We are pleased to welcome the following people to the Washington State Budget & Policy Center board of directors! They join a group of dedicated community leaders, academics, policy experts, and strategists who help shape the direction of our organization.  

In an inclusive economy, all Washingtonians would have access to economic security and the opportunity to prosper. Even though Washington’s economy is growing, progress isn’t reaching everybody. Income inequality is increasing, and too many people are still struggling to make ends meet – even those who work full time. This is especially true for many workers and families of color, who have long faced greater barriers to opportunity than their white neighbors – the result of historically racist policies and practices.

Even with a strong economy and low unemployment rates, many households in Washington struggle to meet basic needs. Fortunately, poverty reduction programs remove obstacles that make it harder for families to get and keep jobs and help them grow their incomes over time. 

Updated August 20, 2018: This post has been updated to include official carbon fee revenue estimates from the Washington State Office of Financial Management. The original version of this post included rough carbon fee revenues calculated by the Budget & Policy Center. The updates are in the fourth paragraph and the bullets below.

In recent years, Washington state has made important strides in investing in public education and early learning. In the coming years, these changes will be put to a crucial test: Will they help children, especially children of color, surmount the barriers to quality K-12 learning and lifelong achievement?