Chairman Craig Williamson Staff 16 | President Daniel Mead Smith Budget $1,941,178 (2014) | |
Motto Improving lives through market solutions Mission To promote sound public policy based on free-market solutions | ||
The Washington Policy Center (WPC) is a free market think tank based in the state of Washington. The organization's stated mission is "to promote sound public policy based on free-market solutions." It has a statewide staff of 16 and offices in Seattle, Olympia, Spokane, and Pasco. The organization is divided into six research centers: Education, Environment, Government Reform, Health Care, Small Business and Transportation, with a research center director that leads research efforts in each area.
Contents
- Research Centers
- Center for Education
- Center for Environment
- Center for Government Reform
- Center for Health Care
- Center for Transportation
- Center for Small Business
- References
WPC operates a free public-service website, WashingtonVotes.org, which tracks what bills state legislators introduce and support. WashingtonVotes.org provides a roll call service to state media outlets while the legislature is in session.
Research Centers
Washington Policy Center comprises six research centers: Education, Environment, Government Reform, Health Care, Small Business and Transportation. The research centers were funded and opened as part of a $4.1 million capital campaign.
Center for Education
WPC's Center for Education "conducts objective research and makes practical policy recommendations to improve Washington state's ability to carry out its paramount duty to educate every child within its borders." The center is a strong advocate for school choice and is a leading proponent of charter schools in Washington state.
In 2008, the center published Education Reform Plan: 8 Practical Ways to Improve Public Education in Washington State. The recommendations include:
Center for Environment
WPC's Center for the Environment "brings balance to the environmental debate by promoting the idea that human progress and prosperity work in a free economy to protect the environment."
Center for Government Reform
WPC's Center for Government Reform's mission is to "partner with stakeholders and citizens to work toward a government focused on its core functions while improving its transparency, accountability, performance, and effectiveness for taxpayers."
Center for Health Care
WPC's Center for Health Care develops "patient-centered solutions to reduce costs and improve the availability and quality of health care for businesses and individuals, providing the only detailed, independent critique of health care issues available in the Northwest."
Center for Transportation
WPC's Center for Transportation "researches and analyzes the best practices for relieving traffic congestion by recapturing a vision of a system based on freedom of movement."
Center for Small Business
WPC's Center for Small Business "focuses on improving Washington's small business climate by working closely with business owners and policymakers. The Center provides accurate information and analysis on the state's regulatory climate, tax structure, health insurance systems, and more."