Creating a more just and prosperous state
In 2006, a visionary group of public policy experts, community leaders, and social justice advocates founded the Washington State Budget & Policy Center, a nonpartisan research and policy organization dedicated to building a stronger, more equitable state. We develop analysis, communications, and policies that aim to ensure:
- All children have access to great schools
- People earn wages that support themselves and their families
- Our environment is healthy
- A person’s race or ethnicity does not determine their health or access to opportunity
- The economy is strong and our tax code serves everyone
The budget is key
Washington’s state budget is an essential tool in ensuring our communities can thrive. We work with partners and grassroots coalitions to advance budget and tax policies that lift up families with low and moderate incomes, eliminate disparities based on race, and create shared prosperity for all Washingtonians. We do this by:
- Developing and advancing bold policy solutions
- Analyzing how budget and policy decisions affect critical investments
- Using strategic communications to shift the public debate
- Building and engaging with progressive coalitions
Learn about how we keep equity at the forefront of our work and about our framework for advancing progress. And find out about the strategies and tactics we’re using to achieve major progressive public policy changes in our 2018-2022 strategic planning framework.
Our Mission
To use research and analysis to advance the well-being of Washington communities, improve the economic security and social opportunity of all in the state, and support the essential role of government in promoting a just and prosperous society
Our Equity Statement
Equity is just and fair inclusion into a society in which all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. In the context of the Washington State Budget & Policy Center’s work, we believe equity is achieved when a Washingtonian’s race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ability, immigration status, language ability, or neighborhood of residence does not determine their health, income, wealth, educational attainment, or access to opportunity.
Inequities are not random, but are the consequences of past and persistent policy and budget decisions that are embedded and reinforced in our social, economic, and political systems, institutions, practices, and norms. As a statewide policy and research organization, we are committed to advancing equity by promoting key social and economic policies to dismantle barriers, grow great jobs, clean up our state tax code, build strong communities, expand access to opportunities, and improve the quality of life for all Washington residents.
We lead with race because racial inequities across all indicators for success are deep and pervasive. When we work to advance policies that eliminate racial inequity, we are better equipped to transform systems and institutions impacting other groups who also face barriers to opportunity.