of the emails is that the number of state employees is increasing rapidly, that they are paid way too much, and that … Continue reading
Posted in Budget
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Washington State and local taxes drop to lowest level in 50 years
The DOR released this as part of their “Revenue Update” for the month. Washington’s state and local taxes (as a percent of personal income) dropped to their lowest level in 50 years in Fiscal Year 2009, according to new figures … Continue reading
Posted in Budget, Tax Policy
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Post-Special Session Newsletter
Now that the “special” session is over I’ve been motivated to write a newsletter that answers many of the questions I’ve received in email. If you want to print it click here for the PDF version that’s better formatted for … Continue reading
Internet Sales Growth Explosive, Compared to In-Store Sales
The following article was sent to me by the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Governing Board, an organization representing more than half the states that charge sales tax. In it you see the shift to Internet retailing and the consequent … Continue reading
Posted in Budget, Tax Policy
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Budget “down-payment” will be heard today
OLYMPIA – A bipartisan plan to take a big bite out of the projected $2 billion state budget shortfall will be heard Monday by the House Ways and Means Committee. The bill, sponsored by Chair Ross Hunter, D-Medina, makes $479.7 … Continue reading
Posted in Budget
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Slow-Motion Default in Wenatchee
I’m disappointed that the Legislature failed to address the slow-motion financial default in progress in Wenatchee. 7 cities and 2 counties got together and agreed to build an arena in Wenatchee. They used a stream of money from the state … Continue reading
520 Tolling to Start Dec 29
WSDOT sent out the following press release today. You may want to get your Good to Go pass soon.The pass offers a significant discount on the toll. Ross ————- SR 520 tolling to start on Thursday, December 29 Today we … Continue reading