Recent Press- Part-time school, college staff may lose state health benefits | Local News | The Seattle Times June 14, 2013
- Wash. Gov. Inslee signs estate tax fix into law | Local News | The Seattle Times June 14, 2013
- Legislature: What's the problem just finishing its work? | Crosscut.com June 13, 2013
- House Democrats offer state budget compromise - Spokesman.com - June 6, 2013 June 11, 2013
- Alexander says new House Democrat budget proposal a good step toward compromise, but regrets efforts to negotiate in the press - Washington State House Republicans June 11, 2013
Category Archives: Business Climate
Who built that?
The New York Times ran a great article in the business section this week talking about the relationship between business and government. It’s a little historical perspective, including a plug for a great book I read this summer “Why Nations … Continue reading
Posted in Business Climate, Education, Tax Policy
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SB 5539 – Film Credit bill
Update 3/9/12: The bill was “pulled” from Ways and Means last night and passed the House 92-6. The official term is that Ways and Means was “relieved of consideration” of the bill. I believe this particular subsidy is similar to … Continue reading
Posted in Budget, Business Climate, Tax Policy
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Jobs Strategy
Our nation is in its worst economic crisis since World War II, 75 years ago. Washington is not immune to the national economy. Like almost every state we face crippling unemployment and many people have lost significant portions of their … Continue reading
Posted in Business Climate, Tax Policy
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Tech Jobs in Washington
Last week I met with the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) to talk about their agenda for 2011. No surprise, it’s about jobs here in Washington. What surprised me was how they chose to spend their time in the meeting. … Continue reading
Posted in Budget, Business Climate, Education, Tax Policy
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How a New Jobless Era Will Transform America
Last month’s Atlantic Magazine has a great article on the transformative effect the current recession will have on people in America over the next few decades. It’s a little depressing a read, but very thought-provoking. http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/03/how-a-new-jobless-era-will-transform-america/7919 Here’s the blurb the … Continue reading
Posted in Business Climate, Social Justice
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2009 Session Notes – Tax Policy
(I orginally posted this on a different blog in April 2009. I am consolidating into a single presence and am re-posting here. ) A number of key tax policy bills were passed this year. These are interesting to me because … Continue reading
Posted in Budget, Business Climate, Tax Policy
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Changes to Sales Tax Resale Certificates (SB 6173)
The Senate budget assumed a change in how sales tax resale certificates worked. As the bill implementing this idea came over from the Senate it made substantial changes to how resale certificates work for retailers and wholesalers (which was fine) … Continue reading
Posted in Budget, Business Climate
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Tax Policy for the Internet Age
Tax downloads? What is he talking about? Let me explain. Today if you buy a copy of “Gladiator” at Barnes and Noble you pay sales tax on it. If you rent it from Blockbuster you pay sales tax. Rent from … Continue reading
Posted in Business Climate, Tax Policy
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2009 Legislative Agenda
This year will be particularly difficult due to the national economic disaster. Unlike the federal government, Washington is required to have a balanced budget. Our budget situation is dire, and will require dramatic measures. I try to be organized about … Continue reading
Posted in Budget, Business Climate, Education, Environment, Tax Policy, Transportation
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