Reform the emergency powers used by Gov. Inslee | Op-Ed
Whether there should be emergency powers reform isn’t a partisan debate, it’s a fundamental institutional question on the role of the legislature and representative government.
Jason Mercier
New options for public to engage remotely with Legislature worked | Op-Ed
In the past, it took paid lobbyists to get the attention not available to average citizens. This new method of remote testimony is clearly a...
Shrink the number of statewide elected offices to increase public accountability | Op-Ed
Reducing the number of statewide elected offices would shorten the length of the ballot and, more importantly, focus public accountability in a way that people...
Washington lawmakers should listen to voters: No new taxes | Op-Ed
The governor’s decision to not propose general tax increases in his budget along with the anti-tax election message from voters should make the decision during...
Call capital-gains tax for what it really is — an income tax | Op-Ed
The only place an “excise tax” on capital gains exists is in the minds of those trying to circumvent the state constitution and voters’ consistent...
Local income taxes are illegal — but that’s not stopping Seattle | Op-Ed
Court cases often involve complex legal issues. This legal question, however, is not complicated: An income tax at the local level is clearly illegal in...
CON | Is a capital gains tax really needed? | Op-Ed
If supporters of a capital gains tax really believe in their idea, they should call it what it actually is — an income tax —...
State should make state income-tax ban crystal clear | Op-Ed
Lawmakers in Washington should let the people vote on a constitutional amendment making our state’s ban on an income tax crystal clear and guard it...
Lawmakers aren’t listening to the voters on tax increases | Guest columnist
It is time for state lawmakers to realize that six votes of approval for a supermajority on tax increases must be taken seriously.
3 budget reforms to end the threat of state government shutdown | Guest columnist
There is no reason why a government shutdown should occur, even in a deficit situation.