Expanding the Working Families Tax Credit should start with seniors and young adults
New report shows how young adults, seniors, and low-income adults without kids are left behind by our state tax credit
By Leila Reynolds | January 10, 2024
Press release: Washington state no longer has worst tax code in U.S.
January 09, 2024
Guaranteed basic income is the transformative policy Washington needs
New report shows why Washington state needs to move toward unconditional, unrestricted cash
By Tracy Yeung | January 04, 2024
Data reveals immigrants are vital to Washington’s economy
Lawmakers need to do more to support and protect immigrant workers
By Kaitie Dong | December 14, 2023
Report: Unspent gift card funds should go back to consumers or communities
Corporate loophole in our state’s unclaimed property law has been putting profit over people
By Misha Werschkul | December 12, 2023
Revenue forecast emphasizes need for additional progressive revenue sources
Lawmakers have an opportunity to promote prosperity across the state with a more equitable 2024 supplemental budget
By Molly Webster | November 21, 2023
New data shows direct-cash policies help more people meet basic needs
Updated data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the University of Washington provide a picture of poverty across the state
By Molly Webster | November 14, 2023
Lawmakers missed opportunities this legislative session to make Washington’s tax code more equitable
Progressive revenue reform stalls in 2023
By Andy Nicholas | June 01, 2023
Final budget includes some key criminal legal system funding changes
Legislators expand economic and legal security for criminal legal system-impacted people
By Evan Walker | May 24, 2023
State funding for economic security is like a broken record
Despite some increases, legislators continue pattern of failing to meaningfully improve economic security
By Tracy Yeung | May 23, 2023
New taxes on those of us with financial abundance will create a healthier society
State lawmakers missed opportunity to enact equitable estate tax
By Judy Pigott - May 04, 2023
House and Senate budget proposals address criminal legal system impacts
Lawmakers should adopt funding proposals that get us closer to important reforms
By Evan Walker | April 14, 2023
House budget makes a stronger push for economic security than the Senate
Lawmakers should maintain the House’s proposed funding for cash assistance programs
By Tracy Yeung | April 06, 2023
Huge victory for tax justice
Washington State Supreme Court rightly upholds capital gains tax
March 24, 2023
Equitable new revenue is the only path to a just state budget
Revenue forecast shows lawmakers must get serious about raising taxes on ultra-wealthy
By Andy Nicholas | March 21, 2023
Washington courts shouldn’t be funded off the backs of people who can’t pay fines and fees
Don’t believe false narratives. Fines and fees fund courts, not victim restitution.
By Evan Walker & Melinda Young-Flynn | March 07, 2023
It’s well past time to channel more funding to communities
In crafting a budget, state lawmakers must aim higher than the status quo
By Andy Nicholas | February 27, 2023
Legislators must eliminate youth fines and fees
Testimony: Passing SSB 5474 would bring transformative relief to youth legal system
By Evan Walker | February 22, 2023
The Working Families Tax Credit is now open for applications!
Check out our new resources to support the launch of this groundbreaking new tax credit
By Leila Reynolds | February 01, 2023
Press release: Bill to fix age-based exclusion in state tax credit would help thousands in WA
HB 1075 would increase Working Families Tax credit eligibility by nearly 50%
By Leila Reynolds | January 27, 2023
It’s time to rule: State Supreme Court should uphold commonsense tax
Capital gains tax will support communities across Washington
By Howard Goodfriend - January 26, 2023
Washington Future Fund, or baby bonds, is an important tool to reduce racial wealth inequities
Lawmakers should pass this policy to give babies from families with very little income a start to building wealth
By Tracy Yeung | January 19, 2023
Governor seeks big boost for affordable housing and environmental protection in proposed 2023-25 budget
Funding for most other community priorities would be maintained
December 14, 2022
Press release: Capital gains tax is constitutional, and needed, say tax law experts and advocates
Amicus briefs filed today ahead of January state Supreme Court hearing on child care funding
December 12, 2022
State Supreme Court made right move on rulemaking for Washington state’s capital gains tax
Statement by Budget & Policy Center's Executive Director
By Misha Werschkul | November 30, 2022
Thinking globally, acting locally
Links between economic justice, anti-racist work, and global impact
By Joan Jones, Executive Director of SEIU Washington State Council and Budget & Policy Center board member - November 22, 2022
Advocates won key changes to the Working Families Tax Credit application process
Some administrative barriers remain, especially for ITIN filers
By Leila Reynolds | November 16, 2022
Workers’ rights advocates in Washington lead the way for the nation
Congress held a field hearing on innovations for workers in Seattle & Washington
By Misha Werschkul | August 12, 2022
Seattle’s millionaires would profit most if schools lose funding from capital gains tax
Repealing capital gains tax would give King County’s uber-wealthy a huge, unnecessary tax break
By Andy Nicholas - July 05, 2022
The Working Families Tax Credit application must prioritize accessibility
Administrative barriers in the application process may prevent families who need the credit most from receiving it
By Leila Reynolds & Emily Vyhnanek - June 29, 2022
Reversing Roe is a setback for reproductive, racial, and economic justice
A healthy society must include abortion access for everyone
June 24, 2022
Washingtonians are united on balancing our tax code
Why the initiative to repeal the capital gains tax failed (and rightly so)
By Misha Werschkul - June 16, 2022
Washington state remains a haven for reproductive justice
And there is more work to be done to expand and protect access to abortion care
By Sarah Dixit, Public Affairs Manager at Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho - June 01, 2022
Initiative 1929 is the wrong move for Washington state
Initiative would reduce investments in kids and give a tax cut to the wealthy
By Leila Reynolds & Tracy Yeung - April 18, 2022
Reflecting on progress and big questions after session
There were promising and disappointing outcomes of the short session
By April Dickinson - March 30, 2022
Congress must act to reinstate the expanded Child Tax Credit
Washington data shows impacts of Child Tax Credit and the need for more direct cash assistance
March 15, 2022
Final budget agreement makes important advances for Washington state
New funding is noteworthy, but budget was clouded by opaque decision-making process
By Tracy Yeung and Andy Nicholas - March 10, 2022
Court decision strikes blow to the well-being of Washington’s kids and families
Ruling won't stand in the way of efforts to create a more just and equitable tax code
By Misha Werschkul - March 01, 2022
WA lawmakers budget for communities’ long-term well-being
State House and Senate budget proposals boost and sustain funding for communities, largely reject calls for wasteful tax cuts
February 21, 2022
Legislators must increase opportunities for legal financial obligations (LFO) relief
Passing HB 1412 would bring LFO relief and advance economic, racial, and legal justice
By Evan Walker - February 18, 2022
Now is the time to invest in community foundations and the people they serve
Lawmakers should build on Governor Inslee’s community funding plan – not siphon resources away from public needs
By Tracy Yeung & Andy Nicholas | February 14, 2022
Reforming Washington’s legal system of fines and fees advances racial and economic justice
New policy brief advances needed reforms to Washington’s harmful reliance on legal system fines and fees
By Evan Walker - January 18, 2022
Governor’s improvements to state budget would help many Washingtonians
Statement from the Washington State Budget & Policy Center
By Tracy Yeung | December 16, 2021
Federal American Rescue Plan dollars can help Washington state invest in people, not policing
New report outlines how lawmakers can make investments in non-police alternatives that strengthen communities
By Tracy Yeung - November 22, 2021
Policy choices can build a strong foundation for the lifelong health of kids
New KIDS COUNT brief highlights benefits of social and economic programs on children’s health beyond the pandemic
By Tracy Yeung | November 18, 2021
Washington’s long-term care plan is essential and must be protected
WA Cares is the country’s first affordable and reliable public benefit for long-term care services
By Tracy Yeung & Andy Nicholas | September 13, 2021
The expanded Child Tax Credit’s broad-based access to cash must be made permanent
The current, fully refundable credit is an historic policy shift that should be further improved
By David Hlebain, Margaret Babayan, and Emily Vyhnanek - August 30, 2021
The numbers are in: State investments and federal stimulus put Washington on a real path toward recovery
Tangible, long-overdue budget improvements were made this year, thanks to the hard work of advocates
By Margaret Babayan, senior policy analyst, and Andy Nicholas, senior fellow - August 17, 2021