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
The Working Families Tax Credit will reduce hardship across Washington
Tax credits and flexible cash policies can help more people live with economic dignity
By Margaret Babayan - July 16, 2021
Getting rid of legal financial obligations can protect the economic security of thousands of Washingtonians
New report highlights need to end the inequitable system of fines and fees that disproportionately harms low-income people of color
By Evan Walker - July 14, 2021
New reforms bring balance and equity to state’s tax code and economy
Capital gains wealth tax, Working Families Tax Credit, and investments in kids will boost recovery, enhance quality of life
By Andy Nicholas & Liz Olson & Margaret Babayan | July 07, 2021
Greater investment in kids needed to help them thrive after the pandemic
New KIDS COUNT report highlights many kids in Washington struggle to meet basic needs
June 21, 2021
Lawmakers act to balance state tax code by passing capital gains tax
Budget & Policy Center research provided foundation for this policy win
April 25, 2021
Final budget proposal gets Washington state closer to an inclusive economy
Statement from the Washington State Budget & Policy Center
April 24, 2021
Pop-up art installation in Olympia supports tax on capital gains
Work features artists from across Washington
By Dujie Tahat - April 20, 2021
The Working Families Tax Credit to be enacted in Washington state
In an historic win, nearly one in six households will receive an annual Recovery Rebate
April 16, 2021
House & Senate offer a path to recovery in budget proposals
Policymakers are listening to growing calls for new revenue and more investments
By Margaret Babayan, policy analyst, and Andy Nicholas, senior policy fellow - April 01, 2021
Washington state’s Recovery Rebate is part of nationwide momentum to include immigrants
A growing number of states are making cash assistance inclusive of ITIN filers
By David Hlebain - April 01, 2021
Robust cash support will help ensure an inclusive recovery
State lawmakers must make cash support broadly available to people, regardless of employment or immigration status
By David Hlebain - March 18, 2021
Revenue forecasts don’t reflect the lived experience of communities
Lawmakers must rebalance our tax code to ensure all communities can thrive in the years ahead
By Margaret Babayan and Andy Nicholas - March 17, 2021
Lawmakers must increase the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)/WorkFirst cash grant
TANF benefits, largely unchanged since 1996, are inadequate to support family well-being
By Liz Olson - March 12, 2021
More evidence shows that tax credits are good for health
Policies that provide cash assistance can improve physical and mental health for kids and parents
By Tracy Yeung - March 12, 2021
Important progress happening on tax justice and racial justice
Now policymakers must move key bills forward to sign into law
March 11, 2021
Washington state’s debt-based driver’s license suspension laws mirror racist legal system
SB 5226 would reform driver’s license suspension policies that disproportionately harm Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and people of color
By Evan Walker - March 05, 2021
Washington state’s upside-down tax code is even more racist than you think
Lawmakers can’t stall on reforming a system that channels income to wealthy white households
By Andy Nicholas and Margaret Babayan - February 10, 2021
Legislators must improve unjust driver’s license suspension laws
Getting rid of debt-based license suspensions would bring relief to many Washingtonians
By Evan Walker - February 03, 2021
Our state’s recovery must include immigrant communities
State lawmakers must invest in immigrants excluded from federal relief & state benefit programs
By Liz Olson - February 02, 2021
Washington state needs a Recovery Rebate now
The Rebate – an updated Working Families Tax Credit – would provide cash to around 500,000 households
By Margaret Babayan - January 19, 2021
Governor’s budget a good start, but more must be done to meet urgent need
Washington lawmakers must act boldly this legislative session
By Margaret Babayan, policy analyst, and Andy Nicholas, senior policy fellow - December 23, 2020
New data emphasize need to prioritize support for kids of color during pandemic
Pandemic “pain points” are worsening longstanding disparities, and they must be addressed
December 15, 2020
Lawmakers must change unjust driver’s license suspension policies
Current policies endanger public safety and entrap residents in a cycle of debt and economic hardship
By Evan Walker, policy analyst, and Andy Nicholas, senior policy fellow - November 30, 2020
Washingtonians call for bold action to support an inclusive economic recovery
Even as we await federal election results, people must advocate for key budget and revenue priorities
By Misha Werschkul and Jennifer Tran - November 04, 2020
The 2020 census matters, and there’s still time to be counted
Washington communities deserve fair representation, federal funding, and good data
By Liz Olson - September 18, 2020
To support kids, support their caregivers
KIDS COUNT brief highlights the need to invest in child care workers and educators
August 10, 2020
Washington needs targeted investment in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Investments in families with lower incomes would alleviate the economic pressure of COVID-19
By Evan Walker - August 04, 2020
