EOI Updates Trump’s payroll tax cut is the wrong prescription for COVID-19 March 13, 2020 / October 26, 2026 by Aaron Keating President Trump, grappling with a brewing economic crisis precipitated by his failure to manage the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, thinks he’s found the answer: a payroll tax cut. It’s the wrong prescription for our economy. As part of a broader package of emergency response, Congress should instead expand Social Security, which – exactly […] Read more »
EOI Updates Despite challenges, health care moved forward in 2020 legislature March 13, 2020 / October 26, 2026 by Sam Hatzenbeler Washington’s 2020 legislative session wraps up just as the extent of the coronavirus crisis is becoming clear and further illuminating holes in our health care system. We knew at the start of session that passing bills with much of a price tag would be an uphill battle, but we did see some movement forward on […] Read more »
EOI Updates Coronavirus is breaking our economy. A stimulus package that puts individual Americans first can fix it. March 12, 2020 / October 9, 2026 by Economic Opportunity Institute Read more »
EOI Updates State government must do more to protect our economy from the virus March 9, 2020 / October 26, 2026 by John Burbank In the current and accelerating health and economic crisis, state and local policy makers need the tools to activate resources to protect Washington residents. This is particularly important as public health needs are escalating while public revenues are dropping. We understand that the Legislature will adjourn soon, so this may be something that our leaders must […] Read more »
EOI Updates Without government spending, coronavirus May cause Washington’s economic collapse March 6, 2020 / October 26, 2026 by Marilyn Watkins The usual lunchtime crowds are gone from downtown Seattle, as businesses and individuals heed the advice of public health officials to stay home if sick and work from home if they can. That means no more long lines at food trucks, restaurants, and retail shops. We don’t know yet how the COVID-19 crisis will ultimately […] Read more »
EOI Updates Coronavirus and keeping our communities healthy March 4, 2020 / October 26, 2026 by Marilyn Watkins Washington State and Seattle may be the epicenter for coronavirus in the US. Fortunately, we also have a strong public health system and some of the most comprehensive paid leave laws in the country. The best advice from the CDC and public health officials to avoid getting and spreading disease: Stay home when sick Wash […] Read more »
EOI Updates Ins and outs of Sunday’s March to tax Amazon March 3, 2020 / October 9, 2026 by Economic Opportunity Institute Read more »
EOI Updates Paul Allen’s estate taxes are probably responsible for Washington’s $300 million budget windfall February 28, 2020 / October 9, 2026 by Economic Opportunity Institute Read more »
EOI Updates Where is my paid leave? February 25, 2020 / October 26, 2026 by Laura Brown Here’s what we’ve seen since the implementation of Paid Family and Medical Leave in Washington state on January 1, 2020: 35,000 applications submitted; $15 million in benefits delivered to Washington workers; And a whole lot of waiting. Applications are now taking 10 weeks to process, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD) which administers Paid […] Read more »
EOI Updates As more people need degrees, rural Washingtonians are left behind February 14, 2020 / October 26, 2026 by Sara Bekele Community colleges provide students with a pathway to higher education that is close to home and more affordable. They are especially attractive to students experiencing various barriers to economic opportunity. Community colleges serve diverse populations, spanning from recent high school graduates earning college credit to transfer to four-year institutions to older students with caretaking responsibilities […] Read more »
