The 2026 supplemental budget brings cuts to childcare, education, healthcare, and more
Key opportunities were missed this session to pass progressive revenue for the near term
By Evan Walker | May 07, 2026
This tax day, don’t miss out on your tax credits
Here’s what you need to know about how taxpayers, including immigrants, can claim tax credits
By Leila Reynolds | April 13, 2026
Historic new policy – now signed into law – has been decades in the making!
March 30, 2026
Washington’s new Millionaires Tax offers big support to people throughout the state
Governor Ferguson should keep the funding priorities in the bill intact
By Eli Taylor Goss & Emily Vyhnanek & Evan Walker | March 18, 2026
The Millionaires Tax significantly expands the Working Families Tax Credit
The expansions will provide financial relief to more than one million people and reach nearly half the kids in our state
By Tracy Yeung & Leila Reynolds | March 17, 2026
The Millionaires Tax has passed in the legislature!
What this monumental new progressive revenue tool means for Washington’s budget now and in the future
By Eli Taylor Goss | March 12, 2026
House and Senate supplemental budget proposals rely on cuts and budget maneuvers
Lawmakers refrain from taking bold, immediate steps to address federal program cuts and fix tax code
By Evan Walker | March 05, 2026
Millionaires Tax must address the affordability crisis for everyday people
This tax on the wealthiest few should fund essential services and expand tax credits for working families
By Tracy Yeung & Leila Reynolds | February 26, 2026
Millionaires Tax is a major step toward economic justice in Washington state
Statement from Executive Director Eli Taylor Goss
February 03, 2026
Governor makes large-scale program cuts in proposed supplemental budget
While his long-term revenue proposal is great news, our state needs revenue sooner to prevent harmful cuts
By Mia Shigemura | January 22, 2026
An opportunity economy requires bold choices from state lawmakers
Commentary from the directors of the Budget and Policy Center and the Economic Opportunity Institute
By Eli Taylor Goss and Rian Watt - January 08, 2026
Our 2026 legislative agenda leads with equity
Progressive revenue will be key to protect lifeline programs from proposed cuts
By Evan Walker | January 07, 2026
Revenue not keeping pace with economic growth. Lawmakers need to be bold.
Statement from Executive Director Eli Taylor Goss on the revenue forecast
September 24, 2025
Lifting people out of poverty so they can meet their basic needs requires progressive revenue
New U.S. Census Bureau data show Washington’s poverty rate has not improved since 2018
By Tracy Yeung | September 19, 2025
What the harmful Republican megabill means for people and families in Washington
State lawmakers must step up to protect communities from sweeping federal cuts
By Emily Vyhnanek & Tracy Yeung & Leila Reynolds | September 04, 2025
How the harmful Republican megabill benefits the wealthy at the expense of working families, rural communities, and immigrants
Congressional lawmakers cut Medicaid and food assistance to provide tax breaks for the wealthy
Budget and revenue in our state: What’s good and what’s bad
A visual look at the biennial budget
By Mia Shigemura | August 26, 2025
Washington state must keep families safe and together by strengthening our data privacy laws
By Kaitie Dong | August 07, 2025
“Trump Accounts” are performative equity that would widen the wealth gap
The $1,000-per-baby proposal in the federal budget package is a distraction from cuts to SNAP and Medicaid
By Tracy Yeung | June 12, 2025
House Republicans’ budget proposal targets immigrants and cuts basic needs in order to give a handout to the wealthy
Our federal budget should sustain communities, not threaten immigrants
By Leila Reynolds & Kaitie Dong | June 05, 2025
When it came to balancing the budget, corporate special interests got the final say
May 09, 2025
Cuts would make life harder for everyday people, while the rich get richer
To promote income equality, the governor and legislators must reject risky and harmful across-the-board cuts
By Mia Shigemura | April 18, 2025
This Tax Day, it’s time to get real about fixing our tax code
Five key reasons why lawmakers must pass progressive revenue this session
By Emily Vyhnanek & Melinda Young-Flynn | April 15, 2025
Protecting our immigrant neighbors is essential for our collective well-being
New report shows the economic harm Trump's deportation policies would have in our state
By Kaitie Dong | April 03, 2025
Doing your taxes is easier than ever, thanks to Direct File
This new free tax filing option from the IRS can save people money and time and boost WA’s economy
By Leila Reynolds | March 25, 2025
Lawmakers can’t cut their way to economic prosperity in Washington
Fixing the state tax code is the real solution to the revenue shortfall
February 27, 2025
Q&A with Executive Director Eli Taylor Goss
Get to know the Budget and Policy Center's new executive director
By Iana Mae Abinales | January 28, 2025
Guest post: The staggering cost to collect fees, fines, and restitution in Washington
New estimates suggest state and local governments lose money on court fees and fines
By Gus Patel-Tupper, University of California, Berkeley School of Law - January 24, 2025
A wage replacement program for undocumented workers boosts the economy
An inclusive safety net in case of job loss would support families and workers
By Kaitie Dong | January 16, 2025
Gov. Inslee’s final budget is a playbook for how to protect the well-being of people in our state
This session, budget writers and the incoming governor should adopt new progressive revenue proposals
December 17, 2024
Monetary sanctions imposed by courts continue to cause harmful debt for people in our state
New data from Washington State Center for Court Research report highlights need for reform
By Molly Webster | December 12, 2024
Announcing the Budget and Policy Center’s new executive director!
Eli Taylor Goss will be our organization’s next leader
November 14, 2024
Direct cash can be the foundation for a brighter future
New report lays out principles for designing and improving direct cash programs
By Tracy Yeung & Leila Reynolds | November 13, 2024
State election results reflect Washington’s progressive values
People-powered movements to support a brighter future were resoundingly successful
By Melinda Young-Flynn & Emily Vyhnanek | November 07, 2024
Why these ballot initiatives are bad for Washington
We must reject efforts to undo progress advocates have made to build a better state
By Iana Mae Abinales & Melinda Young-Flynn | October 23, 2024
Healthy home repairs are a comprehensive solution for housing, health, and the environment in Washington
Lawmakers must provide consistent funding for healthy home repairs
By Kaitie Dong & Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin - | July 30, 2024
An announcement from our executive director
July 23, 2024
Fines and fees are a harmful and ineffective source of revenue for Washington courts
A recent report highlights the need for a new funding mechanism
By Molly Webster | June 18, 2024
The IRS Direct File program presents an opportunity to make sure fewer people miss out on their Working Families Tax Credit
A small investment in this federal tax filing program would make claiming the Working Families Tax Credit virtually automatic
By Leila Reynolds | June 12, 2024
Newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers are essential to Washington
Local and state governments must provide them with adequate services and support their integration into our communities and economy
By Kaitie Dong | June 04, 2024
Statement on new estimates for 2024’s capital gains tax revenues
The capital gains excise tax is an essential funding source for early learning and education
By Misha Werschkul | May 22, 2024
The 2024 legislative session’s small victories
The enacted supplemental budget allocates amounts for many of our legislative priorities, although less than needed
By Molly Webster | April 04, 2024
Visualizing the Working Families Tax Credit’s first-year impact
The successes and shortcomings of Washington's state tax credit in 2023
By Molly Webster | March 11, 2024
Legislative budget proposals miss the mark
Lawmakers fail to include funding to promote economic justice
By Molly Webster | February 29, 2024
New state revenue forecast shows ongoing need for progressive revenue
Modest increase in revenue doesn’t keep up with community needs
By Molly Webster | February 15, 2024
A year into the Working Families Tax Credit’s launch, we are seeing impactful results
Combined, the federal EITC and WFTC put an average of almost $3,000 back into the pockets of Washington families and individuals with lower incomes last year
By Leila Reynolds & Tracy Yeung | February 01, 2024
Governor’s proposed supplemental budget focuses on behavioral health and housing resources
Proposal funds some important needs but fails to consider the well-being of everyone in the state
By Kaitie Dong & Evan Walker & Molly Webster & Tracy Yeung | January 18, 2024
SCOTUS decision is great news for Washington state
Statement on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to hear the case to overturn state capital gains tax
January 16, 2024