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
A conversation with the 2020-21 Narver Fellow
By April Dickinson - June 03, 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
It is critical to our future to protect the democratic process & dismantle white supremacy
A statement from the Washington State Budget & Policy Center
January 15, 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
Washington’s kids need investments – not short-sighted cuts – to weather the COVID-19 crisis
KIDS COUNT brief urges lawmakers to act boldly on behalf of kids & families
By Liz Olson - October 28, 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
Federal leaders must keep money flowing to support equitable economic recovery
Republican COVID-19 relief plan doesn’t meet need of Washingtonians
By Julie Watts - July 28, 2020
Now is the time to invest in the health of Washington’s people and communities
Our new brief offers state policy recommendations for the COVID-19 recovery
By Margaret Babayan - July 22, 2020
Washington state’s essential workers deserve relief & real protections
Black, Latinx, immigrant, & women workers are keeping our communities afloat
By Liz Olson - July 20, 2020
A conversation with the 2019-20 Narver Fellow
By April Dickinson - June 25, 2020
Cash, food, & housing assistance play a critical role in COVID-19 recovery
Strengthen public supports to stabilize Washington families
By Liz Olson - June 23, 2020
Dismal economic forecast shows need for bold investments
Cutting public supports will only make things worse
By Andy Nicholas - June 18, 2020
Washington lawmakers: Invest in communities, don’t make knee-jerk cuts
We call on leaders to respond wisely to this economic crisis
June 17, 2020
Proposals from state agencies paint devastating picture of all cuts approach
Washington state’s elected leaders must chart a different path with community needs at the center
By Misha Werschkul, executive director, and Liz Olson, policy analyst - June 10, 2020
Washington needs a state cash stimulus
Lawmakers must invest in the people and communities that drive our economy
By Emily Vyhnanek & Margaret Babayan | May 28, 2020
It’s time to include undocumented immigrants in state response to COVID-19
Undocumented immigrants excluded from more than $700 million in economic relief so far
By Misha Werschkul, executive director, and Margaret Babayan, policy analyst - May 21, 2020
Envisioning a just and inclusive future for our state
Principles for a state policy response to the COVID-19 economic fallout
April 15, 2020
We must protect and boost public investments at this critical time
April 02, 2020
New federal bill to mitigate COVID-19’s economic impact: Three things for Washingtonians to know
It’s a step forward, but plan is inadequate and excludes important members of our communities
By Misha Werschkul - March 27, 2020
Lawmakers made progress to promote economic security, but much more is needed
New policies can start to address the economic crisis we now face
By Evan Walker, Narver policy fellow, Liz Olson, policy analyst, and Melinda Young-Flynn, communications director - March 20, 2020
Lawmakers must continue to support people’s economic security during this public health crisis
Policymakers, advocates can take steps to support economic well-being amid the COVID-19 outbreak
By Margaret Babayan, policy analyst, and Misha Werschkul, executive director - March 09, 2020
Three takeaways from the House and Senate budget proposals
Proposals are a good start, but lawmakers must invest more in communities of color and create new tax revenue
By Margaret Babayan, policy analyst, and Liz Olson, policy analyst - February 26, 2020
The revenue forecast explained in GIFs (and one chart)
What to watch for in the state economic and revenue forecast
By Margaret Babayan, policy analyst, and Misha Werschkul, executive director - February 18, 2020
Kids and parents deserve a stronger WorkFirst/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program
Lawmakers should reinvest in basic support for families experiencing poverty
By Liz Olson - February 13, 2020