2003 Policy Agenda
Competitiveness Through Fiscal Discipline & Job Creation
Overview
Washington state is at a crossroads. A sagging economy has led to
consistently high unemployment and the loss of tens of thousands of
private sector jobs. This downturn is much different than past
economic recessions. Many jobs will not come back because, in the
face of recession and fierce competition, employers have made
structural changes or focused growth outside the state. Washington
must rebuild its economic base. The first critical step must be for
state government to make the adjustments necessary to live within its
means and adopt a 2003-05 operating budget based on projected
revenues. Policymakers must also take decisive action to improve
infrastructure, the regulatory climate and education. Without these
improvements, state leaders risk condemning Washington to a future far
below its potential and the expectations of its citizenry.
The Washington
Roundtable calls on policymakers to:
-
Enact a
sustainable biennial budget that nurtures economic growth.
-
Address urgent
need for efficiency and improvements in the state transportation
system.
-
Implement major
regulatory reforms.
-
Articulate a
detailed and orderly plan to implement the Certificate of Mastery
graduation requirement in 2008.
-
Provide more
management tools for higher education institutions and focus
resources.
First Priority
Enact A
Sustainable Biennial Budget
That Nurtures Economic Growth.
Washington state faces its greatest financial challenge
in decades. The most important step policymakers can take in 2003 is
to enact a budget that encourages employers to invest in new jobs for
Washingtonians. State leaders must address fast-growing budget items
and other underlying structural problems to ensure long-term
sustainability. They must enact a budget that prioritizes the most
critical state functions and nurtures economic growth by living within
the confines of projected revenues. Policymakers are urged to adhere
to the following principles:
-
Develop a
results-based – not incremental – budget that prioritizes government
services and purchases those deemed most critical.
-
Do not further
erode state competitiveness by raising business taxes or taking
steps that impede economic recovery and cripple long-term state
revenue growth.
-
Enact sustainable
spending policies, avoiding the use of one-time funds to support
on-going programs and curtailing spending in fast-growing areas.
-
Adopt a “whole
budget” approach, evaluating all budget areas including the General
Fund, Health Services Account and all other dedicated funds.
-
Begin to rebuild
the reserve to five percent of the General Fund biennial budget.
Address Urgent Need For
Efficiency And Improvements
In The State Transportation System.
Washington state has repeatedly failed to secure
long-overdue investments in transportation. The state’s antiquated
infrastructure continues to stifle the economy, threaten jobs and harm
quality of life with no indication of relief in sight. The Washington
Competitiveness Council said investing in transportation is the most
important step the state can take to improve competitiveness. This
issue demands leadership to reestablish much-needed public
credibility. Policymakers must take visible steps to:
-
Implement
state-mandated performance standards that ensure accountability and
improve efficiency.
-
Provide clear,
continuous communication with the public and develop a transparent
process whereby citizens can better understand project selection,
costs and spending.
-
Pass legislation
that commits new revenue to fund critical transportation projects
statewide.
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Implement
Major
Regulatory Reforms.
Washington’s regulatory system has
continually been identified as a major inhibitor of competitiveness
and employment growth. The regulatory system must become more
predictable and solution-oriented in order to provide protections
while also stimulating economic growth. The Roundtable urges
policymakers to significantly reduce the time and cost associated with
state regulations as recommended in the Washington Competitiveness
Council report. Policymakers should:
-
Form a
new agency authorized to review all regulations before they are
proposed as rules and require cost-benefit analysis for any proposed
regulation before it takes effect.
-
Work
with local governments to identify and prepare pre-permitted sites
consistent with the state’s economic development strategy.
-
Benchmark and enforce permitting timelines.
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Articulate A Detailed And Orderly
Plan To Implement
The Certificate Of Mastery
Graduation Requirement In 2008.
Full
implementation of the Certificate of Mastery graduation requirement is
the state’s best hope to ensure students obtain the skills and
knowledge they need to step onto the first rung of the ladder to
opportunities and economic advancement. Now is the time for strong
leadership – not timidity and the status quo. Policymakers must
immediately articulate a detailed plan to implement the Certificate of
Mastery reading, writing and math requirements as one condition for
graduation starting with the class of 2008 and the science requirement
starting with the class of 2010. The plan must include:
-
Curriculum
alignment to ensure students are taught what they need to achieve
the Certificate.
-
Student incentives
to achieve the Certificate prior to 2008, such as aligned
postsecondary education admissions requirements and scholarships.
-
Access to
appropriate additional learning opportunities for those students who
do not meet all Certificate requirements on their first attempt.
-
Multiple
opportunities for students to certify by retaking all or parts of
the 10th grade WASL.
-
Alternate measures
for students in special circumstances to demonstrate their knowledge
of the 10th grade standards.
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Provide More
Management Tools For Higher Education Institutions
And Focus
Resources.
An effective
and adaptable higher education system has a far-reaching impact on
Washington state’s ability to compete in a global, knowledge-based
economy. The state’s higher education institutions play a critical
role in developing Washington’s future workforce, while research
institutions also contribute substantially to development of the
pioneering technologies that will drive much of the state’s future
economy. The Washington Roundtable calls on policymakers to:
-
Significantly increase management flexibility at
institutions, including full tuition-setting authority, so they can
manage resources more efficiently.
-
Protect, to the extent possible, core funding for
institutions.
-
Focus resources on “Centers of Competitive Advantage”
that are determined to be drivers of Washington’s future economic
vitality.
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Support for Improved
Competitiveness
Recognizing Fiscal
Realities.
Improving the state’s business climate remains the best strategy for
achieving the economic recovery that will generate the revenues
required to adequately fund essential public services. –
Washington Research Council
Transportation
Improvements Remain a Priority.
The
most important competitive investment the State of Washington can make
is to improve its transportation infrastructure. To ensure Washington
state's prosperity in the future…we must improve our ability to move
people and products. –
Washington Competitiveness Council.
Regulatory Reform Works.
States
that implement strategic regulatory reform can reap major benefits,
bringing in billions in new investment and encouraging growth of
existing businesses while also protecting the environment. –
Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy
Graduation Standards Make
an Impact.
The knowledge and skills needed to land a well-paying
career a generation ago are only adequate for a minimum wage job
today. The Certificate of Mastery helps ensure that all students –
not just the college bound – receive a strong education and have the
basic skills needed to succeed after high school. –
Partnership for Learning
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