2006 Policy Agenda
building a foundation for enduring prosperity

Overview

Following years of high unemployment and recession in the first part of this decade, Washington is fostering a budding economic recovery. Lawmakers have an opportunity to make Washington a place where employers are encouraged to grow, where citizens can build careers and where all of our young people have a chance at fulfilling lives. Or, policymakers can be lured into complacency, neglecting the demands of an increasingly competitive global economy and leaving Washington's future to chance. Our state lawmakers must take action to improve Washington’s position as a viable competitor in the innovation economy. Such actions will protect the budding yet fragile economy and provide a foundation for enduring prosperity.

2006: Protect and Foster Budding Economic Growth

Maintain the Certificate of Academic Achievement as one condition for high school graduation beginning in 2008.

Approve an alternative means by which students, who have attempted the 10th grade WASL at least twice, can demonstrate achievement of the state's 10th grade standards. The alternative must be an equivalent measure of the state's learning requirements.
Prioritize investment in education to provide assistance for students who struggle to meet state learning standards in high school.

Rededicate our state to priorities-based budgeting and improve fiscal stability.

Enact a supplemental budget that reduces the carry-forward (cost of maintaining services into the 2007-09 biennium) and addresses unfunded pension liabilities.
Avoid creation of programs or compensation increases in the 2006 supplemental budget unless they result in cost savings.
Maintain a reserve of at least $500 million in the 2006 supplemental budget in order to protect against potential economic downturn.

Make improvements in highways, roads and bridges throughout the state to alleviate congestion, improve safety and avert disaster.

Ensure that the 2005 transportation package results in visible improvements and fully communicate with citizens regarding performance audit results and progress.
Provide the tools and flexibility necessary for regions across the state to invest in high-impact, high-priority transportation projects.

Reduce health care inflation and its impact on other state spending priorities – Health care spending in Washington state is increasing at nearly twice the rate of state revenues. Consequently, health care spending is cannibalizing funding for other state services and undermining budget stability. Lawmakers must begin working now to reduce the rate of health care inflation and make Washington more competitive in its health care spending levels.
Protect core funding and increase support for research at the state’s postsecondary institutions – Washington’s postsecondary research institutions are the birthplace of new industries and drivers of economic growth. Historically, however, lawmakers have not prioritized funding for higher education. If Washington is going to compete successfully in the innovation economy, lawmakers must make higher education a priority – particularly support for the research institutions – and ensure those institutions produce the results that will foster future economic growth. Lawmakers can begin by prioritizing state support for research and providing a start-up investment for the Life Sciences Discovery Fund.