Building an economy that works. For everyone.
Fair Revenue for an Opportunity Economy in Washington
05.17.2013 | The Great Recession and painfully slow recovery have resulted in five years of fiscal crisis for Washington. But the state began ratcheting down the level of spending on public education at least two decades ago. The level of public support for higher education also has fallen for years and plummeted with the recession, putting the dream of a college education – and the jobs of the future – out of reach for many.
A Work and Family Agenda for Washington
05.17.2013 | The Work and Family Agenda assures that everyone has Paid Sick Days for preventive care or when a nasty virus hits, as well Family and Medical Leave Insurance for the handful of times in their careers when they need longer periods of time off – to welcome a new child, recover from surgery, or care for an aging parent.
Evaluating Paid Sick Leave: Social, Economic and Health Implications for Washington
05.15.2013 | In today’s economy, many families and businesses are struggling to stay afloat. Paid sick leave standards are an important policy tool to help restore economic security for working families, while protecting public health, improving business productivity, supporting families caring for elders, and boosting children’s success in school.
Family and Medical Leave Insurance: How WA’s workers can protect themselves and their families from economic catastrophe
04.26.2013 | Most of the American workforce has only a few days or weeks of paid leave available – and many workers have none at all – leaving families unprotected and businesses vulnerable. Low-income and part-time workers are less likely to receive any type of workplace benefit without legal protection, and many don’t get a single paid day off.
Building a Responsible Budget for Washington State
03.28.2013 |
Washington’s legislature must adopt a budget for the two year
period beginning in July 2013. Our elected leaders can improve
K-12 education, expand access to early learning and higher education,
and protect basic public health and safety by: 1) Raising the
Business and Occupation tax rate for services from 1.5% to 2.5%,
and 2) Ending tax breaks that are outmoded or of lesser priority
than educational opportunity.
Recent News and Opinion from EOI
It's critical to pay for early learning
05.08.2013 | John Burbank | Child-care teaching is one of the most important professions, yet I'm glad my daughter teaches college students, not three- and four-year olds. Why? Because as an early childhood teacher, you progressively earn your way into poverty. Early childhood teachers are paid less than parking attendants. That's not much for someone providing love, learning, and support for our greatest assets – our children. Full Column | Everett Herald »
Rhetoric -- Ours or Theirs?
05.05.2013 | John Burbank | Reform: I can remember when that word encompassed a lot of hopes and dreams for bending the arc of justice. It was less threatening than revolution, more encompassing of all of us together. So what does it mean now? Full Column | Huffington Post »
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Paid Sick Days Success
Learn more about EOI's success bringing together public health groups, businesses, unions and community organizations to pass Paid Sick Days in Seattle!
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