State Revenue

Property Tax image

The recent economic recession has taken a significant toll on the state's ability to maintain important investments in education, health, communities and the environment. But even in good times, state revenue, which comes largely from retail sales and Business & Occupancy taxes, does not keep pace with the need. The Budget & Policy Center publishes research and analysis on improving the state’s revenue system to raise adequate revenue and create a more equitable tax structure.

 

Related Research

No denying it: At least $10 billion has been cut from the state budget

State budget cuts have taken an enormous toll on Washington state’s core public health, education, and community safety structures. Basic public services have been cut by at least $10 billion since the start of the Great Recession. These budget cuts have taken a grizzly toll on the health and well-being of workers and families from Aberdeen to Spokane.

A Capital Reform: Using Capital Gains to Fuel Job Creation and Economic Prosperity in Washington state

To create jobs, spur long-term economic growth, and foster prosperity, Washington state desperately needs to rebuild our eroding education, public health, and community safety infrastructure. The state has a powerful, but untapped resource to accomplish this: capital gains. A modest tax on some capital gains would help fuel economic recovery and opportunity for future generations of Washingtonians...

A Framework for Prosperity

Washington’s path to economic recovery and future prosperity is dependent upon the choices we make in the coming weeks. Our state budget is an essential tool for investing in smart choices that will uphold our values and put us on the right path. In the midst of the worst economy since the Great Depression, our state’s primary responsibility should be to make investments that will ignite the economy, put people back to work, and provide opportunities for future generations to prosper.

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Property Taxes
 
Working Families Tax Rebate
 
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HIGHLIGHTS

B& PC Policy Analyst testifies before Senate Ways & Means

Policy Analyst Andy Nicholas testified on tax policy and revenue trends before a work session of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Click below.

 

Listen to us on KUOW

Our Executive Director Remy Trupin was recently on "The Conversation." He discussed our proposal to tax capital gains in Washington state. Listen here

Budget & Policy Center video

Our new video, which debuted at our 5th Anniversary event in October, highlights the importance of investments to public structures.

Framework for Prosperity

Explore our comprehensive vision for Washington state and solutions to get us there.  It has two components: invest in our future prosperity and build a revenue system that works for everyone. Read it here

Watch us on "Inside Olympia"

Executive Director Remy Trupin was on TVW's "Inside Olympia" to discuss how to bridge the state's revenue crisis. "Washingtonians clearly want to retain the things that make us prosperous...If we don't raise revenue now, we won't have those things in the future." Remy's panel starts at minute 29:29. Watch here

We are hiring!

Join our team! We are hiring a Development Manager. More information and job descriptions can be found here.