Ross Hunter

Month: December 2011

  • Data on State Employee Compensation

    Data on State Employee Compensation

    I’ve answered a lot of mail in the past few weeks and one theme that threads through many of the emails is that the number of state employees is increasing rapidly, that they are paid way too much, and that their benefits are vastly greater than private sector workers. The conclusion is that we should…

  • Washington State and local taxes drop to lowest level in 50 years

    Washington State and local taxes drop to lowest level in 50 years

    The DOR released this as part of their “Revenue Update” for the month. Washington’s state and local taxes (as a percent of personal income) dropped to their lowest level in 50 years in Fiscal Year 2009, according to new figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Washington taxes dropped to $93.24 per $1,000 personal income…

  • Post-Special Session Newsletter

    Now that the “special” session is over I’ve been motivated to write a newsletter that answers many of the questions I’ve received in email. If you want to print it click here for the PDF version that’s better formatted for your printer (or at least for mine.) As always, it’s an honor and a privilege…

  • Internet Sales Growth Explosive, Compared to In-Store Sales

    The following article was sent to me by the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Governing Board, an organization representing more than half the states that charge sales tax. In it you see the shift to Internet retailing and the consequent loss of sales tax revenue for the state. We are attempting to convince Congress that…

  • Budget “down-payment” will be heard today

    OLYMPIA – A bipartisan plan to take a big bite out of the projected $2 billion state budget shortfall will be heard Monday by the House Ways and Means Committee. The bill, sponsored by Chair Ross Hunter, D-Medina, makes $479.7 million in cuts to the 2011-13 budget, which was initially adopted last spring. Since then,…

  • Slow-Motion Default in Wenatchee

    I’m disappointed that the Legislature failed to address the slow-motion financial default in progress in Wenatchee. 7 cities and 2 counties got together and agreed to build an arena in Wenatchee. They used a stream of money from the state plus the expected “operating profits” from the arena to get a construction loan in 2008,…

  • 520 Tolling to Start Dec 29

    520 Tolling to Start Dec 29

    WSDOT sent out the following press release today. You may want to get your Good to Go pass soon.The pass offers a significant discount on the toll. Ross ————- SR 520 tolling to start on Thursday, December 29 Today we announced that tolling will start on SR 520 on Thursday, December 29. If drivers haven’t…