State Economy | Research and Publications

State of Working Washington 2007

10.15.2007 | Washington has enjoyed three years of strong job growth, but the effects of recession continue to linger for many families. While we are much further along the path of recovery than the country as a whole, population growth since 2000 has outstripped the supply of newly created jobs. Moreover, the benefits of recent growth are not equitably distributed. Many families are still pinched – even in the midst of a growing economy. | Read

State of Working Washington 2006

10.01.2006 | Washington State experienced strong job growth in 2005 and 2006, but the benefits of the booming economy have been unequally distributed. Because the job market has been so slack for so long, the typical family income has not kept up with inflation. | Read

The Environment, the Economy, and Energy: Redirecting Windfalls for a Renewable Energy Future and a Sustainable Transportation Policy

10.01.2006 | Discusses the energy-economic-environmental quandary confronting us individually and as a society, and explores policy options for rational and democratic energy and transportation policies in our state. | Read

Initiative 933: A Disaster in the Making

10.01.2006 | Our legal system protects private property rights through the state constitution, state statutes, law enforcement, and the courts - it also helps ensure the value of property through environmental laws and land use and zoning regulations. Initiative 933 undermines these foundations for property ownership and individual and mutual prosperity by creating financial incentives for self-selected developers, corporations, and individuals to ignore land use law and regulations or get paid to abide by these regulations. | Read

Regulating the Oil Industry and Corralling Oil Industry Profits for the Benefit of Citizens and Businesses in Washington State

02.01.2006 | Washington state has the authority to create policy to capture some of the windfall profits of oil companies, invest these profits in renewable energy, and regulate gasoline prices. This discussion brief lays out the background and explores policy options for a rational and democratic energy policy in our state. | Read