News & Stories
Policy is personal. So, we want to share more than just data.
Stay up to date with our legislative updates, organizational news, media mentions, and more.
Half of U.S. workers do not have access to a retirement plan at work other than Social Security. We must continue to fight in Congress to strengthen that fundamental program, but other forms of retirement savings will remain important for long-term economic security, especially as our population ages. The modern workforce is highly mobile among […]
Washington has become the first state to extend the enrollment deadline for health insurance, allowing uninsured people to get healthcare coverage through tax season. Washington Healthplanfinder has opened a spring special enrollment period, making April 17th the new deadline. New and renewing customers who qualify for the Spring 2015 Special Enrollment Period include individuals who […]
Elissa Goss testifies before the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee in opposition to Senate Bill 5421 (teen summer wage) and Senate Bill 5422 (teen training wage), recounting her experience trying to get by on the minimum wage – and explaining why paying teens less for their work will hurt Washington’s young adults: Good afternoon, My name is […]
This past week, I heard Lilia, a working mom, testify to legislators in Olympia that even with two jobs, she has to remind her teenage sons to limit themselves to one glass of milk — because she can’t afford to buy more. Another mother, Bianca, testified her job did not provide sick leave. She ended […]
Today, 43 million private-sector workers do not have access to paid sick days. But there is a solution. And Washington State Senator Patty Murray is charging full speed ahead towards making that solution a reality in America. Senator Murray and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) introduced a bill last week called the Healthy Families Act, which would allow workers with 15 or […]
Our work to create a stronger health care system is far from over. Even after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the expansion of Medicaid nearly one in ten Washington residents still does not have health insurance, and factors like income, race and immigration status still determine our health outcomes. It’s time to […]
Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director of MomsRising.org, testifies before the Washington State House Commerce & Labor Committee on HB 1356 (paid sick and safe leave) and HB 1355 ($12/hour minimum wage), February 17, 2015: Mr. Chair, and members of the Committee, thank you for having me here today. My name is Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner and I’m the Executive Director of MomsRising, […]
Marilyn Watkins, EOI’s Policy Director, testifies before the Washington State House Commerce & Labor Committee on HB 1356 (paid sick and safe leave), HB 1355 ($12/hour minimum wage), and HB 1354 (employee anti-retaliation), February 17, 2015: I’m Marilyn Watkins of EOI. Together these 3 bills strengthen our state economy, not only in the short run by boosting family […]
If your friend told you that she could get a payday loan of $700, and that the interest would be 36 percent, plus a small loan origination fee of 15 percent, plus a monthly maintenance fee of 7.5 percent, you might advise her to get out her calculator. Here’s why: That $700 loan could cost […]
New Jersey will create a task force to study how to make college more affordable for the state’s students under a law signed Thursday. The commission will study a “Pay it Forward Pilot Program,” in which public college and universities could waive tuition and fees in favor of taking a percentage of students’ future earnings. It […]
Sandy Restrepo, a local attorney, testifies to the Washington State House Labor Committee in favor of the Equal Pay Opportunity Act (HB 1646), February 2, 2015: Hello my name is Sandy Restrepo and I’m here today to testify in support of HB 1646, the Equal Pay Opportunity Act. As a mother, Latina and now lawyer, I have […]
Marilyn Watkins, EOI’s Policy Director, spoke before the Washington State Senate Commerce & Labor Committee on SB 5421 (teen summer employment wage) and SB 5422 (temporary teen training wage), February 4, 2015: Good afternoon. I am Marilyn Watkins with the Economic Opportunity Institute, testifying in opposition to SB 5421 and 5422. I applaud the concern of the sponsors for our […]
Olivia Roskill, a high school student in Redmond, WA, testifies to the Washington State House Labor Committee in favor of the Equal Pay Opportunity Act (HB 1646), February 2, 2015: Chair, and members of the Committee, thank you for having me here today. My name is Olivia Roskill and I attend high school in Redmond, WA. I’m […]
Janet Chung, Legal and Legislative Counsel at Legal Voice, testifies to the Washington State House Labor Committee in favor of the Equal Pay Opportunity Act (HB 1646), February 2, 2015: Good afternoon Mr. Chair and Members of the Committee. My name is Janet Chung and I work for Legal Voice, a nonprofit organization that works to advance […]
Patrick Williams, a soon-to-be dad, has a pointed question for Washington state legislators about when they’ll finally take action on family and medical leave insurance (HB 1273): Full text: “Good morning. My name is Patrick Williams. My wife, Caitlin, and I are eagerly awaiting the birth of our first child. I met Caitlin in San Francisco, where I […]
Pressure on the state budget seems to be coming from every direction. The Washington State Supreme Court has ordered Washington to fully fund K-12 education, a total that is estimated to cost at least $2 billion per two-year budget cycle. Adding to the state’s financial squeeze, investments need to be made to fund I-1351, an […]
Marilyn Watkins, EOI’s Policy Director, makes the case for family and medical leave insurance (House Bill 1273) to Washington state legislators (Jan. 29, 2015): Full testimony: “Good morning. I’m Marilyn Watkins of the Economic Opportunity Institute. It should never be a matter of luck whether a parent can afford to spend the first precious weeks and […]
Patrick Williams, a soon-to-be dad, has a pointed question for Washington state legislators about whether they’ll take action on family and medical leave insurance (HB 1273): Full text: “Good morning. My name is Patrick Williams. My wife, Caitlin, and I are eagerly awaiting the birth of our first child. I met Caitlin in San Francisco, where I […]
“Rising tuition is not unique to the University of Washington. It is being felt by students across the country and has profound implications for both the individual and the economy at large.” Washington State is facing a college tuition crisis. With a 650% increase since the 1970s, the debt load has reached $1.2 trillion, having a […]
Few issues before Washington legislators in 2015 can match the overwhelming level of public support for increasing the minimum wage and ensuring every worker can earn paid sick days. Lawmakers will listen — if we speak loudly enough to be heard. A recent statewide survey of 1,000 Washingtonians found over 64% of voters support increasing the minimum wage and believe […]
12… 12… 12. It seems that everywhere we look, we see 12s. Windows, doors, cars, shirts, socks … 12, 12, 12. Which is as it should be, leading up to the second Super Bowl in a row for the Seahawks. There are 11 Seahawks on the field at any one time and they are surrounded […]
Adopting a budget will be the main task of Washington’s legislature in 2015. The state’s elected leaders face a big challenge. Income inequality is constricting family budgets and the whole economy, here in Washington and nationwide. Washington also has an outdated tax system that no longer fits our economy. As a result, public revenues from […]
Join us for this free public forum to learn how expanding Social Security can help stop the collapse of the middle class, lessen the pressure squeezing families from all directions, and end the upward redistribution of wealth that has resulted in perilous levels of inequality. Featuring Nancy Altman and Eric Kingson (co-authors of the new […]
By Marilyn Watkins, Ph.D and Sam Hatzenbeler, MPHc From high-profile CEOs and movie stars to healthcare and retail workers, men consistently make more than women. Social scientists and economists have found clear evidence that gender-based discrimination persists – and is so deeply ingrained in culture and practice that it often goes unrecognized. Ensuring that all […]