Your Ideas

When we speak to different groups across our great state, We talk about ideas of our own that we believe would improve the way that things are done in Olympia. Restoring the spending limits that were put in place when we passed Initiative 601 in 1993 would be a great way to curb the runaway spending that we are currently seeing in the legislature. Additionally, reducing the 50 health care mandates that insurance companies have to comply with in order to do business in Washington would bring many more companies here to compete for your business and, in turn, would reduce premiums that we all pay.

But this web site is not about our ideas, it's about yours. We have posted a sampling of some of your ideas: original thinking that will advance our goal of making Washington a better place for all of us. The Forward Washington Foundation does not endorse these ideas; we are only posting the ideas brought to us by the citizens of Washington. They are broken down by subject for your convenience. Please check back often, as more ideas will be added all the time. Thank you again for visiting.

The Washington Idea Bank: Make Your Deposit Today!

Steven from Kirkland writes:

Convert Sound Transit into an agency with an elected board of directors instead of appointed as it is now. With members added or removed based on their support for the "machine," we have no real accountability or responsibility for protecting the public interest. Current board members have little risk of being voted out of office in their city or county council seats because of their actions on the Sound Transit Board. If it were a directly elected body, they would be directly accountable to the people and would be replaced if they didn't look out for the peoples' best interest. There should be a board set up with a diversity of interests. On member elected by Tacoma, Seattle, Everett, Suburban Pierce, King, and Snohomish Counties, and all cities with significant population or economic centers (Renton, Bellevue, ect). It would be even better if a new agency were set up to be responsible for all transportation and transit projects in the region and Sound Transit be merged into that agency with it of course having an elected board. This would end the roads vrs transit battles and require intelligent planning of projects.

Ken from Seattle writes:

Our state would benefit by looking at its overall sales tax approach. Why does an attorney, accountant, real estate agent, banker, and others all offer services without adding sales tax, while a mechanic, cleaner, and other more everyday trades have to add it to their services? I propose that all enterprises be taxed at the same rate, and to ensure a revenue neutral approach, reset the rates to take into account this adjustment. What is now a 9.8% rate may adjust down to a much lesser rate. Another benefit of this thought is that it allows for a realistic reconsideration of eliminating the B&O taxes. I would also propose doing the same thing with property taxes so that all property owners participate in sharing the cost of the infrastructure. When all nonprofits, governments etc. pay their share, then the overall rate will also decline, and all will pay for services provided.

Mark from Bothell writes:

Problem: Thousands of people without car insurance; higher auto insurance premiums to pay for uninsured motorist coverage Facts: In the 80's, DMV used to require that all who registered their vehicles required to show their insurance card. This did not prevent some people from buying short term insurance and then cancelling. However, things were in control. Not any longer. Problem-Bodily injury attorneys love people without insurance on the road. If uninsured motorists are victims of auto accidents, they are entitled to full 100% pain and suffering. They should not be on the road to begin with. Its big business running our state again, and dictating policy. Solution: Require all registering their cards to prove they are insured at time of registration. Enforce people who terminate their coverage to stop driving with heavier fines and jail time. They are driving potential weapons, and this needs to be under control.

Daniel from Olalla writes:

Change the law in regards to HOV lanes. All HOV lanes should open to single occupancy vehicles on weekends. Hov lanes could be in effect during the work week rush hours, such as 6:00am to 9:00 am, and 3:00pm to 6:00pm. The rest of that day, HOV would be open to single occupancy vehicles.

Marilyn from Shelton writes:

I would like to see a change in the property tax structure. I know persons that have to sell their property because they can't pay the increase in property taxes. We truly need something like prop 13 in California where the yearly increase is tied to the consumer price index or 1%. It is a true waste of tax dollars to have appraisers check out each property during a re-evaluation year. Use of building permits, property sales or change of owership should be the only factors triggering an appraiser to physically inspect the property. An appraiser's valuation of a property is only as one individual sees it, not by a set of defined standards. Our current property tax structure penalizes the property owner that wants to improve or keep their property in good condition and remain in their home.

Susan from Pullman writes:

The state should pay outside of the union scale for science and math teachers. If our math and science scores are so low, maybe we need to be more competitive with the private sector in recruiting those individuals who excel in those fields.

David from Spokane writes:

Washington should create a unified court system like California, where all courts are funded by the state. Small counties cannot afford to fund prosecution, public defenders, or the court system itself. Often times, they cut a deal because they don't have the resources to prosecute a winnable case. In addition, the parole system worked better than the sentencing we have now.

Jon from Kelso writes:

There are many tax breaks for college to assist people in furthering their education. Montessori type programs do not qualify but these programs do prepare students for schooling. Providing tax credits would allow low socio-economic families the ability to get their children a step up.

Dorothy from Longview writes:

Open HOV lanes to hybrid cars with only one occupant

Shannon from Kalama writes:

As part of a study, the state should ask for all contractors to submit an alternate bid without the Davis Bacon Prevailing Wage to study the cost tax payers are burdened with. This would be an attempt to try to manage quality control on DOT projects. Standards and specifications should control QC instead of wage.

Craig from Longview writes:

The state needs to fully fund the Family Caregiver Support Program so seniors & adults with disabilities can be cared for at home by their loved ones and thus aviod being institutionalized, which would cost taxpayers more in the long run.

Keath from Kelso writes:

Washington should become a national leader on nuclear energy and begin to loosen our dependence on hydro power. This would also allow for more flexibility concerning fish and habitat.

Dale from Sammamish writes:

Our State taxes are excessive, and the legislature is subverting the will of the people by working around I-601. I propose an initiative (or bill if one could ever be passed) that would prohibit the state from spending more in the current year than the income received in the previous year. This would create a reserve in fat years that could be utilized in lean years, and would put a cap on state spending. This incredibly simple mechanism would, by its nature, require that the legislature prioritize state expenditures within a LIMITED pool of funds.

Kaj from Port Angeles writes:

The state should reduce or eliminate the minimum mandates for items health insurance has to cover, which would allow for more affordable health insurance.

Jacques from Sequim writes:

Stagger the time of when taxes are due and offer discount for early payment. The discounts could be applied as follows: 5% in Dec., 4% in Jan., 3% in Feb., 2% in March, and 1% in April; with taxes due in May and increase penalty to 1% in June, 2% in July and so on.

Gene from Ferndale writes:

The state should sell the workers comp. program to private investors and invest the $7 billion surplus from the sale in transportation-related infrastructure improvements.

Kris from Bellingham writes:

The general fund should be abolished and separate funds should be re-established for education, roads, etc. Having all of the funds in one pot does not guarantee the proper dispersal of funds, and the funds are near impossible to track.

Ryan from Yakima writes:

Washington state should develop a merit-based system to pay teachers based on their success in the classroom, not on their length of service.

Peter from Yakima writes:

Schools throughout the state are having a lot of difficulty passing bond issues to pay for school construction. It seems that a majority of voters do not want to voluntarily raise their own taxes. As such, the students are suffering from outdated classrooms and school supplies. A solution to this problem is to fund all school construction from the general fund. A citizens committee could be appointed in order to approve the individual construction projects. Additional construction could be paid for by removing the prevailing wage requirement from school funding and also removing the requirement that the funds used for the construction be subjected to state sales tax.

susan from port angeles writes:

We really have alot of black ice here in washington. I suggest you hire some one to create a small thing that would resemble the green address markers people put on the side of the road to mark their house numbers. The marker would be colored white in wheather above freezing. At zero and below there would be a chemical reaction in the marker and it would turn to a black and white striped marker. It would be zebra for zero. You would place them on corners that often have accident because of black ice. They could be taller than the markers are now so they could be seen in higher snow. It would give people a reminder in the winter when we have the black ice to just be a bit more cautious. Thanks Susan

John from Vancouver writes:

School levies that are voted on by the electorate should require only a simple majority to pass instead of the 2/3 requirement that is often in place. Too often, a majority of residents of a school district support a levy, but the 2/3 threshold is too high to meet, so the levies fail. A simple majority would allow these levies to pass and new schools to be constructed.

Phill from Tacoma writes:

The state should provide free or reduced university tuition for combat veterans returning from conflicts abroad. This would keep these residents from leaving the state and would spur state-wide help economic growth.

Rebekah from Raymond writes:

The state should allow families that choose to homeschool their children or send them to private school to be exempt from educational-related taxes. This would allow more families to be able to afford an education best suited for their children.

Jason from Chehalis writes:

Too few teachers have college degrees in math and science, and it's hard to hire college graduates with math and science degrees because they can make so much more money out in private business. Lets raise the salary for math and science teachers to $100,000 per year if they have a college degree in math and science and their students are showing good progress on standardized tests like the WASL.

Victor from Bellingham writes:

More toll bridges and roads should be utilized. The 520 and I-90 bridges are good examples of this. The revenue generated from the tolls could be used to pay for new bridges. This would mean that taxpayers in other parts of the state would not have to pay for Seattle's bridges; only drivers that actually use the bridges would pay for them.

Aaron from Lummi Island writes:

Washington should sign reciprocity agreements with all 49 other states to allow all states to recognize each other's concealed carry permit laws for crime prevention. For example, I have a permit to carry a firearm here in Washington, but that permit does not apply when I travel to Oregon. If I'm a Washington resident, which allows concealed carry permits, I should be able to protect myself no matter where I travel. The states need to get together and recognize the laws of their neighbors.

Robin from Ferndale writes:

The government should look into privatizing some of its functions, because it could save money and the private sector could probably do a better job. The ferry system is the best example of this. Washington should privatize its ferry system immediately.

Sandy from Bellingham writes:

Campaigns should only last sixty days from the time that candidates declare to election day. Today's campaigns seem to go on forever. If the campaigns were shorter, the elected officials could work on the major problems of our country instead of always campaigning to get re-elected.

Mary from Bellingham writes:

Do away with mail voting except for the handicap.

Sherry from Ferndale writes:

Indian-owned businesses such as gas stations, liquor stores and cigarette shops should have to pay more in taxes. They use the same services and roads as non-tribal members, so they should pay the same taxes.

Bill from Bellingham writes:

Re-instate the voter-approved spending limits established by I-601

Robin from Ferndale writes:

AG lawsuits against Tabacco Companies should be required to use awards exclusively for cancer prevention camapaigns and caring for smoking victims. Any time the state receives an award for something that harms public, the award should have to be used for remediation and not put into the General Fund.

Charles from Graham writes:

I would like to see a tax and fee breakdown for gasoline posted on every gas pump in the state. This would help people see what their legislature is doing to / for them.

Elisabeth from Bellingham writes:

I own a residential and commercial loan office in Bellingham, WA. I am very concerned about the damage pre-pay penalties are doing to families in the state of Washington. I would like to see legislation introduced that would make pre-pays illegal, as they are in several other states. Pre-pay penalties are typically set at 6% of the loan amount. Pre-pay penalties typically run anywhere from two to five years. Predatory lending sites call pre-pay penalties equity stripping because they strip the property owners equity if the property owner needs to refinance in order to consolidate debt or sells the house because he/she needs to relocated to take another job. Pre-pay penalties are almost always added to sub-prime products which are used by high risk borrowers who may have a higher rate of default than other borrowers. Sub prime products have higher interest rates and adjustment rates once the 2 year fixed period ends and the loan begins to adjust. Personally, I do not think that it is fair to penalize borrowers with higher rates and pre-pay penalties. As a society, we should be able to provide borrowers with fair loans that allow them to purchase a home without creating an environment that in many cases guarantees a borrower will go into default. The legislature could take the lead on this issue to make Washington a better place for all homeowners and borrowers.

Debbie writes:

Food stamps and other government assistance should come in the form of credit cards with pin numbers required. This will help reduce fraud within the system. The recipients need to give their fingerprint to sign up so there won't be so many duplicate checks.

Randy writes:

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife should change many of their rules to "guidelines" and provide their field workers with flexibility in enforcement where reason dictates. For example: DFW drainage system requirements, as interpreted by DFW officials, dictates replacement of existing 24" diameter pipe with a 48" diameter pipe even when the water then drops down 18" into a gulley and then flows through a smaller, County-owned, 18" culvert. All the water downstream then flows over an 18" drop into a gulley along the county road, and through an 18" concrete culvert under the county road. The environmental cost of a 48" culvert is 31 pounds of plastic per linear foot, and several gallons of spend diesel to transport and install. The result of all this unnecessary work is driving up the cost of business, home construction, and property maintenance. If the state had more flexibility in its guidelines, it could allow a more reasonably-sized culvert to be installed, which would save time and money for all involved.

Cathy from McCleary writes:

We need to start passenger service out of Paine Field in Everett. All we would have to do is build a terminal. One of the largest runways in the world is already there. If we were do to so, everyone from Shoreline to Vancouver, BC would fly out of there and not have to drive through downtown Seattle to get to SeaTac. Considering they spent one billion dollars to build an extra runway at SeaTac, and the traffic congestion in Seattle it would elevate, it would help solve several problems at one time. This is not a new idea, just one whose time has come.

Mrs. Marion from East Wenatchee writes:

I came from a "right to work" state. In WA state I cannot get a job for which I am highly qualified without being forced to join a union, something I refuse to do! To me, this is un-American and terrbily discriminatory. I have no problem with folks joining a union if that is their desire, but do not FORCE others to do so. If one is qualified and can do the work, let us have equal opportunity for jobs w/out having to join.

Sheryl from Wenatchee writes:

Taxes on property are getting to be overwhelming, especially for those of us who are reaching retirement age. As communities become populated (such as Chelan), folks who have lived there for generations are finding property taxes so high that often times they are forced to sell. Why not give a break to homeowners who are retirement age and adjust property taxes lower (to the purchase price) rather than the current assessed value, to enable them to stay in their homes.

Karyn from Orting writes:

Use the State's sheep and goat farmers and their working dogs to use the livestock to keep roadside grasses "mowed" and/or weeds trimmed in vacant lots or in fire-hazard areas. I saw a program May 2006 on Animal Planet about Working Dogs detailing a lady and her herd of sheep used by some Florida municipality. She drops off the sheep where huge weeds of some kind have taken over and her dog keeps the sheep where they are supposed to be and eat the weed which is a delicacy to them until there's nothing left. It would be quaint to see sheep lining the roads (at the triangle areas of on/off ramps) and it would allow the state to be "enviro friendly" by not using gas-powered mowers, as well as encouraging agri-awareness.

Karlon from Tacoma writes:

We need to be a more veteran friendly state. I just read an article about what's been done so far, and still can't figure out what they think they've accomplished. Many states are now offering free or 50% instate tuition for veterans of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. We don't. Instead, Washington gives free tuition exclusively to the children and spouse of our brave young folk who gave the ultimate sacrifice. But the ironic thing is that a majority of our troops are only 18-24 years old. Even if they have children, that's 16-18 years to wait until the benefit is useful, nevermind the fact that the way we are spending money it will probably be scrapped by then. The point is that we are driving these young folks who have sizable amounts of money for college to other states to get free tuition. For most people, this is $50,000 dollars each of federally paid money that could be spent in our economy. Instead it's heading down the road like many businesses are. The longterm benefits outweigh the cost. If we got only 1,000 of the troops who are getting out of the military (which is a very low objective) to stay in Washington and go to school, that's $50 million over three years in new income to the economy.

Craig from renton writes:

We need to find a way to de regulate the industry to a point where the consumer can pick out their health care plan from a broad system. Our monthly premiums would be based solely on the needs of the individual, i.e.; pre natal care is xx.xx of the premium; or eye care is xx.xx of the premium. This way we can chose our health care based on our individual needs as opposed to paying a large premium for things we do not need. Why should I pay for the person who is having children, when I have already had my children? My premium should go to preventative care, emergencies and whatever else my needs are based upon my age and health. The idea of paying a premium based solely on whatever rate your employer can negotiate needs to end.

Michele from Sammamish writes:

The service B&O tax rate (1.5 cents on the dollar) is three times the rate of the next lowest WA B&O tax rate (.5 cents on the dollar). This is outrageously unfair to service businesses and is not justifiable in any way. Let's make the service B&O rate at least equal to the next lower category to lessen the wide disparity between rates! I've been wanting this for a long time! There is no excuse to single out service businesses in WA with such a punitive tax!

Travis from Kenmore writes:

Open liquor distribution to the free market. Washington has the best beer and wine producers in the country resulting in a thriving industry. But our archaic system for liquor sales is slightly better than Pennsylvania and Utah. Small producers can't sell in the state meaning that only large international corporations can deal with the WSLCB. It can still be taxed as highly, but there is no reason at all for the state to be in this business, or any business.

Brian from Lynnwood writes:

Washington State Laws Do you know how many laws there are in Washington State? Neither does anyone I know. That is something I think we ought to change. We spend so much time in congress making new laws that we never assign them to go check out all the laws already written and either strike them from the record, or rewrite them to make them relevant in today's world. I believe Washington State ought to strive toward "Law Simplification" and reduce the amount of laws in the State to a manageable level. The citizens of the State ought to know how many laws there are. They also ought to know what the law is. It's time to do a full state-wide review of current laws and rewrite the ones that aren't relevant or strike them from the record; combine the ones that are similar in nature; and strike from the record those laws that no longer apply to daily life. For instance, it's still against the law in Washington State to cross a bridge in a horse pulled wagon without getting off the wagon and waving the lantern from side to side a few times before proceeding! This law is funny today, but has no place in our legal system. Weed out the laws. Simplify them. Then educate everyone as to what the laws are in Washington State, because few know more than a handful.

Kim from Poulsbo writes:

West Virginia and many other states have addressed the problem of High School Drop Outs by revoking driver's licenses to anyone under 18 who either drop out of school or get failing grades. It's been in place for many years. I remember watching a news report on it(many years ago). West Virginia was shock and amazed with the first years results. I don't remember the exact percentage, but I think they had at least a 30% decrease in the drop out rate. To a teenager, just the thought of losing their license (their freedom) was incomprehensible. One teenage boy challenged the law in court, he lost. The judge told him that driving was a privilege, not a right. A follow up on this boy revealed that both he and his pregnant girlfriend graduated from high school the next year. (He wanted to drop out to get a job and support the baby, she wanted to stay home with the baby. The state helped her with daycare so she could attend school). We need educated people in Washington, these kids are our States future. We need to do what ever it takes to give them an opportunity to be qualified great paying jobs/careers, not just low paying jobs. Sincerely, Kim Leeming

Mark writes:

We need a single state "transportation" tzar. An individual appointed by the governor who serves as the CEO of the state's transportation needs and oversees all the hundreds of committees that are involved in transportation decisions. Each county also has their 'tzar' who report directly to the states CEO. The buck starts and stops with the tzar. Bottom line, we need specific accountability for transportation decisions, intiative and action.

Annette writes:

Let people buy bright florecent orange license plates that cost $500 or more to use the 2+ passanger lane that are good for only one year and for one vehicle when there is only one person in the vehicle. The next year, make it bright florecent green. The next another color. Then when there is enough money to build wider freeways, build another 2+ passenger lane that will cost $500 to use and make the existing 2+ passenger lane a non-express lane. All buses, motorcycles and 2+ people can still use the 2+ passenger lane. If caught using 2+ passenger lane without being a bus, motorcycle or 2+ passenger car or special license plate, the fine should be $250. It might make more people want to just buy the license plate. These license plates would be easily spotted if someone steals them because there won't be a lot of them. If too many people are buying them, the next year make them more expensive. This will get the money more quickly to widen the ever-worsening problem with our roads.

Jan from Medina writes:

If the state of Washington wants to keep companies and retirees in this state, it should rescind the estate tax which was reinstated by Gov. Gregoire. The tax is very unfair and is one reason many people are moving out-of-state, taking their businesses, assets & income with them. It is more a drain than a producer of income for the state and is very unfair to retirees who have already paid taxes on their assets. It is also unfair to owners of businesses who might want to leave it to their heirs. The deduction for those who own farms is unfair to those who own a small business and are just as deserving of a deduction.

Jerry from Maple Valley writes:

A state-level office of transportation czar should be created to coordinate all aspects of transportation, buses, rail, ferry and highway. The system right now is fragmented and causes each entity to compete for the taxpayers dollars resulting in waste, duplication and an ineffectual policy. One central clearing house to prioritize and coordinate would result in more effective problem solving.

Don writes:

Offer tax incentives to businesses that will offer flexible working hours to their employees so that everyone isn't on the road at the same time. The company that I work for does this and I think it's great. I go to work after the morning traffic has eased, and come home later in the day after the HOV lanes open up on 520 and 405.

Brian from Lynnwood writes:

The state should create a Senior Citizen Apprenticeship Program. I've always felt that society as a whole is losing a great opportunity to learn from the very people that already have the knowledge...Senior Citizens! I think the State ought to put together a program where Seniors can volunteer to teach younger people their skills. Imagine a woman with detailed knowledge of plants and gardens teaching that valuable information to others who could use it. Imagine a man that has spent his life as a carpenter teaching others his skills. Imagine meeting up at a city park to learn the different trees and uses for them aside from lumber. I'm a huge fan of after school programs and think this could be something great. It's sad that we tend to overlook Senior Citizens when they are repositories of valuable knowledge eager to share it with others. By teaching more citizens their skills and by creating an official Apprenticeship program, we Washingtonians can pass on valuable knowledge to future generations. If done state-wide, this could really improve learning and social interaction in our State.

Mark writes:

There is an old saying that a government's level of corruption is directly proportional to the number of laws it has on the books. Every legislative session hundreds of new laws are proposed by people looking to leave a legacy. Here's my idea: before a legislator can propose one new law to be put on the books, they must first identify two to be removed.

Scott from Seattle writes:

It's time to end state run liquor stores and allow all merchants to be able to get a license to sell liqour. Under the current system there are only 22 stores in Seattle (there are over 70 places to buy liqour in Yuma, AZ - population 122,000). There is not one store in Lake City (Seattle neighborhood of good size). The stores have terrible selection, are in run down buildings and have rude service. It's time for a change! I tell all that I meet, it must be very much like a Russian grocery store in the U.S.S.R. just before the fall of communism. In fact the current system smells of communism.

Daniel from Port Orchard writes:

The other day it took me 2-1/2 hours to drive 60 miles starting at 4:30PM - all on interstate or state highway routes (405->I5->16). That's an average of less than 30mph on roads the average speed limit is 60mph. The billions being spent in this State will NEVER relieve this type of congestion as there are just to many people living in a small geographic area (Puget Sound) now. As I was sitting in traffic I was thinking if I were driving this route at 9:00PM that it would only have taken me under 1 hour! Why don't more businesses take advantage of this fact and tailor their business practices or parts of their business to have workers work at night - thus shifting as many workers as possible to "off-peak" commuter times. If you think about the potential impacts of taking thousands of commuters and shifting them to a evening commute to work - that alone could make a significant dent in commute times, save fuel, reduce accidents....etc. So why not get some type of incentives package for businesses to look at moving non-daytime essential jobs to off peak times through some type of tax credits or other perks. I like the thought of taking 30,000 commuters off the roads during peak travel hours without forcing public transportation and it's extremely high costs down the taxpayers throats. What we don't need is more and more taxes to try and fix something that can't be fixed - working and traffic patterns need to change to take advantage of the roads not being used at night time. It will be a cultural change for some - but showing someone they can gain another 1 to 2 hours a day NOT sitting in traffic I bet people that could would do it in a heartbeat.