State Economy Publications

2008-2010 State Economy Publications

Washington’s Working Women 2010: Progress stalled without new workplace policies

05.07.2010 | The lingering impacts of recession highlight the central importance of women’s work to family economic survival - but also the gulf that still separates women’s earnings from men’s and the need for new policies that promote healthy workplaces and healthy families.

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The State of Working Washington 2009: The path out of recession and into prosperity for Washington's families

12.01.2009 | A new analysis of Washington’s economy reveals that many hallmarks of middle-class life – owning a home, sending the kids to college, having health care, and building a retirement nest egg – have become increasingly unattainable for local families. How will state leaders respond? The State of Working Washington 2009 examines these and other economic trends, and offers an agenda for shared prosperity to position Washington State and its people for future economic growth.

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Washington's Working Women: Not equal yet

03.30.2009 | Women’s earnings are essential to economic security for the majority of families in Washington State, where women comprise about half of all workers. But over the past two decades, forward progress for women in the workforce has largely stalled. Women continue to earn far less than men. And workplace standards remain mired in outdated assumptions that most workers are men and most families have a full-time caregiver at home. Our children, families, businesses, and communities all pay the price for our failure to step up to the public policy needs of today’s working women.Full Report »

Recession Reaches Washington: A State Response

02.12.2009 | The recession has caught up with Washington. It is more important than ever that the state avoid drastic spending cuts that could feed the downward spiral. President Obama’s strategy to invest in infrastructure and a range of services shows more promise. Unfortunately, Washington State appears poised to repeat the mistakes of the last recession by slashing public services – and jobs – which could deepen and prolong the effects of the recession locally. Full Report »

The State of Working Washington 2008

09.15.2008 | A detailed look at how Washington's economy affects our state's working families, from job growth and wage increases to income inequality and the gender gap, with special sections on inflation, household budgets and child poverty - and economic policy prescriptions that can make a difference.