Budget & Taxes Video
Budget & Taxes Video
A budget is where priorities meet realities. At least that's how it should work.
The problem with government is that it gets to write the rules--about tax rates, fees, and even what counts as a balanced budget. That makes it easy for politicians to pretend everything is a priority and every moment a crisis demanding greater sacrifice from taxpayers.
The Freedom Foundation is a tireless voice for priority-based budgeting in state and local government. We work with responsible policymakers to craft sound, balanced budgets. We expose irresponsibility and gimmicks. We helped launch performance audits in Washington State as well as the model for health savings accounts eventually adopted into federal law.
We work with elected officials and citizens to make government budget writing transparent and to focus it on real priorities, cutting spending on programs that are unnecessary, counterproductive or unconstitutional.
The principles are pretty simple: taxes should be as low, simple, and fair as possible and budgets should be balanced.
September 27, 2012
A Better Ohio: Lessons Learned
I was recently asked to go to Ohio to film and document the impact of a dispute over natural resources and taxes between Republican Gov. John Kasich and the poorer communities found in Southeastern Ohio.
Southeastern Ohio is in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains chain and has always been known for being a poorer part of the state and our country. However, recent advances in technology have proven very beneficial to the people of the region. You see, Southeastern Ohio is...Read more here
August 07, 2012
Talk Back On Jobs - Is A Minimum Wage Fair'
Fairness is always on people's minds and no one wants someone to be left behind. Some believe that a minimum wage will address fairness concerns and even the playing field.
But does a minimum wage actually push lower qualified workers out of the workforce?
May 29, 2012
Secretary of State Debate - May 24, 2012
Video from our Secretary of State debate in Kirkland, WA, held on May 24, 2012 featuring David Anderson (I), Jim Kastama (D) and Kim Wyman (R).
May 29, 2012
State Auditor Debate Video - May 24, 2012
Video from our State Auditor debate in Kirkland, WA, held on May 24, 2012 featuring Troy Kelley (D), Mike Miloscia (D) and James Watkins (R).
May 22, 2012
Video: "America at a Crossroads" with Stephen Moore
Dr. Mathew Manweller of Central Washington University and Stephen Moore of the Wall Street Journal joined Founders Club and Legacy Society Members of the Freedom Foundation to discuss the economy and the 2012 elections. For information on joining the Founders Club or our Legacy Society, please contact our office. And don't miss our next event: Principles 2 Action.
April 26, 2012
Tabletop Economics
Sometimes when we look at big numbers, our eyes glaze over. At a certain point, the numbers are so big and unfathomable that they don't even seem real. This is often the case when talking state budget numbers. So how do we make it all make sense? I'm glad you asked! This video takes a look at the 2012 Washington State budget and compares it to an average household budget. It seems no matter how hard our elected official try, they still seem to miss one simple point, don't spe...Read more here
March 08, 2012
Will Chopp, Brown fail to meet today's deadline'
Surprise--today is the mandatory last day of the 2012 legislative session!
Actually, it's no surprise at all. Nor was it a surprise 60 days ago, when the session began, that the current state budget was in need of repairs. Everybody knew then that fixing the budget was the one and only thing the legislature was obligated to get done.
February 12, 2012
Session Watch - Seen and unseen consequences of economic stimulus
It's a problem with all government spending: the easiest thing to know are the stated intentions of the politicians, followed by the direct results of the spending. But what's all too invisible are the consequences of the taxation (now, or in the future as a result of deficit spending). Government might "create" a job, but only by extracting resources from the private sector that could have been used to create a job or a product or an innovation. What is easy to see is not al...Read more here
February 11, 2012
Session Watch - Stimulating the economy ... or fish'
One of the "economic stimulus" plans floating around in Olympia seems, well, a little fishy.
Before you swallow Olympia's claims, check the fine print. Stimulus plans that supposedly fund infrastructure may be providing bigger culverts for fish rather than better roads or ports for private enterprise.
February 08, 2012
Session Watch - Borrowing money to stimulate Washington state's economy
For a limited time only.... Super low interest rates.... Act now, this deal won't last long.
You've heard the radio commercials and seen the sign-spinners trying to compel you to take a financial risk that may well be unwise. But some of your legislators have caught the bug. They hope to goose our state's economy by borrowing against future tax revenues and spending the money on, well, stuff that people will get paid to do.
It's a classic "seen and unseen" problem--but we'l...Read more here
February 07, 2012
Session Watch - Licensing Amateur Martial Arts
Who would know our state has a budget problem? Some legislators just want to keep expanding the power of the state--even to regulating amateur martial arts. And HB 2301 is on its way to the House floor. This kind of licensing is emblematic of the abusive growth of the state. It's usually pushed by established businesses who want to protect their turf--and government power is so much cleaner than going to the mob.
Free people are not required to get licenses--government permi...Read more here
January 27, 2012
Session Watch - Abortion Mandate Legislation
Choice? Or no choice? House Bill 2330, sponsored by 33 House Democrats, and Senate Bill 6185, sponsored by 13 Senate Democrats, would force insurance carriers to include abortion coverage in any policy that also includes maternity coverage. Bottom line: these legislators do not believe that women deserve a choice in health insurance. And for pro-life women, that means you would subsidize the abortions through your premiums.
January 12, 2012
Session Watch - Gay Marriage Gag
Suddenly, after seven years in office, Gov. Gregoire has determined that changing the states marriage laws is an immediate moral imperative. Why?
January 11, 2012
Session Watch - Top 3 Topics
What are the top three topics for the legislative session that began this week? Elections are a big one, with redistricting (that only happens every ten years) and every house member and half the state senate up for re-election in the fall. The budget is a close and not unrelated second....
January 10, 2012
Session Watch - Intro to Legislative Session
With the budget deficit looming, what will the state of WA do? We analyze what your legislator is doing and tell you how you can get informed and stay involved.
October 17, 2011
The Informed Voter Guide Ad
It can be tricky to make the right decision when it comes to voting on an initiative. More often than not you don’t have enough information to make a confident choice either way. But now you can get the unbiased facts about the 2011 Washington initiatives by reading our Initiative Guide! We cover everything you need to know to make a good decision about I-1125, I-1163, and I-1183, as well as SJR 8205 and SJR 8206.
June 28, 2011
Economic Freedom & Quality of Life
Economic Freedom and the Quality of Life is a short, informative video centered on the ideas of economic freedom and the societal benefits it produces. The video helps explain what economic freedom is and why it's key to improving society.
June 23, 2011
Unleashing Capitalism
Welcome to the great state of South Carolina. A state of denial and despair. A state of failure and frustration. A state of disillusion. How did we get here? We gave politicians too much power. We stopped watching them. Politicians priorities are not ours. We've trusted them to make decisions for us. Look where that got us. The 4th highest unemployment rate in the country. The 3rd highest student drop-out rate. The 6th poorest state in the nation. It's time to take power back...Read more here
June 03, 2011
2011 Session Wrap Up: Olympia Weekly
With the legislative session over we look back at what happened in Olympia throughout the last 4 months. Who were the winners and losers this legislative session.